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Angels Prospect Skips Minor Leagues in Rare Move

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Olivia Fey | Last updated Mar 26, 2025 2:20 PM ET

Ryan Johnson, the 22-year-old pitcher chosen as the 74th overall pick in the 2024 MLB Draft has made the Los Angeles Angels Opening Day roster right out of spring training, ESPN reported.

Johnson is only the 24th player to skip the Minor Leagues after getting drafted.

Garret Crochet, a pitcher for the Boston Red Sox, is the last player this has happened to when he was selected straight from the draft in 2020.

Johnson was named Conference USA Pitcher of the Year while in his senior season at Dallas Baptist University.

During spring training, Johnson pitched 11 1/3 innings, allowed five runs, and had 11 hits and one walk.

The pitcher was the "compensatory pick received after Shohei Ohtani left in free agency," according to the MLB.

The right-hander made headlines after facing off against Ohtani night during spring training.

“He proved that he matured, even though he hadn’t had any professional experience. He throws strikes, and he’s not afraid, and he makes adjustments. I just think he can fit good in our bullpen. We didn’t give him anything, he took the job,” said Angels manager Ron Washington.

“It’s just unreal, not at all how I pictured it. Thought it would be more [like] three, four years down the road and just planning for the long haul," said Johnson as he described the "surreal moment" when he received the news from Washington.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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