Kevin Johnson's Offseason
BELOIT, Wisc.- Overall, the Snappers had a very disappointing season in 2015. Despite a much better second half, Beloit finished 55-84, tied for the worst record in Beloit professional baseball history. The team no doubt had some talented players who, once they put it all together, will be able to produce in a big way. Many of those pieces will be back in Beloit to begin the 2016 season, and manager Fran Riordan will be looking for bounce back years from all of them. Reliever Kevin Johnson is among those who will be trying to get his minor league career on track.
The Athletics drafted Johnson in the 24th round of the 2013 MLB First-Year Player Draft after he posted a 3.22 ERA in 67 innings during his senior year at the University of Illinois. From his sophomore year on, Johnson, a native of Lake Zurich, Ill., served as Illinois' No. 1 starter. He was an All-Academic Big Ten selection during his junior year in 2012. Johnson was also drafted in the 31st round by the Yankees in 2012, but opted not to sign, allowing his draft stock to rise in 2013. After Oakland signed him, however, Johnson suffered a forearm strain and missed the rest of the 2013 season. To make matters worse, Tommy John surgery cost him his entire 2014 season as well.
Johnson's first professional season was somewhat of a mixed bag as he went 2-7 with a 4.86 ERA in 34 appearances, eight of them starts. He struck out 54 while walking 27 in 79 2/3 innings of work. However, having just come off Tommy John surgery, Johnson was not pitching at 100% for the entire season, nor was he using his entire arsenal.
"For most of the season I was fastball, change-up, curveball," Johnson said. "But around the All-Star break I tried to bring back my slider, which was a pitch I relied on before the Tommy John surgery."
Johnson also made some changes to his mechanics at the end of the season that he hopes to continue using in 2016.
"During the last month of the season I was working on keeping my left hand higher so I don't open up quite as quick," he said. "I think it'll help me be more consistent."
Johnson is primarily using this offseason to prepare for his second full professional season. He's been staying busy with a strict workout regimen, which he started in November.
"I'm resting my arm right now, but I've been doing a lot of arm care stuff, strengthening my shoulders," he said. "We don't start to throw until January but I'm preparing to throw. I've also been focusing more on core stabilization this offseason, which is a little different from what I've done in past offseasons. I'm taking two cycling classes a week and doing high intensity yoga workouts."
Despite his busy schedule, Johnson has been leaving time for his personal life as well.
"I play pickup basketball during the offseason," he said. "I can't really do that in-season because there's not a lot of time. I've also been in downtown Chicago a lot this offseason since my girlfriend lives there."
Once he starts throwing, Johnson hopes to work on getting more sink on his fastball. He also said he hopes to become a full-time starter again at some point as he was primarily a reliever in 2015.
"Unfortunately that's not up to me, but I like my game tailored as a starter," he said. "My arsenal of pitches is more of a starter and I prepare better as a starter." He would be open to pitching in relief again if need be, however.
"I saw things I liked and things I didn't like [with relief]," Johnson said. "I got a good feel for it. There's definitely more adrenaline not knowing when you're going to come into a game."
"I thought I had some good games and bad games, but I hope to become more consistent and eliminate those bad games."
The Snappers will open their 35th season in the Stateline as the team begins the 2016 season at Pohlman Field against the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers on Thursday, April 7th, 2016. The Beloit Snappers are a member of the Midwest League and are a fourth year affiliate of the Oakland Athletics. Please stay tuned to www.snappersbaseball.com and the Snappers' Facebook and Twitter (@BeloitSnappers) accounts for all up to date news. Call (608) 362-2272 or stop by the office at Pohlman Field for information on 2016 season ticket packages.
Written by: Bradley Star