Colton
Johnson

At 6-foot-4, 220 pounds, Johnson works with minimal effort and a low heart rate. He calls his own game and can fill up the strike zone. Typically, the lefty will sit anywhere from 87-94 mph, but his velocity was down against Southern Illinois after throwing 110 pitches last weekend against Arkansas State. During this most recent look, he sat 87-90, working mostly 88-89 with his two-seamer. He also showed an effective trio of offspeed offerings. Among the three, his 2500-2600 rpm curve ball was the top offering. At 75-76 mph it spins quick, has good shape and shows late bite. At this point it’s not a nasty putaway pitch, but he does land it consistently and the pitch plays above average. Johnson will occasionally mix in a low-80s slider, as well as a newly developed split changeup. His cambio is firm at 82-84 mph, low-spin (1200s) and drops below the bat. Despite the ease of his operation and four-pitch mix, Johnson may be best suited to the bullpen in pro ball where his fastball velo is likely to jump at least a grade and he can attack with either breaking ball. For the season Johnson is 2-0 with a 2.09 ERA in 38.2 IP. He’s allowed 34 hits while walking 10 and striking out 42. Having received consideration in the top 10 rounds in 2019 and below slot interest in the five rounds of 2020, the 23 year old graduate student is an easy talent to consider as a top 10 round money saver in 2021.

2020 DRAFT: After turning down a significant bonus offer as a non drafted free agent following the 2019 draft, the 6-foot-4, 220-pound lefty returned for his senior season with the Redbirds. After a strong start, Johnson broke out in relief at Arkansas, earning a save. And, it wasn't just his three strikeout save, it was his velocity that made scouts take notice. Previously known more as an 88-92 (touched 94 last spring during the MVC tournament) lefty, Johnson ran it up into the mid-90s against the Razorbacks, with his usual big-bend slurve in the upper-70s. Not too many scouts saw this performance first-hand on an early season Tuesday night, but you can be sure they have seen the video during the covid-19 downtime. He finished the shortened 2020 season at 2-2, 3.60 ERA, 25 IP, 6 BB, 37 SO. Expect Johnson to be considered around the 5th round this time around the MLB Draft.

Six-foot-4, 210-pound lanky left-hander impressed with athletic frame and short, quick, high ¾ arm action. Fastball sat 82-85 mph from tall/fall delivery, toe down at balance point, easy effort throughout delivery, smooth rhythm throughout, level shoulders in delivery, stride direction is in line with home plate, lands square, finishes athletically. Fastball thrown for strikes with arm side run. 70-74 mph curveball flashed 12/6 shape occasionally, erratic for strikes. Aggressive with 76-77 mph changeup thrown down in the zone, occasional plus arm side run. Johnson is a high follow prospect in the 2016 class thanks to his frame, clean arm action, and future projection.

Six-foot-4, 200-pound left-handed pitcher with a strong lower half impressed as one of the top arm at the Central Illinois Open.  Johnson works from a short, loose, high ¾ arm slot, tall and fall delivery, toe down at balance point, shoulders stay level throughout, stride direction stays in line with home plate, lands square, repeats delivery well with smooth rhythm.  Fastball sat 82-83 mph, touching 85 on his final pitch.  It features late, hard run and he commands it especially to his arm side.  Breaking ball at 69-70 mph flashed plus, late 11/5 break when he stayed on top/behind it, became slurvy when he got on the side.  Johnson also throws a split change/fosh with sink between 70-75 mph.  His feel for three pitches, present fastball velocity, clean arm action, and sturdy frame make him a high follow prospect, and potentially a high level Division-1 arm.

1.19.14 - Athletic frame with potential. 6-foot-3, 190-pound left handed pitcher. Tall and fall delivery, clean athletic actions, regular effort, works slightly across his body. Arm operates from a high ¾ slot, loose arm action with athleticism. Fastball pitched at 77-80 mph, works downhill. Curveball lacks depth, 66-68 mph, flat path. Splitter sat 70-75 mph.

Very projectable 6-foot-2, 175-pound left-handed pitcher. Tall-and-fall delivery shows smooth athletic rhythm. Johnson has clean, repeatable mechanics with loose high ¾ arm action. His fastball sat 75-80 mph with occasional arm-side run. Changeup had some sink at 69 mph.

Johnson is a 6-foot-2, 175-pound athletic and projectable two way player.  At first base moved athletically and showed some carry at 73 mph.  Balanced setup at the plate with rhythm and a smooth load and long stride.  Gets good extension after contact and showed some pop. Recorded an exit velocity of 74 mph and ran a 7.71 60.  Tall-and-fall type delivery on the mound, releases from a high ¾ arm slot.  Fastball thrown with slight run sitting 78-79 mph; curve thrown at 63-66 mph with 10/4 action. Splitter ranging from 66-69 mph.  Definitely a player to follow as his athletic frame matures. 

8/8/12 Colton is a very projectable left-handed pitcher. The 6-foot, 155-pound Johnson features long arms and legs, and has the type of frame which should fill in nicely as he physically develops. His arm works with little effort. His fastball topped at 76 mph, and will undoubtedly see that number climb in the future. He throws with a long arm from a high ¾ slot and shows the potential for a good breaking ball.