Prep Baseball Report

Ohio State Always Top Choice For Versatile Johnson


Bruce Hefflinger
PBR Ohio Senior Writer

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Ohio State Always Top Choice For Versatile Johnson

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Jake Johnson

Class of 2021 / SS

Player Information

  • Graduating Class: 2021
  • Primary Position: SS
    Secondary Position: RHP
  • High School: Medina
    State: OH
  • Summer Team: Release Baseball
  • Height: 6-0
    Weight: 190lbs
  • Bat/Throw: R/R

Statistics

Pitching
93
Max FB
(07/01/21)
89 - 93
FB
(07/01/21)
68 - 72
CB
(02/16/20)
74 - 77
CH
(02/16/20)
Pitching
Max FB
93
FB
89 - 93
CB
68 - 70
Pitching
Max FB
88
FB
87 - 88
CB
70 - 71
CH
69 - 71
Pitching
Max FB
89
FB
86 - 89
CB
68 - 72
CH
74 - 77
Pitching
Max FB
89
FB
85 - 89
CB
67 - 69
CH
72 - 74
Position
6.91
60-yard
(02/16/20)
92
INF Velo
(07/14/20)
94
Exit Velo
(07/14/20)
4.57
H-1st
(07/03/19)
Power Speed Score
(07/14/20)
Position
60-yard
7.03
INF Velo
92
Exit Velo
94
Power Speed Score
Position
60-yard
6.91
INF Velo
91
Exit Velo
91
Trackman - Fastball
88.6
Velocity (max)
(07/14/20)
83.9 - 88.5
Velo Range
(07/14/20)
87.4
Eff Velocity (avg)
(07/14/20)
2484
Spin Rate (max)
(07/14/20)
2221
Spin Rate (avg)
(07/14/20)
IVB (max)
(07/14/20)
IVB (avg)
(07/14/20)
HM (max)
(07/14/20)
HM (avg)
(07/14/20)
Extension (avg)
(07/14/20)
Release Ht (avg)
(07/14/20)
Spin Score (max)
(07/14/20)
Zone %
(07/14/20)
Trackman - Fastball
Velocity (max)
88.6
Velo Range
83.9 - 88.5
Eff Velocity (avg)
87.4
Spin Rate (max)
2484
Spin Rate (avg)
2221
IVB (max)
IVB (avg)
HM (max)
HM (avg)
Extension (avg)
Release Ht (avg)
Spin Score (max)
Zone %
Trackman - Curveball
72.6
Velocity (max)
(07/14/20)
68.5 - 71.8
Velo Range
(07/14/20)
70.2
Eff Velocity (avg)
(07/14/20)
2320
Spin Rate (max)
(07/14/20)
2179
Spin Rate (avg)
(07/14/20)
IVB (max)
(07/14/20)
IVB (avg)
(07/14/20)
HM (max)
(07/14/20)
HM (avg)
(07/14/20)
Extension (avg)
(07/14/20)
Release Ht (avg)
(07/14/20)
Spin Score (max)
(07/14/20)
Zone %
(07/14/20)
Trackman - Curveball
Velocity (max)
72.6
Velo Range
68.5 - 71.8
Eff Velocity (avg)
70.2
Spin Rate (max)
2320
Spin Rate (avg)
2179
IVB (max)
IVB (avg)
HM (max)
HM (avg)
Extension (avg)
Release Ht (avg)
Spin Score (max)
Zone %
Trackman - ChangeUp
71.3
Velocity (max)
(07/14/20)
67.8 - 70.4
Velo Range
(07/14/20)
69.5
Eff Velocity (avg)
(07/14/20)
2210
Spin Rate (max)
(07/14/20)
1639
Spin Rate (avg)
(07/14/20)
IVB (max)
(07/14/20)
IVB (avg)
(07/14/20)
HM (max)
(07/14/20)
HM (avg)
(07/14/20)
Extension (avg)
(07/14/20)
Release Ht (avg)
(07/14/20)
Spin Score (max)
(07/14/20)
Zone %
(07/14/20)
Trackman - ChangeUp
Velocity (max)
71.3
Velo Range
67.8 - 70.4
Eff Velocity (avg)
69.5
Spin Rate (max)
2210
Spin Rate (avg)
1639
IVB (max)
IVB (avg)
HM (max)
HM (avg)
Extension (avg)
Release Ht (avg)
Spin Score (max)
Zone %
Trackman - Hitting
94.5
Exit Velocity (max)
(07/14/20)
86.9
Exit Velocity (avg)
(07/14/20)
232
Distance (avg)
(07/14/20)
363
Distance (max)
(07/14/20)
Hard Hit %
(07/14/20)
Line Drive %
(07/14/20)
Fly Ball %
(07/14/20)
Ground Ball %
(07/14/20)
Trackman - Hitting
Exit Velocity (max)
94.5
Exit Velocity (avg)
86.9
Distance (avg)
232
Distance (max)
363
Hard Hit %
Line Drive %
Fly Ball %
Ground Ball %
Blast - Hitting
23.6
Hand Speed (max)
(07/14/20)
22.4
Hand Speed (avg)
(07/14/20)
77.7
Bat Speed (max)
(07/14/20)
68.4
Bat Speed (avg)
(07/14/20)
Rot. Acc (max)
(07/14/20)
Rot. Acc (avg)
(07/14/20)
On Plane Eff (avg)
(07/14/20)
MaxOnPlaneEfficiency
(07/14/20)
Blast - Hitting
Hand Speed (max)
23.6
Hand Speed (avg)
22.4
Bat Speed (max)
77.7
Bat Speed (avg)
68.4
Rot. Acc (max)
Rot. Acc (avg)
On Plane Eff (avg)
MaxOnPlaneEfficiency

