After the first two weeks of the season, the Brooklyn Cyclones have shown flashes of brilliance. Offensively the team has a very strong lineup, and in the field the players have been nearly flawless. Pitching wise the staff has yet to be consistent, but Cyclones pitching coach Hector Berrios feels that he has a strong staff.
In the second week of the young season, Zac Lutz continued his torrid hitting and finished the week batting.344 with 11 hits in 32 at bats. With a start like this Lutz was by far the offensive player of the week, but he wasn’t the only Cyclones player who shined. Our pick for “Player of the Week” goes to pitcher Jimmy Johnson.
So far in this young season Jimmy Johnson has been sensational. In fact with his 3-0 record Johnson has won half of the Cyclones 6 victories. Pitching in middle relief Johnson has appeared in 5 games and compiled a .000 ERA. In 5.2 innings of work the left hander has allowed only 4 hits, 1 walk while recording 6 strikeouts.
Prior to signing with the NY Mets in the 28th round of the 2008 draft, Johnson pitched for Biola University in California. In his collegiate career Johnson compiled a 23-11 record with a 4.56 ERA and 228 strikeouts. In 2008 Johnson was 9-3 and recorded a 4.80 ERA. In 99.1 innings of work Johnson had 83 strikeouts while issuing only 25 walks.
So far in his first professional season Johnson has continued the mastery that he shown in college.
“I’ve been very impressed by Jimmy Johnson,” said Brooklyn Cyclones pitching coach Hector Berrios. “He has poise and confidence, and he is always ready to take the ball. He is the kind of player that I like to have on my staff.”
Johnson, meanwhile, has enjoyed his time in Brooklyn.
“Growing up in California, I heard a lot about Brooklyn, and I hope that I can get a chance to explore the city and really see what it is all about,” he said. “As far as pitching for Cyclones is concerned, it’s been a great experience for me and I hope to show the staff and the fans with I have to offer.”
It’s highly unlikely that the pitcher will go the entire season with a .000 ERA, but if he keeps his walks to a minimum and pitches the way he has shown in the early going of the season, Johnson will be an integral part of the 2008 Brooklyn Cyclones.
