Blake Johnson
| IP | 1049 |
|---|---|
| ERA | 4.41 |
| WHIP | 1.37 |
| BB/9 | 2.66 |
| SO/9 | 6.297 |
- Full name Blake Wayne Johnson
- Born 06/14/1985 in Baton Rouge, LA
- Profile Ht.: 6'5" / Wt.: 200 / Bats: R / Throws: R
- School Parkview Baptist
-
Drafted in the 2nd round (58th overall) by the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2004 (signed for $600,000).
View Draft Report
Scouts have known all year that the state's top high school prospect resides in Baton Rouge. They just haven't been always sure which pitcher merits that honor. Johnson came into the year as the best, was surpassed by Matt Walker at midseason, then moved back ahead of Walker as he compiled an 8-3, 1.31 record and struck 116 in 64 innings. Johnson is more polished than Walker and should be better more quickly. His size (6-foot-4 and 195) and easy delivery are assets, and he throws an 89-93 mph fastball and a hard breaking ball. Johnson was inconsistent this spring, but he finished strong by leading Parkview Baptist to its third consecutive state 3-A title. He allowed just one run in two playoff starts and provided three hits in the championship game. Johnson has committed to Louisiana State but isn't considered a tough sign.
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
-
Dayton Moore made his focus on developing pitchers obvious from the time he took over as Royals general manager, and one of his first deals was getting Johnson and Odalis Perez in July 2006 for Elmer Dessens. After struggling in high Class A in 2006, Johnson spent all of last season with Wilmington and saw his ERA dip from 6.19 in six May starts to 1.40 in 26 innings in August. He corrected a flaw in which he collapsed a little in the back of his delivery, resulting in his arm slot getting too low and his pitches flattening out. By staying taller in his delivery he got more leverage and threw on more of a downhill plane, adding velocity to a 92 mph fastball that now reaches 94 and has improved by a full grade from 2006. Johnson mixes in a mid-70s curveball with good downward bite and an improving changeup with late sink that he throws with good arm action. Johnson can still be inconsistent with his command and struggles when he becomes too reliant on his curveball. He's ready to make the jump to Double-A. -
Johnson established himself as a potential first-round pick with a dominant performance at the 2003 Area Code Games, but he slumped as a high school senior and went to the Dodgers in the second round in 2004. He has had an up-and-down pro career, struggling in his pro debut, having a fine first full season and then getting knocked around in two high Class A leagues last year. Los Angeles traded him, Odalis Perez and Julio Pimentel to acquire Elmer Dessens last July. Johnson has a lean, wiry frame and gets good downward plane on an average 89-92 mph fastball that he throws for strikes, albeit without pinpoint command. He uses it to set up a mid-70s curveball that has good downward bite and serves as his out pitch. He also features a developing changeup with nice action. Johnson is very laid back but shows some aggressiveness when he gets into jams. Kansas City wants to see him come out of his shell and show more ferocity. His command is average but he has clean mechanics, so it should improve with experience. Johnson pitched in two hitter-friendly home parks in 2006, so his performance wasn't as rough as his statistics might suggest. Nevertheless, he may have to repeat high Class A at the Royals' new Wilmington affiliate. -
Johnson was considered one of the top high school pitchers in the nation after a good showing at the 2003 Area Code Games, but a dip in velocity the following spring caused his stock to slip. He struck out 12 during a dominant performance at the National Classic tournament in Anaheim, with Dodgers special adviser Tommy Lasorda and other Los Angeles scouts in attendance. The Dodgers took him in the second round in 2004 and signed him for $600,000. After a lackluster pro debut, Johnson was much improved in his first full season last year. He's athletic and projectable, with a sturdy if underdeveloped frame in the mold of John Smoltz. Johnson pitches from a high three-quarters arm slot that allows him to get downward plane on his three-pitch repertoire. His fastball sits near 90 mph. His mid- 70s curveball has depth, tight spin and sharp downward tilt. His changeup is his third pitch and presently fringe average. Johnson has decent command but tends to cut his fastball too much. Columbus pitching coach Glenn Dishman tried to get him to stay inside the ball and drive it down and in on righthanders instead. Johnson wore down late in the year, and his stuff and velocity tapered off. The Dodgers want him to get stronger and to show more energy and fire. He should start the season in high Class A. -
Johnson ranked among the top prep righthanders in the country entering his senior season, but he injured his triceps muscle diving back into a bag early in the year and his velocity suffered all spring. He still managed to lead Parkview Baptist to a third consecutive Louisiana 3-A state championship. At the prestigious National Classic tournament in California last April, Tommy Lasorda was among the Dodgers staff members who saw Johnson ring up 12 strikeouts, 10 with his outstanding breaking ball. His curve is a twoplane out pitch that has true 12-to-6 break and changes the hitter's eye level. It already rates as one of the best curveballs in the organization. His fastball tops out at 94 mph and sits at 90. He also throws a changeup that needs work. Johnson has a projectable frame and his arm works well, fitting Dodgers scouting director Logan White's pitching profile to a tee. He made adjustments well in his first taste of pro ball, but still needs to learn the nuances of pitching. Johnson profiles as a starter, and has potential to pitch at the front end of a rotation if everything develops according to plan. His next step will be low Class A in 2005.
Minor League Top Prospects
-
Johnson was targeted as a potential first-round pick entering 2004, but minor yet nagging injuries and inconsistency as a high school senior allowed the Dodgers to grab him in the second round. His stuff was back to 100 percent this summer, as he began to learn how to use his 88-92 mph fastball to set up his plus curveball. Johnson has good control of both pitches, as well as his changeup. He was hit hard at times in a league made up mostly of hitters who were significantly older than him, but he still averaged a strikeout per inning and never lost his poise and confidence. "Johnson is a guy who doesn't carry himself like a high school kid," Ogden manager Travis Barbary said. "He's one of those guys that would just as soon as knock you down and tear your head off than give in out there."
