LSU pitching commit Cameron Johnson selected by St. Louis Cardinals in 2023 MLB Draft
LSU pitching commit Cameron Johnson was selected by the St. Louis Cardinals with the No. 605 overall pick in the 20th and final round of the 2023 MLB Draft.
According to his Perfect Game scouting report, Johnson is quite the prospect. He was ranked the No. 10 overall prospect by the service.
“Cameron Johnson is a 2023 LHP/1B with a 6-5 230 lb. frame from Upper Marlboro, MD who attends IMG Academy,” the report read. “Extra large, physical build with lots of strength throughout. Primary left-handed pitcher who only pitched during the event. Extended three-quarters arm slot with an extended, pronated release. Fastball worked 90-94 mph, still touching 94 mph on his final two pitches, with up to 20+ inches of horizontal movement. Deadly sinking and running fastball that gave fits to hitters of either handedness.
“Breaking ball showed slider shape and bite with plenty of sweeping action. Flashed a firmer changeup sparingly but got whiffs with it. Unique fastball quality with a strong package overall. Good student. Verbal commitment to LSU. Named to the 2022 PG All-American Classic.”
Despite being a highly touted prospect, Johnson fell throughout the draft and was one of the final few picks.
More on the 2023 MLB Draft
The 2023 Major League Baseball Draft will begin during All-Star week, with the first two rounds getting underway at 7 p.m. ET on Sunday, July 9. Rounds 3-10 will then begin at 2 p.m. ET on Monday, July 10, with rounds 11-20 starting at 2 p.m. ET on Tuesday, July 11.
This year’s MLB Draft is a historic one, as a draft lottery was used to determine the order for the first time. The Washington Nationals, Pittsburgh Pirates and Oakland Athletics each had a 16.5% chance to receive the No. 1 overall pick. Ultimately, Pittsburgh won the right to have the first selection, with Washington finishing right behind them at No. 2. Oakland, however, fell all the way down to No. 6 overall.
While the MLB Draft is always unpredictable, the consensus is that this year’s top prospects both hail from LSU, who won the 2023 College World Series. Pitcher Paul Skenes and outfielder Dylan Crews headline this year’s class, which is considered a deep one.
Within the first ten rounds of the draft, each slot is assigned a certain value. Each team has a bonus pool that they are able to spend on these picks, and players will sign at, above or below their assigned slot value.
In rounds 11-20, there is no assigned slot value and MLB teams are free to spend up to $150,000 to sign their picks from the second half of the draft. If they exceed the $150,000 mark, that added amount will be deducted from their bonus pool.
Following the final day of the 2023 MLB Draft, selected players will have until August 1 to sign a contract.