Report: Ryan Johnson Makes Angels Roster; 2024 Draft Pick Hasn't Spent Time in MiLB

Los Angeles Angels pitcher Ryan Johnson achieved a rare feat on Tuesday.

Per ESPN's Jeff Passan, Johnson made the Angels roster despite spending no time in the minor leagues. The second-round pick in 2024 signed with Los Angeles for $1.75 million but did not pitch in the minors last year.

According to Passan, the last player to debut after spending no time in the minors was Garrett Crochet, who debuted for the Chicago White Sox in 2020.

Before Crochet's debut with no time in the minors, Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Mike Leake was the last player to go straight to the majors when he did it in 2010.

Johnson has impressed in spring training, recording 10 strikeouts, a 3.97 ERA and a 1.06 WHIP across 11.1 innings pitched. He's appeared in six games and started one.

Johnson came into the majors with lofty expectations following a fantastic career at Dallas Baptist. In his final season at the collegiate level, he notched a 2.21 ERA and a 0.915 WHIP across 16 starts, posting an 11-3 record.

After the outstanding season, the Angels used the compensatory pick they received for losing Shohei Ohtani in free agency to draft him.

Johnson was a starter in college but has mostly come out of the bullpen for the Angels in spring training. It's unclear whether Los Angeles will add him to the rotation or use him out of the bullpen to start the season.

Johnson now becomes the first player from the 2024 draft class to reach the majors, following a recent trend for Angels players. Los Angeles has produced the last four players to debut first from their respective draft class, with Chase Silseth (2021 draft), Zach Neto (2022), Nolan Schanuel (2023) and now Johnson (2024) all achieving that feat.