Ohio State Always Top Choice For Versatile Johnson
August 18, 2020
Follow on Twitter- @PrepBaseballOH
Follow on Instagram- @pbrohio
Interested in attending a PBR Ohio event? Check out our schedule by clicking here.
Ohio State Always Top Choice For Versatile Johnson
To view the commitment tracker, click here.
To view the uncommitted spotlights, click here.
Jake Johnson
Class of 2021 / SS
Rankings
StateRank: 31 / POS: 8
Player Information
-
Graduating Class: 2021
-
Primary Position: SSSecondary Position: RHP
-
High School: MedinaState: OH
- Summer Team: Release Baseball
-
Height: 6-0Weight: 190lbs
- Bat/Throw: R/R
Statistics
Pitching
93
Max FB
(07/01/21)
89 - 93
FB
(07/01/21)
68 - 72
CB
(02/16/20)
74 - 77
CH
(02/16/20)
Position
6.91
60-yard
(02/16/20)
92
INF Velo
(07/14/20)
94
Exit Velo
(07/14/20)
4.57
H-1st
(07/03/19)
Power Speed Score
(07/14/20)
Trackman - Fastball
88.6
Velocity (max)
(07/14/20)
83.9 - 88.5
Velo Range
(07/14/20)
87.4
Eff Velocity (avg)
(07/14/20)
2484
Spin Rate (max)
(07/14/20)
2221
Spin Rate (avg)
(07/14/20)
IVB (max)
(07/14/20)
IVB (avg)
(07/14/20)
HM (max)
(07/14/20)
HM (avg)
(07/14/20)
Extension (avg)
(07/14/20)
Release Ht (avg)
(07/14/20)
Spin Score (max)
(07/14/20)
Zone %
(07/14/20)
2020 Central Ohio Top Prospect Games (Invite Only)
Jul 14, 2020
Trackman - Fastball
Velocity (max)
88.6
Velo Range
83.9 - 88.5
Eff Velocity (avg)
87.4
Spin Rate (max)
2484
Spin Rate (avg)
2221
IVB (max)
IVB (avg)
HM (max)
HM (avg)
Extension (avg)
Release Ht (avg)
Spin Score (max)
Zone %
Trackman - Curveball
72.6
Velocity (max)
(07/14/20)
68.5 - 71.8
Velo Range
(07/14/20)
70.2
Eff Velocity (avg)
(07/14/20)
2320
Spin Rate (max)
(07/14/20)
2179
Spin Rate (avg)
(07/14/20)
IVB (max)
(07/14/20)
IVB (avg)
(07/14/20)
HM (max)
(07/14/20)
HM (avg)
(07/14/20)
Extension (avg)
(07/14/20)
Release Ht (avg)
(07/14/20)
Spin Score (max)
(07/14/20)
Zone %
(07/14/20)
2020 Central Ohio Top Prospect Games (Invite Only)
Jul 14, 2020
Trackman - Curveball
Velocity (max)
72.6
Velo Range
68.5 - 71.8
Eff Velocity (avg)
70.2
Spin Rate (max)
2320
Spin Rate (avg)
2179
IVB (max)
IVB (avg)
HM (max)
HM (avg)
Extension (avg)
Release Ht (avg)
Spin Score (max)
Zone %
Trackman - ChangeUp
71.3
Velocity (max)
(07/14/20)
67.8 - 70.4
Velo Range
(07/14/20)
69.5
Eff Velocity (avg)
(07/14/20)
2210
Spin Rate (max)
(07/14/20)
1639
Spin Rate (avg)
(07/14/20)
IVB (max)
(07/14/20)
IVB (avg)
(07/14/20)
HM (max)
(07/14/20)
HM (avg)
(07/14/20)
Extension (avg)
(07/14/20)
Release Ht (avg)
(07/14/20)
Spin Score (max)
(07/14/20)
Zone %
(07/14/20)
2020 Central Ohio Top Prospect Games (Invite Only)
Jul 14, 2020
Trackman - ChangeUp
Velocity (max)
71.3
Velo Range
67.8 - 70.4
Eff Velocity (avg)
69.5
Spin Rate (max)
2210
Spin Rate (avg)
1639
IVB (max)
IVB (avg)
HM (max)
HM (avg)
Extension (avg)
Release Ht (avg)
Spin Score (max)
Zone %
Trackman - Hitting
94.5
Exit Velocity (max)
(07/14/20)
86.9
Exit Velocity (avg)
(07/14/20)
232
