Ivan Johnson

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Cincinnati Reds #18 prospect in 2022
  Track Record: After spending his freshman year at Georgia, Johnson transferred to Chipola (Fla.) JC for more playing time. He responded by hitting .389/.500/.606 and playing his way into the fourth round at a time when junior college hitters struggled to get drafted. After earning a promotion to High-A Dayton during the season, he finished the year by hitting six home runs in 17 games in the Arizona Fall League.
  
  Scouting Report: Because of the lack of a clear alternative, the Reds have had Johnson play more at shortstop than second base early in his career. That’s likely to change now that he’s paired with Matt McLain and Elly de la Cruz. Johnson is better suited for second—or third, although he hasn’t played there yet. His hands and consistency need some work, but his plus arm and body control give him a shot to be above-average at second, where he has a little more time to make the play. His righthanded swing can get a little bit big at times when it should be more contact-oriented, but both swings work and he has plus power when swinging lefty. He’s a fringe-average runner.
  
  The Future: Johnson is unlikely to stay at shortstop, but his hitting ability and athleticism should fit at second base. He’s been productive so far, but there are evaluators who think Johnson has further upside.
  
• 
  Ranked Cincinnati Reds #12 prospect in 2021
  TRACK RECORD: After playing infrequently as a freshman at Georgia, Johnson transferred to Chipola (Fla.) JC and had a loud sophomore season. He hit .389/.500/.606 and became the year's highest drafted junior college position player. After a productive debut, Johnson was one of the most consistent and impressive hitters at the Reds' instructional league in 2020.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Johnson is one of the Reds' better pure hitters. Solid swings from both sides of the plate give him a shot to be a plus hitter, and his competitiveness and intelligence at the plate stand out even more. He uses the whole field and he has fringe-average power that should continue to improve. For now, Johnson is a surprisingly competent shortstop. His fringy range is offset by steady reliability, quick hands and an accurate arm. He has fringe-average speed, but his mature body should slow him down a touch. He's a safe bet to stay in the infield and could end up as an above-average second baseman.
  
  THE FUTURE: Johnson's blend of usable tools and skills give him a solid path to a big league role. The pandemic means the Reds have a backlog of middle infielders ready for Class A, which could lead to Johnson going straight to high Class A.
• 
  Ranked Cincinnati Reds #23 prospect in 2020
  TRACK RECORD: After struggling his freshman year at Georgia, Johnson transferred to Chipola (Fla.) JC and led the team in every major offensive category in 2019. The Reds drafted him in the fourth round and signed him for $397,500. Johnson reported to Rookie-level Greenville after signing and showed the ability to play both shortstop and second base.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Johnson has a long swing at times, but his quick hands handle velocity well from both sides of the plate. There are concerns regarding his swing-and-miss which places an average ceiling on his future hit tool. His frame has filled out some and has added strength to his swing which projects to have average power as he matures. Johnson is an above-average runner and handles both middle infield positions well, although executives think he is best suited for second base due to his average arm strength. His glove projects as average but is sturdy enough to move around the diamond and be effective.
  
  THE FUTURE: There isn't a carrying tool present in Johnson's profile, but his all-around skillset has the ceiling of a second-division regular.

Draft Prospects

• Ranked #110 prospect in 2019 draft
  Johnson ranked No. 473 on the 2017 BA 500 out of Kennesaw (Ga.) Mountain High after showing solid defensive actions at shortstop and performing well against some of the class' top prep pitchers. However, he went undrafted and instead made it to campus at Georgia, where Johnson struggled, hitting just .239/.314/.283 with a 38 percent strikeout rate in 46 at-bats. Following that season, Johnson transferred to Chipola (Fla.) JC for the 2019 campaign, where he led the team in each triple-slash category--hitting .389/.500/.606 with nine home runs, 33 walks and 37 strikeouts in 55 games. Johnson looked more physical during the fall and that has shown up in his power production, which is at least average in games with plus raw power. Johnson's swing works well from both sides, with quick hands that can catch up to velocity, although he sometimes struggles with offspeed offerings on the outer half of the plate as a lefthanded hitter. There is some length to his swing at times--and scouts will certainly not forget about the strikeout rate he showed during his brief look with Georgia--but most scouts grade his hit tool as a 50 after what he's shown this spring. Johnson has split time at shortstop and second base for Chipola. He has the defensive actions to handle shortstop, but, as an average runner, he might be a more ideal fit as a second baseman. Johnson performed well in front of high-level decision-makers this spring and could go off the board early on Day 2.

