10/30 Johnson named pitching coordinator

The Cubs officially named Vanderbilt pitching coach Derek Johnson as the new Minor League pitching coordinator on Tuesday.  Johnson, 41, spent the last 11 seasons as the Commodores pitching coach, including the last three as an associate head coach/pitching coach. He earned National Pitching Coach of the Year honors in 2004 and National Assistant Coach of the Year honors in 2010.

In 2011, Johnson guided Vanderbilt to the school’s first-ever College World Series appearance. Eight of the team’s pitchers were selected in the First-Year Player Draft, including a pair of first round/supplemental first-round pitchers, Sonny Gray and Grayson Garvin. Johnson has helped develop six pitchers who were selected in the first round/supplemental first round of the Draft, including David Price, who was picked first overall by the Rays in 2007.

Johnson replaces Dennis Lewallyn, who just completed his second year as the Cubs’ Minor League pitching coordinator and sixth with the team. Lewallyn was reportedly joining the Braves as a Minor League pitching coach.

– Carrie Muskat