Tyler Johnson

A righthander from Midlothian, Va., Johnson emerged as an electric asset in the South Carolina bullpen as a sophomore, going 3-2, 2.42 with nine saves and 59 strikeouts to eight walks in 52 innings. Johnson made one start that year, throwing a complete-game in a regional against UNC Wilmington, striking out 11 and allowing just one run on five hits. Johnson was limited to just 25.2 innings this spring after suffering an injury in the rivalry series against Clemson in early March. Johnson suffered a stress reaction in his humerus, which created an inflammatory response and led to soreness, mainly in Johnson's bicep and tricep. There was no structural damage, but Johnson did miss about a month as he waited for the soreness to subside. Since then, Johnson has looked as sharp as ever, touching 100 mph twice post-injury and routinely sitting in the upper 90s. In the SEC tournament against Vanderbilt, Johnson struck out eight and allowed just one hit in 4.1 innings of relief to close out an important win for the Gamecocks. While he can touch triple digits, Johnson is at his most effective when he throws in the 95-98 mph range, which he's better able to command down in the zone. Command is still an area of concern with scouts, as is Johnson's breaking ball, which he hasn't found--and hasn't needed--at the college level. Because of those questions, Johnson has a reliever's profile. But his sheer arm strength gives him the chance to be a high-leverage bullpen arm if he can find an effective secondary pitch.