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Brian Johnson

Born: 12/07/1990 (Age: 23)
Bats: Left Throws: Left
Height: 6' 3" Weight: 250
Mechanics
Maxed frame; tall lefty with thick bottom half; legs are thick and muscled; high 3/4th arm slot; average arm speed; delivery is stiff; very mild drive and more upper half; very slight stab; loosened up as the game went along and began driving more towards home; delivery is slow and deliberate out of stretch; keeps body balanced and compact; good plane; mechanics are fluid; 1.46-1.51 delivery times.
Evaluator Tucker Blair
Report Date 08/05/2014
Affiliate Portland Sea Dogs (AA, Red Sox)
Dates Seen 8/5/2014
OFP 45
MLB ETA 2015
Video No
Pitch Type Future Grade Sitting Velocity Peak Velocity Report
FB 45 87-91 92 Fastball lacks horizontal movement; comes from good plane but lacks any life or explosion; plus command and control; able to throw pitch for strikes at any time; keeps the ball low and pounded both sides of the plate; fringe pitch that plays up due to plus command and control.
CB 50 73-77 78 1-7 offering; decent depth; not deep but efficient enough; ball can lack tight spin at times; more rotational at the lower velocity and can be recognized easier; lacked consistent release point; cast quite a few in beginning of the game; worked repeatedly in latter innings and was able to find effective release point; average command and average overall.
CH 50 79-82 83 Mild fade; slows arm down occasionally; pitch works best in 79-80 velo band; plus command and able to spot pitch on outside corners; threw firm a few times; looked to grip pitch too tightly; some inconsistency issues in the arm action and release points but was able to fix this during the inning; slight refinements in consistency boost this pitch to an average offering.
Overall

Johnson is a command/control pitcher that keeps the ball low and pounds the corners of the plate. He lacks any impact offering, but blends together a nice mold of pitchability and command to help play up the lack of stuff.

Johnson has minimal growth left and is likely in the majors within the next year or two. He may slot into a backend role simply because he can command all three pitches and is durable, but he fits better as a swingman or middle reliever.

I did not see any 2S or SL the entire night, which he has thrown in the past. He was clearly working on the CB, and was still able to produce a quality outing.

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