Prep Baseball Report

Brandon Johnson and Chris Elbrecht Choose Their Schools





By Blake Hibler

Scouting Director, PBR Indiana 

The similarities between Brandon Johnson and Chris Elbrecht are tough to argue. Both pitch in the mid to upper 80s and both throw wipe out breaking balls. Both project to be impact freshman right away out of the bullpen. Both entered the summer somewhat unknown and as the calendar turned to July they seemed to be two of the most talked about prospects on the circuit.

Brandon Johnson, from New Albany HS, is headed to Xavier. Johnson's decision came down to Xavier and Louisville. The 6-foot-2 righty is currently ranked 17th in the state. Johnson throws his fastball typically 86-88 and will top out at 89-90 most nights out. Johnson's separator is his breaking ball. He throws it hard, 77-78, and often. It shows good depth and Johnson is able to rack up strikeouts with it at any level.

The thing I like the most about Brandon however is his competitiveness. I love to see what pitcher's do when their back is against the wall. Johnson showed me what he could do earlier in the spring with the bases loaded and the tying run coming to bat and nobody out in the fourth, He preceded to punch out the next three hitters. The last batter he went 87,88,88 all three swing and misses. Johnson in that game was pitching more 84-85 and had not touched 88 prior to that inning. It showed his competitiveness and made me a believer he will have success at the next level. 

Chris Elbrecht from Park Tudor HS did what very few do. he walked into the Area Code work out and instantly made himself a hot topic in the recruiting circle. I saw Park Tudor play 4 times and never saw Chris throw, so he was without a doubt a mystery to us as a pitcher. I liked him at the plate and thought he had a chance to play at the next level as a hitter (I missed on that one). Elbrecht will be playing his college baseball at the University of Louisville. Elbrecht choose between Boston College, IU, Pitt, and Ball State. He did not visit two of the schools on his list prior to committing.

Elbrecht at the above workout was 84-87 and showed the 77 MPH slider. The slider is without a doubt the reason he became a hot name. It was the second best pitch at the area code workout behind Miniard's slider. Every college scout left the workout with Elbrecht's name circled. Elbrecht's next start had several more schools than any other outing for him in the summer. The righty came in relief and did not disappoint; throwing 4 innings, striking out 10, and touching 88. While he may still be raw, it proves the theory of the recruiting process happens differently for everyone.