Josh Johnson  •  RHP  •  Mississippi State •  Sophomore

2004: Impressive young hurler from the Mississippi prep ranks eager to challenge for playing time as a true freshman • Displayed solid raw arm strength while working to gain command of his off-speed pitches during a successful fall campaign at State • Among 19 players listed as freshmen on the MSU roster. He went 5-1 with a 4.06 ERA in 2004, striking out 43 batters in 51 innings of work and walking just 15.

High School: Four-year pitching standout for coach Kent Farris at Caledonia High School • Posted a 5-5 mound record with a 2.50 earned run average and 95 strikeouts as a senior • First-team Mississippi Association of Coaches All-State and Jackson Clarion-Ledger "Dandy Dozen" selection in 2003 • Earned Commercial Dispatch All-Area honors for the fourth season • Also hit .413 with three home runs and 29 RBI • 2003 Louisville Slugger Preseason All-American • Selected to compete in both the Crossroads Diamond Club All-Star Game and the NEMCABB All-Star Game • As a junior posted an 8-3 record with a 1.18 ERA and 126 strikeouts • Named to the 2002 all-district team • Starred for the West Point-based Bryan Packers summer league team • Helped lead coach Frank Portera's squad to the championship of 2002 American Legion World Series in Danville, Va. • Named to the ALWS all-tournament team, tabbed as the tournament MVP and named the recipient of the Bob Feller Pitching Award • Notched an 8-3 record as a sophomore and as a freshman was a member of the 2000 North State championship team • Member of the National Beta Club, the National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta and active in CHS's chapter of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

Personal: Born Joshua Gayden Johnson on October 6, 1984, in Amory, Miss. • Son of Gayden and June Johnson of Caledonia, Miss. • Majoring in Landscape Architecture.