Meade
Johnson

Formerly ranked No. 38 in Illinois’ 2021 class. A favorite from last fall’s scout day at Heartland, the athletic right-hander continues to develop. Last season he recorded an 8-1 record with a 2.39 ERA in 49 innings pitched, also striking out 70 to 22 walks. With a loose arm, lower effort and a fluid, repeatable delivery to a high three-quarter release point, Johnson topped at 95 mph, sitting mostly 91-92 with spin rates into the 2300s. Showed a 79-80 mph, short-actioned, higher spin slider (+2600 RPM) and curveball at 73-75 mph with spin into the 2400s. Also showed a feel for a straight change at 80 mph. Fair deception with high pitch-ability. Continues to gain steam both as a prospect and likely Power-5 recruit. 

2022 Puma Classic: A favorite from last fall’s scout day at Heartland, the athletic right-hander continues to develop. With a loose arm to a high three-quarter release point, Johnson topped at 92 mph at the Puma Classic, sitting mostly 89-90 with spin rates into the 2300s. Also showed a low-80s, higher spin slider (2600s) and curve ball at 75 mph with spin into the 2400s. Fair deception with high pitchability. Pocket follow as a guy who could really come on later this fall and into next spring.

Heartland Scout Day: Highly projectible with a long, athletic body type (6-foot-2, 185-pounds), loose arm and low effort delivery, the right-hander impressed with control of three pitches from a three-quarter slot. His 6.49’ of average fastball extension led the event and his spin score of 26 was second best on the Heartland staff. His fastball peaked at 89 mph, mostly sitting 87-88 mph with fair life. He showed control and feel for a low-70s curveball (2400+ rpm) and subtracted spin on his 77-79 mph sinking changenup (1600 rpm). A true freshman Johnson has many characteristics of a guy that should see significant velocity gains over the next couple of years.

Positional Profile: RHP
Body: 6-2, 170-pounds.
Delivery: Smooth tempo, high leg lift, athletic delivery, lands square to target, clean, repeatable mechanics.
Arm Action: RH. Quick, loose arm action, high 3/4 arm slot.
FB: T90, 88-90 mph. Heavy ball, plays downhill, intent to play arm side. T2277, 2254 average rpm.
CB: 70-73 mph. 11/5 shape, sharp action, plays down in zone. T2527, 2473 average rpm.
SL: 75-76 mph. 2/8 shape, aggressive pitch, advanced spin. T2442, 2425 average rpm.
CH: 76-78 mph. Sink/fade action, advanced action. T1957, 1898 average rpm.

Johnson, a highly-athletic, 6-foot-2, 180-pound multi-sport athlete, sat 88-90 mph throughout his bullpen (a jump from 84 mph last August). He also showed off two above-average breaking balls, with his slider flashing swing-and-miss action on a 10/4 plane at 75-76 mph and an average spin rate of 2425 rpm. Johnson looks the part of a starter at the next level thanks to his four-pitch mix, the ease in his delivery and the high-volume of strikes he threw throughout.

Positional Profile: RHP; Athletic right-handed arm emerged as a high-follow unsigned senior.
Body: 6-2, 170-pounds. Wiry, long levers; room to add strength, projects well.
Delivery: Smooth delivery, works in sync and in rhythm down the mound. Lands soft and on-line.
Arm Action: RH. Compact arm circle, loose and quick out front, high 3/4 slot.
FB: T85, 84-84 mph. Clean and lively out of the hand, late arm-side-run and finish through the zone; showed control.
CB: 68-71 mph. Flashed well above-average spin rates; average of 2,491 rpm, max of 2,573. Thrown with conviction, sharp 10/4 action.
SL: 72-74 mph. Max of 2,403 rpm. 10/4 shape, leaves arm-side at times.
CH: 75-76 mph. Maintains arm speed, located at the bottom of the zone with fade and occasional sinking action.