Chase Johnson

Johnson saved eight games and made a team-leading 25 appearances as a sophomore, but he struggled with his control early this spring and fell out of favor, logging just 17 innings over 10 appearances, mostly in low-leverage situations. Still, scouts are intrigued by his 6-foot-3, 190-pound frame and his huge arm strength. Johnson can reach 97 mph and comfortably sits at 91-94 with limited effort. His heavy fastball is his bread and butter, and he lacks a dependable second pitch. Some scouts have seen him flash an average or slightly better changeup, and his slurvy breaking ball can be fringy at times but is usually below-average. Johnson pitches exclusively out of the stretch with a deliberate delivery that lacks deception. If he can use his lower half better and repeat his mechanics, his command could improve and he could develop into a power-armed reliever. Johnson is considered signable, so he could go as early as the fifth round.