The main thing I'm trying to sell him on is to go out there mentally ready. Jump start the brain.

He proved last year he can handle the pressure. He's very competitive and driven.

I'd rather err on the side of caution. He says he feels great.

His command is starting to come around. The painful thing is we don't have a farm club to send him to, to do rehab starts. His stuff is outstanding. Every time we send him out there, we think this is the time we're going to see the real Kris Johnson.

Overall, I think it's been really good. That's an expectation here. Our goal every year is to have the best and deepest pitching staff in the country, so we expect them to be successful.

He should be as good as any freshman in the country. He should have the mindset to go out there and throw up zeroes; I think he has that mentality.

Guys are doing what they're suppose to, so hopefully they keep gaining confidence as we go along. You never want to get too comfortable. You just have to stay focused and lock in. I always tell guys that the best competition is within the pitching staff.

He needs to pitch like a fifth-year senior for us.

He fought through this most of his career. He's not an excuse-maker, but I've got to believe his arm was just hanging.

He would love to be the opening starter, and he proved last year he can handle pressure.