Johnny
Nelson

Wright State commit, currently ranked No. 30 in the state. 6-foot-1, 188-pound frame, looks to have added lean strength, sloped shoulders with a trim waist, present muscle throughout, also a QB1. Started at third base and hit out of the two-hole, finished 1-for-2 with a lineout and a walk. Right-handed hitter, continues to clean up his operation and approach, showed minimal swing/miss and attacked in the zone, twitchy hands, stays through the zone with a flatter path. Impressive defender, quick first step and covers ground to all angles, confident hands, made a highly impressive play to his backhand during BP deep in the five-hole, proceeded to make a strong ‘Jeter’ jump throw across the diamond with accuracy and carry. Premium athlete, extreme versatility, played in the outfield at the Future Games for Team Illinois and fit right in.

Another former future gamer and Wright State commit, Nelson finished the week 6-for-15 with a double, two RBIs, five runs, three walks, HBP, and three stolen bases.

INF Johnny Nelson (Oak Park-River Forest, 2026; Wright State commit) continues to raise his stock it seems with each look we get. Standing in at a lean and strong 6-foot-1, 188-pounds, he took an impressive round of BP while showing a strong operation with length through the zone and whip in the barrel, working up to 95 mph for his peak EV while averaging 89 mph. He showed athletic actions on the infield with fluid and easy movement patterns, pairing with steady hands and a strong arm with life (T93 mph).

Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 6-0, 177.5 pounds. Highly-athletic, wide-shouldered frame.
Hit: RHH. Wide setup, fluid connected load and slight leg-lift trigger. Strong with length through the zone, some whip in the barrel, 69.3 mph bat speed with 9g of rotational acceleration.
Power: 95 mph max exit velocity (89.1 avg.).
Arm: RH. INF - 93 mph. Short, clean and athletic arm action, throws accurate from multiple platforms.
Defense: Athletic mover and actions on the infield. Fluid and easy actions, gathers through release at times.
Athletic Testing: 7.10 runner in the 60-yard dash; 28.10-inch max vertical jump.
Vizual Edge: 78.01 Edge Score.

2024 Future Games: Johnny Nelson (Oak Park-River Forest) was another member of Team Illinois that had a strong showing during the event’s workout portion. A lean and athletic 6-foot, 177-pounds, Nelson started the event by running a 6.98 60, while also reaching a max vertical of 30.9”. During batting practice, he showed some of the quicker hands on average for the event at 23.3 mph (T24.8), which allowed for added bat speed from the right side, with a max of 77.6 mph. A primary third baseman defensively, he showed a strong arm on the infield where his top bullet registered at 87 mph. Nelson would get time in the outfield as well during gameplay where he showed comfortable actions and athleticism.

An athletic, 6-foot-2, 180-pound athletic frame, Nelson showed well on the mound and with the bat. On the mound, the righty came in for relief with a quick, snappy arm. The fastball was sitting 82-85 mph and the curveball was sitting 76-78 mph. He showed command and feel for both pitches, generating outs and limiting damage. With the bat, he found a barrel in his last at-bat lining a double into the left-center gap. He stays compact with quick and strong hands that drive the baseball. Nelson also showed well with the glove at the start of the game making plays with ease and showing quick hands and a strong arm from different slots.

INF Johnny Nelson (Oak Park-River Forest, 2026) is an upside prospect to know in the state. Currently ranked No. 23 in Illinois, the right-handed hitter flashed some power potential throughout his round with an uphill path and loose stroke, reaching up to 91.4 mph for his EV. Impressive athlete, recording a 6.97 in the 60 with a 31.2” max vertical.

Athletic frame at 6-foot-2 180-pounds. Impressed on the mound during his complete-game performance on Saturday morning. Started out the game sitting in the low-80’s but gained velocity as the game went on, sitting 83-86 mph and T87 in the fifth inning. Mixed in a sharp breaking-ball in the low-70s to keep hitters off balance. Finished the game with 11Ks.

Positional Profile: SS/RHP
Body: 6-1, 180-pounds. Athletic, evenly proportioned, room to add on.
Hit: RHH. Stock setup, short stride.  Slight hand load, flat path, handsy swing through impact, line-drive approach.
Power: 83 max exit velocity, averaged 76.9 mph. 221’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 77 mph. Short and loose arm action that operates from a high 3/4 slot. Throws flashed carry across the infield.
Defense: Smooth footwork. Dependable glove with soft hands, fluid actions, clean exchange,
Run: 7.60 runner in the 60. 

Delivery: Controlled tempo, medium leg lift, drop and drive lower half.
Arm Action: RH. Loose, short arm action, high 3/4 arm slot.
FB: T83, 78-82 mph. Some carry, plays in the top half of the zone T1888, 1764 average rpm.
CB: 67-70 mph. Flashed feel for the zone, tight 12/6 movement. T2283, 2194 average rpm.
CH: 68-71 mph. Similar shape to the fastball, throws with intent. T1617, 1574 average rpm.