Waterloo, IA – The Waterloo Bucks have announced that right-handed pitcher Drasen Johnson (pronounced DRAY-zen) will return to Waterloo for his second season in 2014. Johnson, a junior at the University of Illinois, is the 10th player to be named to the Bucks’ roster for the team’s 20th season.
Last season for Waterloo, Johnson went 5-0 in 17 appearances, mostly as a middle-reliever. The 6’3”, 200-pounder threw 42 innings, striking out 36 and finishing with a 1.89 ERA. Johnson had a 1.26 WHIP and held opposing batters to a .250 average.
“Drasen made big strides last summer with each appearance he took on the mound,” said Bucks field manager Travis Kiewiet. “He filled multiple roles for us as well from starting the season being a bullpen guy to starting for us at the end of the season. I expect Drasen to be a difference maker for us and will be heavily counted on in whatever role he is put into this summer.”
Last season for the Fighting Illini, the Chillicothe, Illinois native finished with a 3-1 record and a 3.07 ERA in 20 appearances. Johnson notched 12 strikeouts in 29.1 innings.
Born December 23, 1991, Johnson attended Illinois Valley Central High School where he was listed as the number 25 prospect in the class of 2010 in Illinois by Prep Baseball Report. Johnson went 8-2 with a 2.07 ERA and 78 strikeouts in 67 innings as a senior. Drasen is the son of Greg and Jessica Johnson.
The Bucks will open the 2014 season on the road versus the Rochester Honkers on May 27, but return to Waterloo for their home opener versus Rochester on May 28. Season tickets and group outings are currently on sale. For more information, call the Bucks’ Ticket Line at (319) 232-5633. Fans are encouraged to stay in touch with the Bucks in the off-season by utilizing their website at www.waterloobucks.com.
The Waterloo Bucks are a member of the finest developmental league for elite college baseball players, the Northwoods League. Playing its 21st season of summer collegiate baseball, the Northwoods League is the largest organized baseball league in the world with 18 teams, drawing significantly more fans, in a friendly ballpark experience, than any league of its kind. A valuable training ground for coaches, umpires and front office staff, more than 115 Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including MLB All-Stars Max Scherzer (DET), Chris Sale (CWS), Jordan Zimmermann (WAS), Curtis Granderson (NYY), Allen Craig (STL) and Ben Zobrist (TB). All league games are viewable live and free of charge via the Northwoods League YouTube channel. For more information, visit www.waterloobucks.com.