Max
Johnson

OF Max Johnson (South Milwaukee, 2024) is one of the top uncommitted prospects in the state’s 2024 class, and was a top performer throughout the summer circuit. Johnson stands at an athletic 5-foot-9, 180-pound frame with strength throughout. Continued to show well this weekend out of the lead-off spot for PTA Cardinal. Johnson nearly left the yard during the first game of the weekend, sending a double off the left-center fence. The right-handed hitter is also quick out of the box and an above average defender in the outfield. Currently ranked No. 135 inside the Wisconsin 2024 class.

OF Max Johnson (South Milwaukee, 2024) profiles as a strong athlete in Wisconsin’s uncommitted 2024 class. Listed as 5-foot-9, 180 pounds, Johnson clearly presents strength throughout his frame. At the plate, Johnson shows a narrow, upright setup with a strong back elbow. He stayed controlled towards his hitting side and remained athletic throughout the entirety of the swing. With strong hands and a quick twitch, Johnson’s BP round was impressive and caught attention at the event. In live gameplay, Johnson tallied a double and came around to score while flying around the basepaths. With multiple tools present Johnson remains an uncommitted follow in Wisconsin’s 2024 class.

Positional Profile: OF/C
Body: 5-9, 180-pounds. Strong, compact build with a thick base.
Hit: RHH. Narrow and upright set up, higher hands, strong back elbow, short controlled stride to hitting position, athletic hitting position.  Strong hands with twitch. Short to the baseball, line drives to all fields, on the barrel throughout. Hitterish.  67.6 mph bat speed with 13 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 93 max exit velocity, averaged 84 mph. 310’ max distance.
Arm: RH. OF - 76 mph. High 3/4 slot, repeats.
Defense: One hand gather, shuffle step towards target.
Run: 7.15 runner in the 60.

 OF Max Johnson (South Milwaukee, 2024) is an athletically built 5-foot-9, 180-pound outfielder who showed off his tools during Tuesday’s showcase in Franklin. Johnson started off his day by turning in a 7.04 60-yard dash, and reached a top speed of 19.6 mph. At the plate, Johnson uses his quick hands that topped at 21.7 mph, per Blast Motion, to create backspin to both gaps, and he averaged EVs just over 85 mph throughout his round. In the outfield, Johnson is an athletic mover, and topped at 77 mph on his throws home with carry. 

Positional Profile: OF/C
Body: 5-9, 180-pounds. Athletic build. Strength in lower half.
Hit: RHH. Stock base, upright setup, high hands. Sinks into lower half, athletic, short stride, short and quick hands down and through the baseball creates backspin to both gaps. 69 mph bat speed with 14 G’s of rotational acceleration.
Power: 90 max exit velocity, averaged 85.6 mph. 333’ max distance.
Arm: RH. OF - 77 mph. Quick arm action, 3/4 slot baseball carries with backspin on target to the home.
Defense: One hand gather into shuffle step.
Run: 7.04 runner in the 60.

Johnson is a toolsy prospect that showed off his all-around ability in game one of the weekend. A three sport athlete, Johnson excels in all parts of the game and at the plate he has a loose, athletic swing and is able to drive the baseball to the gaps where he is able to use his legs to take extra bases. Defensively Johnson plays an advanced center field where he easily diagnoses the baseball and takes the proper routes to the baseball.  

Positional Profile: UTILITY/C
Body: 5-9, 180-pounds. Compact, strong base, narrow waist, strong upper body
Hits: RHH. Balanced/square stance, static hands set high; quick weight shift load back. hand quickness top down steeper path geared for contact ability to back spin balls
Power: 92 max exit velocity, averaged 81.7 MPH. 319' max distance.
Arm: RH. C-74 mph. OF-83 mph. Short draw, 3Q slot, back spins it with some carry, OF: Quick to get rid of it using feet to gain momentum towards target
Defense: 2.03-2.12 pop times. Behind plate, showed quick tranfer allowing the ball to travel and short right foot. From the outfield, displayed first step burst and quickness, clean transfer
Run: 7.19 runner in the 60.

Built at a sturdy 5-foot-9, 180-pounds Johnson showed well in many facets on Wednesday. Johnson started his day off by running a 7.19 in the 60-yard dash and then followed it up with a solid round of BP. Working from a balanced and square stance, Johnson’s top to downswing path showed a contact profile with the ability to backspin the ball to all fields.  Behind the plate, Max showed quick hands on the transfer with plenty of carry through the bag with his best pop time at 2.03.  The versatility, athleticism, strength, and twitchy nature of this athlete provide some ceiling and a name to follow as he enters his junior year at South Milwaukee.

During our PBR at The Rock 15u Championships, Johnson had himself a game against PTA Cardinal both at the plate and on the mound for the Milwaukee Hitmen. On the mound, Johnson threw a five inning complete game, allowing one unearned run on one hit and struck out five. Johnson worked with a two-seam fastball sitting 74-75, topping out at 78 mph. He changed speeds effectively by flipping in a curveball at 67-69 mph that spun off an 11/5 plane. Offensively, Johnson went 3-for-3 with three singles.