Minor League Top Prospects

• 
  Ranked National League #13 prospect in 2019
  Drafted by the Reds in the fourth round after Tyler Callihan, Johnson joined his 2019 draft mate in the Appy League, where he showed off an exciting power/speed combination as well as defensive aptitude in the middle of the infield. Johnson was one of only four players with at least five home runs and 10 stolen bases in the Appy League this season. Most of his power came from the left side, where he managed a .255/.325/.431 slash with five home runs compared to a .260/.339/.380 line with one home run as a righthanded hitter. Johnson spent a majority of his time as a shortstop, but he also logged a few games at second base. Scouts were impressed with his defensive ability, and he’s always showcased quick and reliable hands, but coming out of the draft most expected that second base would be a more likely defensive home for him in the long run—though he should stick at short until he gets forced off the position.

• December, 2021 Scouting Report
  Track Record: After spending his freshman year at Georgia, Johnson transferred to Chipola (Fla.) JC for more playing time. He responded by hitting .389/.500/.606 and playing his way into the fourth round at a time when junior college hitters struggled to get drafted. After earning a promotion to High-A Dayton during the season, he finished the year by hitting six home runs in 17 games in the Arizona Fall League.
  
  Scouting Report: Because of the lack of a clear alternative, the Reds have had Johnson play more at shortstop than second base early in his career. That’s likely to change now that he’s paired with Matt McLain and Elly de la Cruz. Johnson is better suited for second—or third, although he hasn’t played there yet. His hands and consistency need some work, but his plus arm and body control give him a shot to be above-average at second, where he has a little more time to make the play. His righthanded swing can get a little bit big at times when it should be more contact-oriented, but both swings work and he has plus power when swinging lefty. He’s a fringe-average runner.
  
  The Future: Johnson is unlikely to stay at shortstop, but his hitting ability and athleticism should fit at second base. He’s been productive so far, but there are evaluators who think Johnson has further upside.
  
• July, 2021 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: After playing infrequently as a freshman at Georgia, Johnson transferred to Chipola (Fla.) JC and had a loud sophomore season. He hit .389/.500/.606 and became the year's highest drafted junior college position player. After a productive debut, Johnson was one of the most consistent and impressive hitters at the Reds' instructional league in 2020.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Johnson is one of the Reds' better pure hitters. Solid swings from both sides of the plate give him a shot to be a plus hitter, and his competitiveness and intelligence at the plate stand out even more. He uses the whole field and he has fringe-average power that should continue to improve. For now, Johnson is a surprisingly competent shortstop. His fringy range is offset by steady reliability, quick hands and an accurate arm. He has fringe-average speed, but his mature body should slow him down a touch. He's a safe bet to stay in the infield and could end up as an above-average second baseman.
  
  THE FUTURE: Johnson's blend of usable tools and skills give him a solid path to a big league role. The pandemic means the Reds have a backlog of middle infielders ready for Class A, which could lead to Johnson going straight to high Class A.
• March, 2021 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: After playing infrequently as a freshman at Georgia, Johnson transferred to Chipola (Fla.) JC and had a loud sophomore season. He hit .389/.500/.606 and became the year's highest drafted junior college position player. After a productive debut, Johnson was one of the most consistent and impressive hitters at the Reds' instructional league in 2020.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Johnson is one of the Reds' better pure hitters. Solid swings from both sides of the plate give him a shot to be a plus hitter, and his competitiveness and intelligence at the plate stand out even more. He uses the whole field and he has fringe-average power that should continue to improve. For now, Johnson is a surprisingly competent shortstop. His fringy range is offset by steady reliability, quick hands and an accurate arm. He has fringe-average speed, but his mature body should slow him down a touch. He's a safe bet to stay in the infield and could end up as an above-average second baseman.
  
  THE FUTURE: Johnson's blend of usable tools and skills give him a solid path to a big league role. The pandemic means the Reds have a backlog of middle infielders ready for Class A, which could lead to Johnson going straight to high Class A.
• December, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: After playing infrequently as a freshman at Georgia, Johnson transferred to Chipola (Fla.) JC and had a loud sophomore season. He hit .389/.500/.606 and became the year's highest drafted junior college position player. After a productive debut, Johnson was one of the most consistent and impressive hitters at the Reds' instructional league in 2020.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Johnson is one of the Reds' better pure hitters. Solid swings from both sides of the plate give him a shot to be a plus hitter, and his competitiveness and intelligence at the plate stand out even more. He uses the whole field and he has fringe-average power that should continue to improve. For now, Johnson is a surprisingly competent shortstop. His fringy range is offset by steady reliability, quick hands and an accurate arm. He has fringe-average speed, but his mature body should slow him down a touch. He's a safe bet to stay in the infield and could end up as an above-average second baseman.
  
