Chase Johnson, RHP. 6'3", 185 lbs. DOB: 1/9/1992.
2012 College: 3-4, 3.34, 35 IP, 13 BB, 31 K, 8 Saves.
2012 Cape Cod League: 2-1, 3.98, 20.1 IP, 7 BB, 23 K.
2013 College: 0-0, 2.31, 23.1 IP, 9 BB, 21 K.
2013 AZL: 1-0, 1.69, 5.1 IP, 1 BB, 7 K's.
2013 Short Season: 3-2, 4.17, 41 IP, 12 BB, 37 K. (14 of 19 ER allowed in last 3 starts).
Chase Johnson must have done something to really PO his college coach at Cal Poly SLO where he not only lost is closer role from 2012 but pitched just 23.1 innings in spite of one of the best ERA's on the team and possessing a 96 MPH fastball with an GO/AO= 2. The Giants scouts were on the case, though, and sniffed out a kid with low mileage on his arm and enough stuff to make them think he could be converted into a starter. The Giants brass gave the green light to draft him in round 3 of the 2013 amateur draft.
He was lights out up until his last 3 starts which I am going to chalk up to fatigue from being not used to pitching that many innings until proven otherwise. His FB may run more in the 92-94 MPH range as a starter, but his groundball tendency preceded his entry into pro baseball.
With a strong starting rotation from Augusta graduating to San Jose for 2014, I expect Johnson to be in the Augusta rotation this spring. He pitched a total of 69.2 IP last year so I would expect his IP target to be around 100. He's an intriguing pitching prospect with an unusual pedigree. It will be interesting to see what the Giants pitching mavens can do with him and how he develops.
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I don't exactly know what to make of him at this point, but I like his stuff. Easy, clean (from what I can see) delivery. Good velocity... looks like his change might be the better secondary offering. I remember the breaking ball having sharp movement in the instructs video, but he wasn't able to control it all that well. He's certainly a guy worth keeping a close eye on... The Giants must think very highly of him to have made him their first pitcher taken in the draft.
ReplyDeleteHalf of baseball was drafting pitchers with their 3rd rounder, BA does a great job but they were way off on rankings with the 2nd tier pitchers that go in this area. Although the initial reaction was "a reliever in the 3rd round? Really?" further investigation revealed a fresh live arm. I agree with you, I think he'll go to Augusta to build innings.
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