Distance (avg)
(07/14/20)
363
Distance (max)
(07/14/20)
Hard Hit %
(07/14/20)
Line Drive %
(07/14/20)
Fly Ball %
(07/14/20)
Ground Ball %
(07/14/20)
2020 Central Ohio Top Prospect Games (Invite Only)
Jul 14, 2020
Trackman - Hitting
Exit Velocity (max)
94.5
Exit Velocity (avg)
86.9
Distance (avg)
232
Distance (max)
363
Hard Hit %
Line Drive %
Fly Ball %
Ground Ball %
Blast - Hitting
23.6
Hand Speed (max)
(07/14/20)
22.4
Hand Speed (avg)
(07/14/20)
77.7
Bat Speed (max)
(07/14/20)
68.4
Bat Speed (avg)
(07/14/20)
Rot. Acc (max)
(07/14/20)
Rot. Acc (avg)
(07/14/20)
On Plane Eff (avg)
(07/14/20)
MaxOnPlaneEfficiency
(07/14/20)
2020 Central Ohio Top Prospect Games (Invite Only)
Jul 14, 2020
Blast - Hitting
Hand Speed (max)
23.6
Hand Speed (avg)
22.4
Bat Speed (max)
77.7
Bat Speed (avg)
68.4
Rot. Acc (max)
Rot. Acc (avg)
On Plane Eff (avg)
MaxOnPlaneEfficiency
Videos
(7/14/20)
Player News
- Ohio State Always Top Choice For Versatile Johnson - Aug 18, 2020
- 2020 Central Ohio Top Prospect Games - Advanced Metrics w/Trackman and Blast Tech - Jul 21, 2020
- 2020 Central Ohio Top Prospect Games - Quick Hits - Jul 21, 2020
- Results From 2020 Central Ohio Top Prospect Games - Jul 15, 2020
- Uncommitted 2021s - Jul 2, 2020
- Johnson A Two-Way Recruit With A Lot Of Talent - Apr 14, 2020
- 2020 Scout Day: Release - Complete Evalutions - Mar 16, 2020
- 2020 Preseason All-State Upperclass - Blast Metrics - Mar 16, 2020
- 2020 Preseason All-State Upperclass- Complete Evaluations - Mar 8, 2020
- 2020 Scout Day: Release - Quick Hits - Feb 27, 2020
- Results from 2020 Scout Day: Release - Feb 18, 2020
- 2020 Preseason All-State Upperclass- Quick Hits - Feb 16, 2020
- 2020 Preseason All-State Upperclass Wrapup - A Great Event To 'See Where You Stack Up' - Feb 14, 2020
- 2020 Preseason All-State Upperclass - Advanced Hitting/Pitching Metrics - Feb 13, 2020
- Results from 2020 Preseason All-State Upperclass - Feb 10, 2020
- 2019 Ohio Underclass Games II - Complete Evaluations - Jul 24, 2019
- 2019 Ohio Underclass Games II - Top Performers - Jul 8, 2019
- 2019 Ohio Underclass Games II - Sneak Peek - Jul 8, 2019
- Results from 2019 Ohio Underclass Games II - Jul 5, 2019
- Scouting Notes: Top Uncommitted Prospects from the PBR Team Showcase at Baldwin Wallace/Oberlin/Walsh - Aug 29, 2018
- 2018 Northern Ohio Prospect Games: Complete Evaluations - Jul 21, 2018
- 2018 Worthington Wood Bat Tournament Showcase - Complete Evaluations - Jun 29, 2018
- 2018 Northern Ohio Prospect Games - Top Performers - Jun 26, 2018
- 2018 Northern Ohio Prospect Games - Sneak Peek - Jun 26, 2018
- Results from Ohio's 2018 Northern Ohio Prospect Games - Jun 22, 2018
- Results from Ohio's 2018 Worthington Wood Bat - Jun 15, 2018
Ohio State Always Top Choice For Versatile Johnson
MEDINA - Although the recruiting process was different than expected, the end result was what Jake Johnson hoped - an offer and commitment with Ohio State.
