Evan Johnson '21 Recruiting Profile

Nolan Ryan once said “One of the beautiful things about baseball is that every once in a while you come into a situation where you want to, and where you have to, reach down and prove something.” I have always taken pride in hard work, dedication and proving myself in everything I do. I do whatever is necessary on and off the baseball field to set a positive example for others.  My athletic and academic standards are very high and maintaining a high GPA is just as important to me as my success as a baseball player.

My parents say I was “born with a ball in my hand”.  The only toy I have ever really played with is a ball.  It didn’t matter what sport (football, basketball or baseball), I just wanted to be part of it and compete.  I have always been the biggest kid in my class.  Along with this, came high expectations; people thought I was older, stronger, and more athletic because I was big. I had to work hard and keep up with those expectations.  This helped me to become a strong leader for my team. 

Because of age restrictions in Kansas (where I was born), I wasn’t able to play organized baseball.  We moved to Lubbock, Texas when I was 5 years old.  Texas gave me the opportunity to start Little League baseball and from then on, I was a baseball player.  I have moved up through Little League, Select Baseball and High School baseball.  Frenship baseball (6A) selected me as the only freshman starter on their 2017-2018 roster.  I was given the opportunity as a starting pitcher and number 1 relief pitcher my freshman year.  Our high school team was ranked as high as 4th in the state and ended the season with a 27-4 record.  I am playing on a D-Bat Elite select baseball team in Dallas, Texas.  The players are from as far as Colorado and Oklahoma.  Baseball has not only taught me so much about sport, hard work, dedication and teamwork….  It has connected me with lifelong friends in many areas of the country.

I have taken as many pre-AP courses in High School as possible.  By taking these advanced level courses in High School, I will have the opportunity to pursue many different majors at the University level.  One area I have become interested in is Sports Medicine/Training.  I know this is a difficult career path but through athletics I have developed skills like a strong work ethic and time management that will help me succeed in college.

At the end of my 8^th grade football season, I sustained a serious injury that took me out of sports for almost a year.  During that time, I learned patience.  I focused on rehabbing and becoming stronger.  Due to this injury, I have become a stronger person physically and mentally.  I have also learned how important it is to have faith.  Through this rehab process, I found that I really enjoy the sports medicine/training profession and hope to pursue it in the future.  I loved going to rehab twice a week and seeing the results of working hard and following the protocol.  I would like the opportunity to influence someone like my trainers influenced me.

I have always tried to improve my athletic skills over the years.  I have had the same pitching coach for the last 7 years.  Coach Walden has helped me develop great pitching mechanics and increased velocity.  I am currently throwing my fastball at 84-87 mph and have a really good changeup and breaking pitch.  I hide the ball well and have a lot of movement on my fastball that sets me apart from most pitchers my age.  My secondary positions are 3B, SS and 1B.  I have been clocked throwing across the field at 91.  I have always had great hand/eye coordination which gives me success at fielding and hitting.  When I am not pitching, I am usually playing 3B, SS or DHing. 

I will help my team in any capacity to be successful.  I know people play many different roles and I will play any role a coach plugs me into.  Competing and striving to be a better person on and off the field is my ultimate goal.