Ty Johnson
P | Bats/Throws: R/R | 6' 6" 205LBS | Age: 23
Draft: 2023 | Rd: 15, #446, Chicago Cubs | Ball State
MLB Pipeline Rank
W L ERA G GS SV IP SO WHIP
2024 2 4 2.32 14 9 1 50.1 72 1.01
Career Minors 3 5 2.79 24 13 2 84 120 1.00
G W-L ERA IP SO WHIP
2024 14 2-4 2.32 50.1 72 1.01
Career Minors 24 3-5 2.79 84 120 1.00

Standard Minor League Pitching Statistics

SeasonTmLGLWLERAGGSSVIPHRERHRBBSOWHIP
2024 3 Teams Minors 3 5 2.79 24 13 2 84.0 58 31 26 2 26 120 1.00
2024 Myrtle Beach Pelicans CAR A 1 1 3.48 10 4 1 33.2 23 14 13 1 10 48 0.98
2024 South Bend Cubs MID A+ 0 3 3.62 8 6 0 27.1 25 15 11 1 12 33 1.35
2024 Bowling Green Hot Rods SAL A+ 2 1 0.78 6 3 1 23.0 10 2 2 0 4 39 0.61
2024 2 Teams A+ 2 4 2.32 14 9 1 50.1 35 17 13 1 16 72 1.01

Scouting Report

2024

Scouting grades: Fastball: 60 | Slider: 55 | Changeup: 40 | Control: 50 | Overall: 40

Johnson didn’t make much noise in his three years at Ball State, leaving school with a 5.39 ERA and 178 strikeouts over 157 innings, and his 2022 appearance in the Cape Cod League didn’t fare better (4.98 ERA, 19 strikeouts, 15 walks in 21 2/3 innings). The Cubs selected the right-hander in the 15th round last year, signed him for $125,000 and saw him take off in his first full season with a 3.54 ERA and 81 strikeouts in 61 innings between Single-A Myrtle Beach and High-A South Bend. The Rays picked him up as part of the Isaac Paredes trade at the Deadline and saw him continue that momentum with High-A Bowling Green.

The 6-foot-6 hurler shows a short arm action on the mound but puts the ball right on hitters from his large frame. His fastball now sits in the 93-95 mph range (topping out around 98) after averaging just 92.4 in his final season at Ball State. The heater plays up further with a flat approach angle up in the zone from a low three-quarters angle, and low-level hitters have swung under it a ton in 2024. He plays off that with a mid-80s slider that dives gloveside and allows him to wear out the low-outside corner against righties. A subpar changeup around the same velo can be firm and has been a reason why lefties have performed much better against Johnson in his first full season. 

Johnson’s control has been better in the Minors than in college as well, and while he’s worked as both a starter and bulk reliever in both systems, there should be enough strike-throwing to get him more starting looks. Improving his third pitch will be vital, but the fastball-slider mix give him a promising relief floor. 


Transactions

Team Date Transaction
07/30/2024 Bowling Green Hot Rods activated RHP Ty Johnson.
07/30/2024 Bowling Green Hot Rods activated RHP Ty Johnson.
07/28/2024 Chicago Cubs traded 3B Christopher Morel, RHP Hunter Bigge and RHP Ty Johnson to Tampa Bay Rays for 3B Isaac Paredes.
07/28/2024 RHP Ty Johnson roster status changed by Tampa Bay Rays.
07/28/2024 RHP Ty Johnson assigned to Bowling Green Hot Rods.
06/04/2024 RHP Ty Johnson assigned to South Bend Cubs from Myrtle Beach Pelicans.
06/04/2024 South Bend Cubs activated RHP Ty Johnson.
04/04/2024 RHP Ty Johnson assigned to Myrtle Beach Pelicans from ACL Cubs.
07/19/2023 RHP Ty Johnson assigned to ACL Cubs.
07/19/2023 Chicago Cubs signed RHP Ty Johnson.