“It’s always been my top school since I started high school,” the Medina senior said. “It’s been option number one if I had a chance to go there.”
That opportunity came recently.
“During my last tournament with Release I talked afterward with (assistant) coach (Matt) Angle,” the 25th-rated 2021 in Ohio related. “I scheduled a call with (head) coach (Greg) Beals the next day. He offered and I accepted the same day.”
There was a lot to like about becoming a Buckeye for the top-ranked uncommitted incoming senior in the state prior to deciding on Ohio State as his future home.
“I always grew up an Ohio State fan,” Johnson reflected. “I watched them on TV and went to their games. What sold me was playing this summer with four other 2021 recruits. They all said good things about them and after hearing that I wanted to be a Buckeye.”
Johnson also heard something else that helped sway the decision to go to Ohio State over his other main two options, Cincinnati and Kent State - the potential to be a two-way player for the Big 10 school.
“That’s something I definitely wanted to do,” the sixth-ranked senior shortstop in Ohio said. “Depending on the school, I was looked at for hitting first. But some did look at me at pitcher first and I’ve always liked competing on the mound.”
That is something Johnson, who has topped out at 89 with his fastball while reaching 94 on exit velocity in addition to running a 6.91 time in the 60, believes he can bring to the OSU program.
“I’m a competitor,” Johnson said. “I love to compete. At the end of the day I want to win.”
Ohio State believes they have a winner in picking up their eighth top-28 ranked player from Ohio’s 2021 class.
“They like my versatility, that I can play on both sides of the ball,” Johnson explained. “I have the ability to play multiple positions with the Buckeyes.”
This summer the 17-year-old has played second, third and short in addition to pitcher.
“It’s what makes it the most fun,” Johnson noted. “The more you can do, the better chance you have to get on the field.”
Improvement has added to what the 5-10 185-pounder can provide.
“I’m way more conditioned on the mound than I was months ago,” Johnson said. “My velocity also continues to come up. Those are the biggest things I’ve improved at on the mound.
“As far as a position player, I continue to hit as much as I can. The more swings I get, the better I am at the plate. That can start a trend over the years.”
Putting in the work was made more difficult during the trying times of spring when COVID-19 came on the scene.
“I missed out on 20-some high school games,” Johnson pointed out. “That’s a lot. I missed out on getting better in-game and also missed out on coaches not being able to come watch me in person. That affected the recruiting process. I had to put videos together every week and get them videos which was the only thing they could go off. But at the end of the day I made it work.”
Now Johnson puts his sights on getting better.
“The biggest thing I want to develop is an elite tool to help get me in the lineup as quick as I can,” Johnson explained. “Whether that’s pitching, hitting or defending, if I develop one I have a good chance to play early for the Buckeyes.”
No doubt, Johnson will be putting in the hard work needed after the recruiting process has come to an end.
“It’s a dream come true,” Johnson said of making Ohio State his future home. “It was a big moment for me, my parents and my family.
“It’s different now,” Johnson added. “I’m not playing with the same pressure on as when I was uncommitted. But you still play hard no matter how you feel. It’s just nice to have some of that pressure taken off me.”