Erik
Johnson

Long, lean projectable frame from a low ¾ slot. Sat 75-78 MPH; sweeping L-to-R breaking ball at 62-64. Flashed a change at 68 MPH that held it’s plain with good arm speed.

Johnson stands in at 6-foot-4, 165-pounds with a tall, lean, pitcher's frame. Pitching- Lefty sets up in the middle of the rubber with a simple side step into a high leg kick above his hip crease. Good drive down with appropriate separation getting into a good throwing position with a low ¾ release point. Accurate with pitches hitting the strike zone and mixes pitches well. Utilizes whole body when throwing and repeats delivery on different pitches. Fastball sat 76-77 MPH and peaked at 77 MPH with good arm side run. Changeup has good arm side sink and sits 69-70 MPH. Curveball shows tight breaking action and is 66-67 MPH. Talented 2018 pitching prospect. Will only get better with added strength and his continued development.

Crafty 6-foot-4, 165-pound LHP with a projectable pitcher’s frame. Pitching - gets positive hip tilt at the balance point, fastball at 76-77 MPH out ¾ slot has late sink, hard bite on slider at 66-67 MPH, mixes in change up at 70-71 MPH, potential to add velocity as he grows into frame.

Johnson is a tall, slender LHP, standing at 6’4” and weighing 165 pounds. Pitching- sets up on the middle of the rubber, drops steps to the front edge of the rubber. Johnson has a chest high leg kick, high glove, separates hands as leg kick comes down and plant foots lands slightly closed. Johnson has a high arm slot with a stiff front leg on his follow through. Increased stride when finishing and strength training can improve velocity. FB was 75-78 MPH, a slight increase since the spring. CB has some sweeping action at 64-66 MPH and the change up was in the mid 60's. Plenty of room for velocity and physical gains within his frame. High ceiling over the next 2 years that can be reached.

The sophomore lefty has a thin, lanky frame. FB was 74-77 MPH with a slow 58-60 mph breaking ball with 12/6 break. His arm works clean over the top with effortless delivery. Already knows how to keep opposing batters off-balance with his breaking stuff.  Opposing hitters consistently get under his breaking ball resulting in a high percentage of weak fly ball outs. Shows composure on the mound especially for an underclassman. Defense let him down on a couple of occasions, but he responds with timely punch outs. As this young arm adds strength and velocity he should prove to be a strong pitcher from the Rochester area over the next few years.

Erik is long and lean at 6-foot-4 165 pounds, having grown 2 inches since August. Plenty of room for physical gains as this 2018 matures. Pitching- On the mound Erik starts from his glove side of the rubber with a short side step up to a 3/4 high chest balance point. Arm action is long and loose with some late whip like action through his extension. Repeats his closed landing, working up and over front side. May benefit from increased back leg lift to create additional leverage off the mound. Fastball sat 73-74 MPH, touching 75 MPH. Expect all kinds of velocity development as his frame, arm action and future physical development all point in the right direction. Showed a breaking ball at 61 MPH with a left-to-right sweeping action. Will use change up but comes in a bit firm in the 70-71 MPH range. Continued refinement needed here to deal with next level RHH. Erik screams projectability, looking forward to seeing him again.

Stands at 6-foot-2, 165 pounds, with a lean athletic body build.  Pitching- Erik uses a quick delivery, arm works loose and clean, throws from a high-3/4 slot.  His fastball was low 70’s his max was 74 MPH.  Curveball (57-58 MPH) had a 2 to 7 downward action.  On his finish he recoils after release, he needs to focus on a smoother, full finish over his front side.  During the game, he displayed nice composure and control.  He was able to locate his pitches well, curveball had hitter’s off-balance and got groundballs/pop ups.

New York Games (July 7-9, 2015)

Erik has a lean, lanky frame from the left-side. Pitching- Erik uses a quick delivery, arm works loose and clean, throws from a high-3/4 slot, fastball sits 69-71 MPH with arm side run. Curveball sat 57 mph with 2/7 shape, late action. On his finish he recoils after release, he needs to focus on a smoother, full finish over his front side.