Top 20 PBA Bowlers 2023: #13 - A.J. Johnson
A.J. Johnson and his powerful swing. Photo Credit: PBA Tour
It feels like A.J. Johnson has done it all in the PBA. He consistently qualifies for the playoffs yearly, he constantly places top 15 in the tour point rankings, he routinely makes major stepladders, and he has even won an Elias Cup with the Silver Lake Atom Splitters.
There is one thing however that has eluded Johnson. This of course being a national tour title.
There are plenty of talks about who the best bowlers are who do not have a title in their trophy case. Previously mentioned bowlers on this list like Brad Miller and Packy Hanrahan definitely make most peoples’ top five lists, with others like A.J. Chapman and Martin Larsen getting plenty of press. While there is debate to be had about where these bowlers rank, there is little debate that A.J. Johnson belongs at the top of the list.
A.J. Johnson is a freak athlete. He looks like he could dominate any sport if he put his mind to it. He is a former football player, and he attacks the lane with that ferocity.
Johnson has one of the highest one handed rev-rates on the tour, with numbers comparable to E.J. Tackett. He throws the ball with immense power, and wears his emotions on his sleeves. He is one of the most exciting players to watch, and while his outbursts have led to some deeming him a villain of the tour, those that are true fans of the sport cannot help but root for him.
The 2022 season for A.J. Johnson was both sensational and disappointing. He bowled in three major telecasts, the Midwest region finals for the Players’ Championship, the US Open and the USBC Masters. In each of these events, he outpaced many of the best bowlers on the planet. Unfortunately for Johnson however, the telecasts ended in dismay, as he finished fourth in the two USBC events and third in the Midwest regional.
Arguably the most entertaining stretch of the tour season for Johnson was his run with partner Tim Mack at the Roth/Holman Doubles championship. This duo was not a pairing that anybody expected to see compete, yet they kept their names in contention deep into the event’s proceedings. Johnson was one of the most dominant performers over the stretch of games, and while Tim Mack is past his prime, he ended up carrying his weight in the matches bowled. At one point, the duo achieved the impossible, a ‘baker’ style 300.
A.J. Johnson’s story reflects the harsh reality of professional bowling. Winning the big titles and the big money often comes down to one match. Players can perform electrically in thirty qualifying matches, but can fall at the worst time when the lights shine brightest. The goal for A.J. Johnson needs to be overcoming the barriers of stepladder finals.
In order to achieve this goal, Johnson has consulted with one of the most prestigious bowling coaches, Mark Baker. Many of the adjustments to Johnson’s game were apparent in his final four run at the PBA Playoffs, an event where he was knocked out by former idol and current rival, Tommy Jones.
There are many storylines worth following leading up to the 2023 PBA season, but honestly, we here at The Stone 8 think that Johnson’s title run stacks among the most fascinating narratives of the tour year. There will be plenty of opportunities for Johnson to take home the hardware this year, the question remains, will he do it?
2022 Stats:
Titles: 0 (0 career)
Highest Finish: 4th (US Open, USBC Masters, PBA Playoffs)
Tour Points: 13,375
Earnings: $92,700
Average: 219.58