Scouting Report

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Scouting grades: Fastball: 55 | Curveball: 45 | Slider: 65 | Cutter: 55 | Changeup: 45 | Control: 65 | Overall: 50

Johnson is a puzzle for scouts because he has quality stuff and strikes to go with a track record of success but also a scary delivery. The younger brother of M.D. Johnson, who holds Dallas Baptist's NCAA Division I record with 29 wins and now pitches in the Marlins system, Ryan could surpass Vic Black (49th overall in 2009) as the highest pick in school history. The 2024 Conference USA pitcher of the year, he set Patriots records for strikeouts in a season season (151) and career (314) while finishing third in NCAA Division I in K/BB ratio (10.8).

In an unusual look for a starter, Johnson uses his low-80s slider nearly half the time, but it's a weapon with plenty of lateral movement and he locates it well. His fastball can hit 100 mph and usually parks at 92-96 with arm-side run, though it doesn't dodge as many bats as might be expected. He has added an upper-80s cutter this spring and trusts it more than his upper-70s curveball and his fading mid-80s changeup, which are both fringy offerings.

Johnson's mechanics include an abbreviated windup with a side step rather than a leg kick, a slingy low arm slot and a lot of effort. While that doesn't prevent him from throwing a ton of strikes and creates deception, his fastball and slider can vary from electric to ordinary. His delivery and intensity eventually should lead him to the bullpen, where he has late-inning upside.

Scouting grades: Fastball: 55 | Curveball: 45 | Slider: 65 | Cutter: 55 | Changeup: 45 | Control: 65 | Overall: 45

Johnson was a puzzle for scouts because he has quality stuff and strikes to go with a track record of success but also a scary delivery. The younger brother of M.D. Johnson, who holds Dallas Baptist's NCAA Division I record with 29 wins and pitches in the Marlins system, Ryan was the 2024 Conference USA pitcher of the year, setting school records for strikeouts in a season season (151) and career (314) while finishing third in NCAA Division I in K/BB ratio (10.8). He was taken by the Angels No. 74 overall and signed for an over-slot $1.75 million.

In an unusual look for a starter, Johnson uses his low-80s slider nearly half the time, but it's a weapon with plenty of lateral movement and he locates it well. His fastball can hit 100 mph and usually parks at 92-96 with armside run, though it doesn't dodge as many bats as might be expected. He has added an upper-80s cutter this spring and trusts it more than his upper-70s curveball and his fading mid-80s changeup, which are both fringy offerings.

Johnson's mechanics include an abbreviated windup with a side step rather than a leg kick, a slingy low arm slot and a lot of effort. While that doesn't prevent him from throwing a ton of strikes and creates deception, his fastball and slider can vary from electric to ordinary. His delivery and intensity eventually could lead him to the bullpen, where he has late-inning upside.

Transactions

Team	Date	Transaction
	08/05/2024	RHP Ryan Johnson assigned to ACL Angels.
	07/22/2024	Los Angeles Angels signed RHP Ryan Johnson.
	06/16/2024	College Workout activated RHP Ryan Johnson.
	06/29/2023	College Workout activated RHP Ryan Johnson.
	06/26/2023	RHP Ryan Johnson assigned to USAB Stripes Team.
	02/15/2023	RHP Ryan Johnson assigned to Dallas Baptist Patriots.
	03/14/2022	RHP Ryan Johnson and assigned to Dallas Baptist Patriots.