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Player Spotlight: RHP A.J. Johnson (Blue Valley, 2016)

August 19, 2015

Shon Plack
Kansas Scouting Director

A.J. Johnson (Blue Valley, 2016) is an uncommitted 6-foot-1 180-pound right-handed pitcher.  He posted one of the top right-handed pitching velos of the Class of 2016 Games on Aug. 5 in Emporia.

Johnson is one of the top uncommitted arms in Kansas.  He has a igh knee lift from wind-up, tucks at balance point, and has a three-quarters slot.  His arm works,  and he has an athletic finish. Johnson has a simple delivery with rhythm and flow, getting out front with ease and pounds bottom of the strike zone with fastball, 84-86 mph, tops out at 87. Johnson has command of breaking ball with 11/5 to 12/6 shape, 70-72 mph. Change-up 75-76 mph. All-in-all he is an easy-armed righty with an athletic frame and delivery, more in the tank velocity-wise.

Johnson is playing fall baseball with Building Champions and preparing for college visits over the next few months.  Here is a look at what is going on for Johnson.

PBR: Are you looking for anything in particular in a school? (Example: high academics, certain academic program, local, etc.)

Johnson: I’m looking for a 4 year university where I will have the opportunity to play baseball beginning my Freshman year and where I can develop into the best pitcher I can be.  I would like to find a school that is in the Midwest that is solid academically as well.  I plan to study Business in college.

PBR: How did you do your junior year? What were your high school statistics? And how did your team do? Name some players that will play a key role for your team in 2016.

Johnson: I had a successful junior year in high school primarily as a starting pitcher for the Junior Varsity.  Unfortunately, my playing time on the Varsity squad was limited due to 3 D1 starting pitchers on the roster ahead of me.  I had a high strike percentage (70%) as well as a high strikeout to walk ratio (2.5:1).  My Varsity outings were limited but were successful as well.  We lost in Regionals and didn’t make it to State.  A few of our key players for the 2016 season will be Gunner Halter, Tanner Fox, Will Brennan, Jared Demmel, & Nathan Huber.

PBR: What are you goals for your senior season?

Johnson: To be in the starting rotation, increase my strength & velocity (get to 90 mph), continue to develop into a better pitcher and help my team win a State Championship.

PBR: What travel team do you play for? Are you playing fall ball with a team?

Johnson: I played for Building Champions on Shane Halter’s team as a starting pitcher.  My summer ERA was 1.4.  I am playing fall ball with Building Champions as well.

PBR: Do you play any other sports?

Johnson: I played basketball my Freshman and Sophomore years but decided to focus on baseball my Junior and Senior years.

PBR: What are your ACT and GPA?

Johnson: My current GPA is 3.3 and my ACT score is 22.  I am taking the ACT again in September or October and my goal is to achieve a score of 25.

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