Adam Johnson

[William Malone]

Adam Bryant Johnson was born on July 12, 1979 in San Jose, California.

The Minnesota Twins drafted him with the second overall pick in 2000 out of Cal State Fullerton. He flew up their minor league system, and was called up right after the All-Star break in 2001. Johnson allowed three runs over six innings in a solid Major League debut, but was sent back down to the minors after a few lesser outings. Minnesota recalled him in September to work out of the bullpen. He finished that season with an 8.28 ERA over 25.0 innings at the big league level.

Johnson had an infamous altercation with rookie manager Ron Gardenhire during spring training in 2002. When Gardenhire informed Johnson he wouldn't make the Opening Day roster, he tore up his assignment papers and angrily stormed out of the manager's office.

 

Quote

"Out of all the people who came in here this morning, everyone of them who left shook my hand. Except [Adam Johnson]. He started tearing up his papers when he walked out. To me, that's immaturity. I was disappointed. We've got too many classy people in this clubhouse, too many people who work too hard." - Twins manager Ron Gardenhire on telling Adam Johnson that he wouldn't break camp with the team

He spent all of 2002 in Triple-A, going 13-8 with a 5.47 ERA in 27 starts. Johnson went 6-11 with a 5.35 ERA at the Triple-A level in 2003, finally getting recalled to the Majors when the rosters expanded in September. He made two relief appearances for the Twins, allowing seven earned runs over 1.1 innings. This was the final big league action of his career. He continued to pitch professionally until 2009.

Johnson was widely considered a draft bust, as were many top picks from 2000. Only six of the top 30 picks from that draft class have a positive bWAR in their big league careers. 14 of them didn't even reach the Majors.

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