Johnson signs with White Sox for $127,600

Former IU second baseman Micah Johnson has signed with the Chicago White Sox for $127,600, according to Baseball America.

The White Sox selected Johnson, a junior and pre-season All-American, with their ninth-round pick (291st overall) in the 2012 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft on June 5.

Johnson had elbow surgery March 7 that limited him to 24 games in 2012. For the season, he hit .212 with one home run and 10 RBI. He was 7-for-9 in stolen bases and scored 14 runs.

During his three seasons at IU, he combined for a .308 batting average, 32 stolen bases in 40 attempts, 15 home runs and 86 RBI in 133 games.

As a freshman in 2010, Johnson hit .312 and had his best year from a power standpoint, slugging 11 home runs and driving in 42. He struggled at third base, though, posting a .909 fielding percentage and committing a career-high 17 errors.

In 2011, Johnson moved to second, where he drastically improved his defense and earned a spot on the All-Big Ten Second Team. He raised his fielding percentage to .954, 45 points higher than his 2010 percentage.

Offensively, Johnson raised his batting average by 23 points to .335 and his on-base percentage rose by 36 points to .402. He was also 19-of-22 in stolen bases.

The White Sox have drafted seven Hoosiers all-time and three since 2009 — Ethan Wilson and Michael Early in 2010, and Josh Phegley in 2009.

— Joe Popely