March 09--GLENDALE, Ariz. -- White Sox right-hander Erik Johnson used the offseason as a "reset button" -- a chance to clear his head and figure out what needs to be done to make a turnaround this spring.
The once highly touted Sox prospect started 2014 as the club's fifth starter but was demoted after posting a 6.46 ERA in five starts. He spent most of the rest of the year trying to figure out what was wrong, going 5-7 with a 6.73 ERA in Triple-A Charlotte.
"I wasn't efficient through my arm path and I was having trouble repeating my delivery," Johnson said. "It was difficult. I was throwing a bunch of stuff this way and that way and trying to figure it out, and there wasn't one bullpen or throwing session where I wasn't trying to improve.
"I didn't know what I needed to do. I didn't know exactly the pinpoints I needed to cover. I think I got a better foundation (in the offseason) of what I need to do and how to get better."
The Sox have made a point when talking about Johnson that some pitchers need a couple of big league shots before they find success, and Johnson said it is helpful this spring to have several coaches to keep an eye on his progress.
He pitched two innings without giving up a hit or a run in a B game against the Rockies on Saturday. He had a walk and three strikeouts.
"It feels good they have my back, and they know it's a learning process," Johnson said. "A lot of guys come back and forth, and a lot of guys have trouble sticking. I'm here to learn and keep improving and keep adjusting."
