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Red Sox take LHP Brian Johnson at No. 31

Print | Comments () Posted by Peter Abraham, Globe Staff June 4, 2012 10:22 PM

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By Peter Abraham, Globe Staff

The Red Sox gained the No. 31 pick of the draft from the Phillies as compensation for Jonathan Papelbon. They used it to select University of Florida lefthander Brian Johnson.

Johnson, who also plays first base, is one of the best two-way players in college baseball. The 6-foot-3, 235-pounder from Cocoa Beach, Fla., was 8-4 with a 3.56 ERA in 16 starts for the Gators. Over 86 innings, he allowed 79 hits, walked 15 and struck out 68.

As a hitter, Johnson had a .310/.350/.455 season with five homers and 40 RBIs in 187 at-bats.

Johnson was with Team USA the last two summers, more as a hitter than a pitcher. He also played for the Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox of the Cape Cod League. Johnson was 2-0 with a 4.30 ERA in three starts and 14.2 innings. He struck out 19.