  THE FUTURE: Johnson's blend of usable tools and skills give him a solid path to a big league role. The pandemic means the Reds have a backlog of middle infielders ready for Class A, which could lead to Johnson going straight to high Class A.
• July, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: After struggling his freshman year at Georgia, Johnson transferred to Chipola (Fla.) JC and led the team in every major offensive category in 2019. The Reds drafted him in the fourth round and signed him for $397,500. Johnson reported to Rookie-level Greenville after signing and showed the ability to play both shortstop and second base. BA GRADE 40 Risk: High BA GRADE 40 Risk: High BA GRADE 45 Risk: Extreme
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Johnson has a long swing at times, but his quick hands handle velocity well from both sides of the plate. There are concerns regarding his swing-and-miss which places an average ceiling on his future hit tool. His frame has filled out some and has added strength to his swing which projects to have average power as he matures. Johnson is an above-average runner and handles both middle infield positions well, although executives think he is best suited for second base due to his average arm strength. His glove projects as average but is sturdy enough to move around the diamond and be effective.
  
  THE FUTURE: There isn’t a carrying tool present in Johnson’s profile, but his all-around skillset has the ceiling of a second-division regular.
• February, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: After struggling his freshman year at Georgia, Johnson transferred to Chipola (Fla.) JC and led the team in every major offensive category in 2019. The Reds drafted him in the fourth round and signed him for $397,500. Johnson reported to Rookie-level Greenville after signing and showed the ability to play both shortstop and second base.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Johnson has a long swing at times, but his quick hands handle velocity well from both sides of the plate. There are concerns regarding his swing-and-miss which places an average ceiling on his future hit tool. His frame has filled out some and has added strength to his swing which projects to have average power as he matures. Johnson is an above-average runner and handles both middle infield positions well, although executives think he is best suited for second base due to his average arm strength. His glove projects as average but is sturdy enough to move around the diamond and be effective.
  
  THE FUTURE: There isn't a carrying tool present in Johnson's profile, but his all-around skillset has the ceiling of a second-division regular.
• December, 2018 Scouting Report
  Johnson ranked No. 473 on the 2017 BA 500 out of Kennesaw (Ga.) Mountain High after showing solid defensive actions at shortstop and performing well against some of the class' top prep pitchers. However, he went undrafted and instead made it to campus at Georgia, where Johnson struggled, hitting just .239/.314/.283 with a 38 percent strikeout rate in 46 at-bats. Following that season, Johnson transferred to Chipola (Fla.) JC for the 2019 campaign, where he led the team in each triple-slash category--hitting .389/.500/.606 with nine home runs, 33 walks and 37 strikeouts in 55 games. Johnson looked more physical during the fall and that has shown up in his power production, which is at least average in games with plus raw power. Johnson's swing works well from both sides, with quick hands that can catch up to velocity, although he sometimes struggles with offspeed offerings on the outer half of the plate as a lefthanded hitter. There is some length to his swing at times--and scouts will certainly not forget about the strikeout rate he showed during his brief look with Georgia--but most scouts grade his hit tool as a 50 after what he's shown this spring. Johnson has split time at shortstop and second base for Chipola. He has the defensive actions to handle shortstop, but, as an average runner, he might be a more ideal fit as a second baseman. Johnson performed well in front of high-level decision-makers this spring and could go off the board early on Day 2.
• December, 2018 Scouting Report
  Drafted by the Reds in the fourth round after Tyler Callihan, Johnson joined his 2019 draft mate in the Appy League, where he showed off an exciting power/speed combination as well as defensive aptitude in the middle of the infield. Johnson was one of only four players with at least five home runs and 10 stolen bases in the Appy League this season. Most of his power came from the left side, where he managed a .255/.325/.431 slash with five home runs compared to a .260/.339/.380 line with one home run as a righthanded hitter. Johnson spent a majority of his time as a shortstop, but he also logged a few games at second base. Scouts were impressed with his defensive ability, and he’s always showcased quick and reliable hands, but coming out of the draft most expected that second base would be a more likely defensive home for him in the long run—though he should stick at short until he gets forced off the position.