Age: 22
Born: December 7, 1990
Cocoa Beach, FL
Height: 6-3
Weight: 235
Bats: Left
Throws: Left
Drafted: 1st round, 2012;
27th round, 2009 by Los Angeles (NL)
How Acquired: Draft
College: Florida
High School: Cocoa Beach (FL)
ETA: Mid 2015

Photo © Dave Letizi

Scouting Report: Well-filled out left-handed starter.  Body to withstand the rigors of starting as a professional.  Easy delivery.  Smooth, repeatable mechanics. 89-93 mph fastball.  Can top out at 94-95 mph when reaching back.  Fastball shows downward movement and tail.  Solid-average command.  Ability to throw to both sides of the plate.  73-79 mph curveball.  Solid-average potential.  Shows depth and tight break in upper reaches of velocity range.  Can roll on occasion.  Average-to-solid-average command.  Throws pitch for strikes.  Average 84-86 mph changeup.   Shows feel for offering.  Projects as a weak contact inducing pitch.  Will mix in 80-83 mph slider into sequences.  Slurvy break.  Likely better served focusing on sharpening curveball in early going to create more of a distinction between the two pitches.  Will need to maintain body as he ages.  A bit on the soft side.  Strong pitchability.  Knows how to pitch.  Advanced entering the professional ranks.  Projects as a back-end of the rotation starter, who can have a season or two at the level of a third starter in peak. 

Links
Johnson ramping up (8.16.12)
2013 Prospect Preview

Johnson looking to put batted-ball accident behind him (3.22.13)