Tall, live-arm Illinois transfer searching for better command
In the 2026 season, Illinois RHP Ryan Johnson has had a rough stat line—4 appearances, 1 start, 3.0 innings, 2 strikeouts, and a 27.00 ERA—but the bigger picture is a 6'4", 175-pound right-hander with a starter’s frame and transfer upside from Georgia Tech. He’s the kind of arm teams bet on for projection: long, projectable, and still building consistency after a rocky Illinois debut start against Butler. If you’re looking for immediate polish, he’s not that guy; if you want a developmental pitcher with bounce-back potential, the ingredients are there.
