PAWTUCKET, R.I. (AP) – Five years of managing in the lower minor leagues for the Boston Red Sox organization paid off for Ron Johnson on Friday, when he was named skipper of Triple-A Pawtucket.

The 48-year-old Johnson has spent 27 years in pro ball, including the last 13 as a minor-league manager, first with the Kansas City organization and then Boston.

He began with Boston in 2000 as manager of the Single-A Sarasota Red Sox.

He spent the past three years at the Double-A level, spending one season in Trenton, N.J., before the team moved to Portland, Maine.

“He’s a really good guy,” said PawSox hitting coach Mark Budaska, who worked with Johnson in Portland.

Johnson replaces Buddy Bailey as manager of the Red Sox’ top minor-league affiliate.