Ohio State Always Top Choice For Versatile Johnson

MEDINA - Although the recruiting process was different than expected, the end result was what Jake Johnson hoped - an offer and commitment with Ohio State.

“It’s always been my top school since I started high school,” the Medina senior said. “It’s been option number one if I had a chance to go there.”

That opportunity came recently.

“During my last tournament with Release I talked afterward with (assistant) coach (Matt) Angle,” the 25th-rated 2021 in Ohio related. “I scheduled a call with (head) coach (Greg) Beals the next day. He offered and I accepted the same day.”

There was a lot to like about becoming a Buckeye for the top-ranked uncommitted incoming senior in the state prior to deciding on Ohio State as his future home.

“I always grew up an Ohio State fan,” Johnson reflected. “I watched them on TV and went to their games. What sold me was playing this summer with four other 2021 recruits. They all said good things about them and after hearing that I wanted to be a Buckeye.”

Johnson also heard something else that helped sway the decision to go to Ohio State over his other main two options, Cincinnati and Kent State - the potential to be a two-way player for the Big 10 school.

“That’s something I definitely wanted to do,” the sixth-ranked senior shortstop in Ohio said. “Depending on the school, I was looked at for hitting first. But some did look at me at pitcher first and I’ve always liked competing on the mound.”

That is something Johnson, who has topped out at 89 with his fastball while reaching 94 on exit velocity in addition to running a 6.91 time in the 60, believes he can bring to the OSU program.

“I’m a competitor,” Johnson said. “I love to compete. At the end of the day I want to win.”

Ohio State believes they have a winner in picking up their eighth top-28 ranked player from Ohio’s 2021 class.

“They like my versatility, that I can play on both sides of the ball,” Johnson explained. “I have the ability to play multiple positions with the Buckeyes.”

This summer the 17-year-old has played second, third and short in addition to pitcher.

“It’s what makes it the most fun,” Johnson noted. “The more you can do, the better chance you have to get on the field.”

Improvement has added to what the 5-10 185-pounder can provide.

“I’m way more conditioned on the mound than I was months ago,” Johnson said. “My velocity also continues to come up. Those are the biggest things I’ve improved at on the mound.

“As far as a position player, I continue to hit as much as I can. The more swings I get, the better I am at the plate. That can start a trend over the years.”

Putting in the work was made more difficult during the trying times of spring when COVID-19 came on the scene.

“I missed out on 20-some high school games,” Johnson pointed out. “That’s a lot. I missed out on getting better in-game and also missed out on coaches not being able to come watch me in person. That affected the recruiting process. I had to put videos together every week and get them videos which was the only thing they could go off. But at the end of the day I made it work.”

Now Johnson puts his sights on getting better.

“The biggest thing I want to develop is an elite tool to help get me in the lineup as quick as I can,” Johnson explained. “Whether that’s pitching, hitting or defending, if I develop one I have a good chance to play early for the Buckeyes.”

No doubt, Johnson will be putting in the hard work needed after the recruiting process has come to an end.

“It’s a dream come true,” Johnson said of making Ohio State his future home. “It was a big moment for me, my parents and my family.

“It’s different now,” Johnson added. “I’m not playing with the same pressure on as when I was uncommitted. But you still play hard no matter how you feel. It’s just nice to have some of that pressure taken off me.”


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