Kensen
Johnson

In a playoff atmosphere where momentum swings are everything, Johnson delivered the game’s biggest blow — launching a no-doubt two-run home run to left field in the fourth inning to break things wide open for Bonita Vista. The blast not only shifted the tone of the game, it helped propel the Barons into the second round, where they’ll face Rancho Bernardo tomorrow afternoon. At the plate, Johnson shows a mature, aggressive approach with explosive hands and already-present raw power. Hitting .340 this spring with 11 extra-base hits, he’s consistently shown the ability to impact the baseball and change games with one swing. The two-run shot today came in a two strike count where he got a pitch middle in and turned it around with authority. The bat speed is real, and the strength in his frame stands out immediately for a ‘28. His swing has natural lift and the ability to generate backspin to all fields. Physically, Johnson is an uber-athletic prospect with a long, lean frame and present strength, and there’s significant projection left. The raw tools jump off the page — size, speed, strength, and an arm that already plays on the left side of the infield (and on the mound). He’s still developing his overall polish at shortstop, but the foundation is there: fluid actions, solid range, and plenty of arm to stick at the position as he grows into his body. Not to mention, he also pitches and has flashed legit 2-way potential. What’s just as impressive as the tools is how he handles the moment. As a freshman, Johnson doesn’t shy away from the spotlight, he thrives in it. His home run came at a crucial point in a tight playoff game, and he delivered with confidence and energy. There’s leadership in his game already, and he plays with a natural edge that elevates his team. Johnson is firmly establishing himself as one of the top rising freshmen not only in San Diego, but across all of California. With rare size, athleticism, and power for his age, he’s a must-follow name in the 2028 class. As he continues to refine his defensive game and see more high-level reps, the sky is truly the limit.

Heading into this game, there was one name I had circled on my sheet, and it was Kensen Johnson. The 6’4” freshman was absolutely dominant at the plate against Montgomery, and he lived up to every bit of the anticipation. His first at-bat in the leadoff spot set the tone for the day, as the tall right-handed hitter ripped the first pitch he saw down the left-field line for a double, showing off his aggressive approach and confidence at the plate. That aggressive mindset, especially for such a young hitter, is something I can really appreciate as Johnson trusts his swing and doesn’t hesitate to attack pitches he likes. His second at-bat was even more impressive, as he jumped all over a fastball left in the zone and drove it to right-center for an RBI triple, flashing both his raw power and impressive speed, two tools that are already pretty refined for his age. He wasn’t done yet, tacking on a single in his third at-bat to cap off a 3-for-4 day that included an RBI and a stolen base. For my first look at Johnson, it was an incredible performance, and while there’s still plenty of room for him to refine and sharpen different parts of his game, I’m more than excited to see how he continues to grow into his frame and develop his tools over the next few years.