9 replies to this topic

[jnlevetoncnmt]

Brian Johnson 6’3” Junior 235lbs LHP University of Florida.

86ip 3.56era 79hits, 15BB, 68K


Has a curveball, slider, and changeup. According to scouts his fastball tops out in the high 80’s, but ESPN3 had him in the low 90’s the last couple games I saw him in(SEC tourney, regionals) of course the stadium gun may have been a bit juicy

As a hitter .310/.350/.455 10BB, 31K, 5hr

I don't think he will be hard to sign because I don't think he would get drafted any higher next year.

edited for font size.

Edited by jnlevetoncnmt, 04 June 2012 - 10:22 PM.

[Hendu's Gait]

"Johnson has gotten looks as both a hitter and a pitcher with Florida and while he can hit a little, most feel he'll pitch at the next level.The left-hander has four pitches he can throw for strikes. His fastball sits mostly in the average range, though he can run it up to 92 mph, with pretty good sink to the arm side. His slider is his out pitch and should be an above-average offering in the big leagues. His changeup, which he doesn't always use, has the chance to be at least above-average.Johnson gets high marks for his mound presence and willingness to go right after hitters. College lefties are always a hot commodity and Johnson could be the first in this class to go off the board."

mlb.com

[NoNolva]

this is bump!

[Rudy Pemberton]

A 3.56 ERA in college? Why draft a pitcher, we have tons!!!!! The sky is fallingggggg

[DrewDawg]

this is bump!

Umm, okay.

This guy seems like his upside is a innings eater, #3 or #4. There's obviously value in that, so we'll see.

[bosockboy]

[Rough Carrigan]

Umm, okay.

This guy seems like his upside is a innings eater, #3 or #4. There's obviously value in that, so we'll see.

There's value in a decent backup infielder. But you wouldn't want to have given up a lot in trade for him.

Those of us in the game thread who didn't like this pick questioned whether this was enough value to get for a 1st round draft pick. And given the Red Sox's ability, with their payroll, to effectively buy peripheral contributors to the team, should a 1st round draft pick have been used to choose a guy with a ceiling no higher than Johnson's?

[Eddie Jurak]

I think this is a money thing. Johnson will sign below slot allowing the Sox to
go above a lot for other picks.

[Cellar-Door]

There's value in a decent backup infielder. But you wouldn't want to have given up a lot in trade for him.

Those of us in the game thread who didn't like this pick questioned whether this was enough value to get for a 1st round draft pick. And given the Red Sox's ability, with their payroll, to effectively buy peripheral contributors to the team, should a 1st round draft pick have been used to choose a guy with a ceiling no higher than Johnson's?

Well it depends what they think his chances of reaching his ceiling are compared with other guys available's chances of reaching their ceiling. If you think there is a 65% chance he reaches the status of solid #3 LH starter in the pros, that is better than a guy with a 25% chance of being a solid #2. There wasn't a surefire Strasburg type player out there, and probably not anyone with a real chance of being an ace, so in that case if you think a guy has a really high floor, and his ceiling is lower the lower risk for the lower (but still valuable) reward is worth it.

[DrewDawg]

I get what you're saying--but maybe the issue is with our expectations. MLB.com said what I said above--he could project as a mid-rotation innings guy. It also said the same thing about the kid the Yankees drafted one spot earlier.