Jordan
Johnston

3.30.15 - 6-foot-2, 175-pound lanky right-handed pitcher, works from long, loose, high ¾ arm slot, toe down at balance point, raised front side, lower half stride direction is in line with home plate. Johnston sat in the 85-88 mph range throughout this outing, touching 89 mph several times early on. In four innings pitched he walked five (wasn’t overly wild, just missing zone), struck out four, and allowed two runs (one earned) on two hits. A majority of his misses with fastball were to his arm side, but bared down with runners on base in crucial situations, especially with a huge double play ball in the fourth. It was his first official varsity outing, after having missed the 2014 season due to a leg injury. His breaking ball was improved since the summer. Back then he slowed his arm on a 70-72 mph curveball that lacked tight spin. It was improved on Monday, mostly 74-76 mph, touching 77 with tighter rotation, more slider shape. At times it was side-to-side, but flashed a few with 11/5 shape and depth. Johnston is currently ranked No. 48 in Illinois, committed to Marshall, and could see his fastball velocity spike with warmer spring weather.

7/14 - 6-foot-2, 180-pound lanky and projectable right-handed pitcher missed the spring with a knee injury and has come on strong recently.  Reportedly was up to 90 mph at the Plainfield South Showcase.  Sat 87-89 mph early on, 83-86 by the fifth, in the summer state playoffs vs. Sandburg from high-3/4, loose arm action.  Delivery is repeatable with lower half in line towards home and shoulders level.  Slows arm on 70-72 mph curveball with 12/6 shape, but lacks tight rotation and depth.