Clay Miller was the only athlete from a local high school to be drafted in last weekends Major League Baseball Draft. But he wasnt the only area native to get the call.
Sean Johnson, a Durango native who went on to attend Fountain Valley School in Colorado Springs, was selected in the 31st round (918th overall) by the Chicago Cubs out of Iowa Western Community College on Saturday.Johnson, a 6-6 right-handed pitcher, threw 40 2/3 innings this year for IWCC over 10 appearances. He accrued a 5-2 record and a 2.21 earned-run average while striking out 42 and walking 12 in his freshman season. Johnson added a complete game while allowing 14 total runs and 31 total hits.
Despite being drafted, Johnson has no plans to sign with the Cubs this summer, according to an email to The Durango Herald from Johnsons father, Mike Johnson. Sean Johnson also is the son of Lori Johnson, and his parents reside in Durango. The 18-year-old pitcher landed on the radar of the Cubs scouting department after attending a pre-draft workout at Wrigley Field earlier in the week of the draft.
Johnson also was an all-state hockey player and all-conference golfer during his time in high school before choosing to pursue baseball in college. Iowa Western CC went 45-14 this season before bowing out in the National Junior College Athletic Association district tournament. The Reivers captured national titles in 2010 and 2012.
heraldsports@durangoherald.com
