Carter had decent numbers in college going 12-6 with a 3.66 ERA and he was slotted as a player that could become a bottom of the order starting pitcher in a few years. In April of 2001 he was named as the 69th best prospect in the MBWBA. That year in rookie ball he went 4-3 with a sparkling 1.82 ERA in Calgary's farm system. He was then rated the 12th best prospect. Johnny was rushed to AA ball for 2002 where he struggled and went 4-17 with a 3.95 ERA. The next year, while getting ready for spring training, Johnny injured his finger tendon and was placed in the disabled list for 4 months. He came back and pitched in a few games for Calgary's AA team. During the 2003-2004 offseason he was left unprotected in the Rule V draft and Johnny caught his break by being selected by Hawaii with the 4th pick of the 1st round.
In 2004, after a brief stop at Hawaii's AAA Death Valley squad, Carter was brought up to Hawaii's big league team and has stayed there since. Originally a reliever/spot starter for Hawaii in which role he logged 72 and 76 innings in 2004 and 2005 Carter was asked to start in 2006 when he went 12-11 with a 3.86 ERA. Good stats to be sure. Then he defied everyone and went 15-6 with a 3.84 ERA in 2007. This season he has been brilliant, going 11-1 with a paltry 2.88 ERA.
Johnny has defied all odds to get to where he is today and through hard work and effort has made that Rule V decision by Hawaii one of their best moves.
