Shortly after Brett Bateman became the first Stinger to be selected in the 2023 MLB Draft, he was joined by catcher/infielder Ryan Johnson who was selected with pick No. 254 in the eighth round by the Houston Astros.
Johnson spent both the summer of 2019 and 2020 with the Stingers where he played a total of 32 games.
During that span, the Pepperdine product finished with 25 hits and 8 RBI as a Stinger.
Johnson just wrapped up his senior season as a Wave where he set career highs in batting average and home runs with .289 and 18 respectively.
The former Stinger now hopes to take his talents to Houston as he starts his career with the reigning World Series champion Astros organization.
For more coverage of the Stingers, visit the West Central Tribune online at www.wctrib.com.
The 2023 season is presented by J.D. Kreps Financial Group, empowering investors with powerful financial advice.
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The Willmar Stingers are a member of the finest developmental league for elite college baseball players, the Northwoods League. The Northwoods League is the proven leader in the development of elite college baseball players. Now in its 30th season, the Northwoods League is the largest organized baseball league in the world with 24 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, over 325 Northwoods League players have advanced to Major League Baseball, including three-time All-Star and 2016 Roberto Clemente Award winner Curtis Granderson, three-time Cy Young Award winner and World Series Champion Max Scherzer (NYM), two-time World Series Champions Ben Zobrist and Brandon Crawford (SFG) and World Series Champion Chris Sale (BOS). As well as 2019 Rookie of the Year and 2019/2021 Home Run Derby Champion Pete Alonso (NYM) and 2021 All-Star, MLB Gold Glove winner and 2019 Second Team All-MLB shortstop Marcus Semien (TEX). All league games are viewable live via the Northwoods League website. League games are viewable live at watchnwl.com and on ESPN+. For more information, visit www.willmarstingers.com or download the new Northwoods League Mobile App on the Apple App Store or on Google Play and set the Stingers as your favorite team.
