Guardians Baseball Insider

Image: NC State Athletics

The Cleveland Indians selected Reid Johnston- Right-handed Pitcher with the 19th round pick (566th overall) in the 2021 MLB Draft.

https://insidepacksports.com/s/7595/reid-johnston-will-sign-pro-contract-with-cleveland

Reid Johnston – Right-handed Pitcher

School: North Carolina State
Age: 22.3
Height: 6’3; Weight: 218
Throws: Right

Reid Johnston Pre-Draft Rankings:

Perfect Game – 500+

Willie Hood’s Analysis:

The North Carolina native went undrafted of high school in 2017, instead honoring his commitment to North Carolina State. As a freshman, the righty appeared in 21 games making 10 starts and recording 4 saves, pumping out 64.2 innings striking out 49 (6.82 K9) walking 15 (2.09 BB9). As a sophomore, he appeared in 8 games with 5 starts and 1 CG striking out 37 (9.08 K9), 11 walks (2.70 BB9). In his Covid shortened 2020, he appeared in four games with three starts striking out 17 (12.04 K9), walking 4 (2.84 BB9). Once again undrafted in 2020, he returned in 2021, making 16 appearances with 12 starts, 1 CG, 1 save with 96 strikeouts (8.94 K9), and 23 walks (2.14 BB9). He pitched with the Cotuit Kettleers of the Cape Cod League and was an All-Star, making 6 starts recording 24.2 innings punching out 17, and walking 5. 

On the mound, he displays an extended (lengthy inverted elbow) three-quarters delivery. Stuff-wise, the righty appears to show a four-pitch mix, including his fastball, slider, curve, and changeup. His fastball sits in the low-90 and touches 93 mph with sink to it. His changeup is an average pitch with the potential to be more. Johnston has an inconsistent curveball that flashes above-average occasionally. The soon-to-be-former member of the Wolf Pack also shows a low-80’s slider. The righty is an unspectacular pitcher with a solid four-pitch mix and above-average control. As a fourth-year player with a remaining year of eligibility remaining. Johnston is expected to sign in the coming days.

Press Release:

Posted a 9-3 mark this spring for the Wolfpack (96.2IP, 84H, 48ER, 23BB, 96SO) and has a 3.93 ERA across 58
games/39 starts for NC State since 2018 (251.2IP, 229H, 110ER, 227SO)…Had a 1.82 ERA in the 2019 Cape Cod
League (6GS, 24.2IP, 22H, 5ER) in 2019…Third-team All-ACC for the College World Series participants.