Florida Marlins Ace Josh Johnson Continues To Fly Under Radar

Florida Marlins pitcher Josh Johnson is making a solid case that he is now the best pitcher in baseball as yesterday he took a no-hitter into the sixth inning, the third time he has done so already this season.

Playing for the Marlins, a team that draws only a few thousand on any given night, Johnson does not get the national attention or recognition he deserves. If it were not for a shoulder injury that sidelined him for the end of last season, it is likely that Johnson would have won the National League Cy Young award as he led the majors with a 2.30 ERA. Once Johnson fell out of Cy Young contention, the race was between Tim Lincecum and Roy Halladay, both players who, unlike Johnson, were in the national spotlight.

Lincecum, who won the award in 2009, had a 16-10 record last season and a 3.43 ERA leading the Giants to a World Series title. Halladay received the award after being dealt from the Blue Jays to the Phillies prior to last season. As part of the H₂0 combination that led the Phillies to the NLCS, Halladay had a 21-10 record and a 2.44 ERA, including a perfect game.

Johnson is off to a tremendous start this year despite his lack of run support, which has resulted in two no-decisions. He is 3-0 with a 1.06 ERA and a 0.65 WHIP through five starts. Johnson has been especially dominant against right handed batters as they are a combined 3 of 42 against the Marlins ace.

Prior to last season Johnson signed a four-year, $39 million extension in which he receives $7.75 million this year and $13.75 million in each of the next two seasons. Although this is a large salary for the Marlins, he is still underpaid compared to other top pitchers in the league, so if the Marlins are to fall out of contention early, I would not be surprised to see him dealt before the trading deadline, similar to the Cliff Lee deals each of the past two seasons.