BALTIMORE — Luke Johnson thought skilled baseball was potential for him after his junior yr at UMBC. That risk is now a actuality.
“It’s simply sort of a dream come true,” stated the 22-year-old.
Johnson was chosen by the Washington Nationals within the Major League Baseball draft on Monday. He was picked within the tenth spherical, 290th general.
“It’s simply actually cool to appreciate I’m going to have the ability to preserve enjoying baseball for a short time, particularly in a company that’s fairy near my home. I’ve a whole lot of household within the space.”
The 6-foot-1, 195-pound righty grew up in Bethesda, Md. earlier than transferring to Lewes, Del. That’s the place he was when WMAR-2 Sports reporter Shawn Stepner chatted with him by way of Zoom on Thursday.
Johnson is the primary UMBC participant drafted in eight years. He describes himself as a flexible pitcher.
“I had a reasonably good profession at UMBC,” he stated. “I assumed yearly I simply stored getting higher and higher whereas I used to be there.”
He was adequate to turn out to be the primary participant to win America East Conference Pitcher of the Year outright twice within the award’s 34 yr historical past. He was adequate for scouts from the Orioles and Nationals to ask to see him pitch reside. For him that was fairly particular.
“Obviously I’m not an Oriole. But that’s been my group since I used to be rising up an Orioles fan. But, Nationals I all the time say is my National League group.”
Luke was an Orioles fan primarily as a result of his dad, Drew, was a minor-leaguer within the O’s group in 1992. He performed the infield for the Class-A Kane County Cougars.
“In a approach I sort of really feel like I’m dwelling his dream slightly bit. He bought signed, happily, however he undoubtedly needed to get drafted. It was actually cool to be with him and share that second with him after I did get drafted and simply all of the feelings and all the things like that. It was actually cool to be part of and I’m glad he was right here for that.”
Drew can now assist his son pack his baggage. Luke heads to the Nationals’ facility in West Palm Beach, Fla. over the subsequent few days for rookie ball.
Follow Shawn Stepner on Twitter @StepnerWMAR and Facebook
