The 2024 second-round draft pick is in line to be the first Angels player to debut without playing a minor-league game since Jim Abbott in 1989. Mickey Moniak, Jose Quijada and Angel Perdomo are

Johnson, 22, was selected out of Dallas Baptist. In his junior year, 2024, he was 11-3 with a 2.21 ERA, 0.92 WHIP and 151 strikeouts against only 14 walks. He did not pitch in the minor leagues last season after being drafted and signing with the Angels. This spring, Johnson worked 11 ⅓ innings, striking out 10 and posting a 3.97 ERA.

Angels right-hander Ryan Johnson is expected to become just the 24th player since the advent of the MLB draft to play in the big leagues without a minor league appearance, sources told ESPN's Jeff Passan.