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Hilltopper Showstopper: Stephen Johnson Bursts Onto National Scene

Updated: Friday, February 10 2012, 02:31 PM CST
St. Edward's right-hander Stephen Johnson's fastball touches 100mph and he's ranked among the top 60 prospects eligible for June's Major League Baseball draft.

Making the transition from a starting pitcher to a closer this season, Stephen Johnson did not bring ALL of the stereotypes with him to the bullpen.

"A lot of people think closers are supposed to be amped up 24/7," says Johnson.  "But I'm not like that.  I don't even drink caffeine."

Why would he?  Johnson's right arm delivers more voltage than any can could ever provide.

"I've been in this business fifteen years, and I've never seen anyone hit 100 [miles per hour] on the gun," said St. Edward's head baseball coach Rob Penders.

Until Johnson.  Earlier this week, the right-hander reached 101 mph on the radar gun.

Thanks to a fastball that touches triple digits, the St. Ed's junior is lighting up radar guns and shooting up the draft board.  He's listed as the 59th overall prospect for June's Major League Baseball amateur draft.  However, out of high school, Johnson attracted the attention of only small programs and junior colleges.

"Coming out of high school I was still slender and didn't really know how to work out," says Johnson.  "I was topping out at 88 or 90 [miles per hour]."

"He didn't have any type of special treatment," says Penders.  "He's on the same pitching program as everyone else.  He just went the extra mile, and it shows."

Perhaps the only thing scarier than digging into the batter's box to face Johnson's triple-digit heat is the thought that he might actually be able to throw even faster.  According to Penders, Johnson still has room to grow.

"I think he's just scratched the surface on this thing.  When you look at his body and the progress he's made in a short time, once he really fills out, you have to wonder where he'll be."

Earlier this month, Baseball America named Johnson the 2012 Division II Preseason Pitcher of the Year, and ranked the junior as the number one overall prospect in Division II.Hilltopper Showstopper: Stephen Johnson Bursts Onto National Scene