The 2025 MLB season starts on March 27 for 28 of the 30 teams. The Angels beefed up their bullpen for this year with Kenley Jansen and now, add Ryan Johnson to the mix. The 22-year-old right-hander will go from Dallas Baptist ace to MLB reliever in just a matter of months.
A Look at Johnson
Former Dallas Baptist star Ryan Johnson turned himself into one of the best 2024 MLB Draft prospects a year earlier after a standout season in college. Johnson struck out 116 over 87.1 IP, then joined the USA collegiate team that summer. The right-hander struck out 151 more batters over 106 innings, leading a strong DBU team.
Johnson was selected with the 74th overall pick last July. However, he did not pitch in the Minors.
Across six spring outings with the Angels, the 22-year-old struck out 10 over 11.1 IP, along with a 1.06 WHIP. Johnson posted a 21.7% Whiff% in Spring Training. He was a non-roster invite this spring.
Now, he’s set to join the Angels, a team that’s got depth in the bullpen to begin with, between Ryan Zeferjahn, Ben Joyce, Kenley Jansen, plus left-handers Brock Burke and Garrett McDaniels. Johnson had his contract selected by the Angels, as he’ll make the team on Opening Day.
It’s not uncommon for college pitchers to skip the Minors altogether. Mike Leake went straight from college to the Reds in 2010, although he was demoted a year later. Garrett Crochet joined the White Sox’s bullpen in 2020. That situation was different, however, given the Minor Leagues were shut down that year.
As to what Johnson has, the 22-year-old had a blistering fastball in college. However, how it comes out is a different story. Johnson has a unique load & delivery, coming from a rapid-fire motion and low 3/4 arm slot.
He was a heavy sinkerballer in his outing against the Dodgers on March 23, hitting as hard as 97 MPH both with the two-seamer and four-seamer. Given the arm slot and arsenal, the fastballs don’t have much in the way of induced vertical movement. His sinker is a heavy one, one around 2.8” more downward movement compared to the league average.
Johnson will also mix in a slider and cutter, alongside a changeup. Remember, the 22-year-old was a starter at Dallas Baptist and possesses a starter’s arsenal. But, he’ll begin his career as a reliever.
Analysis
Add another hard-throwing righty into the Angels’ bullpen.
Granted, it’s not uncommon to see hard-throwing pitchers come up as relievers before moving into a starting role. But in the interim, Johnson’s stuff can be harnessed at the big league level, rather than waiting a year or two for him to be ready as a starter.
After all, the fastball is a big offering and is a good weapon to get MLB hitters out now.
The other component of this move is the fact Johnson can give opposing hitters another look. His delivery is inherently unique, separating him from the other relievers in the Angels’ bullpen.
Fantasy Impact
Since Johnson likely won’t figure into the Angels’ ninth-inning situation, the right-hander has minimal fantasy value.
Johnson isn’t the only notable college player from 2024 to make it to a MLB roster. Astros prospect Cam Smith will be on Houston’s Opening Day roster.