2021 O’Fallon Hoot and 2022 CarShield Collegiate League (CCL) member Brett Johnson (Joliet, IL) was been selected in the 10th round of the 2022 MLB Draft, 288th overall by the Arizona Diamondbacks.
The SIUE senior outfielder hit .350 this past season for the Cougars, clubbing 23 home runs and driving in 63.
Johnson has also spent time in O’Fallon, playing for the Hoots in 2021, and the St. Louis Prospects of the CCL this summer. As a member of the Hoots last season, Johnson hit .315 across 38 games. He hit four home runs in the regular season, and hit a two-run home run in the Hoots’ lone playoff game. Johnson also swiped 14 bags last season.
This year for the Prospects, Johnson continues his strong play with a .393 average in nine games. He’s hit five home runs, has 13 RBI’s, and is 3-3 in the stolen base category.
Johnson is the first SIUE player to be drafted since pitcher Spencer Patton was taken in the 24th round by the Kansas City Royals in 2011. Patton has made 101 career Major League appearances for the Texas Rangers and the Chicago Cubs.
A second team All-Midwest Region selection, Johnson also was first team All-Ohio Valley Conference selection following one of the most successful offensive seasons in SIUE history. He started all 55 games in center field and was second on the team with a .350 batting average. He set the single-season school record for home runs in a season with 23 and drove in 63 runs, establishing a new single-season benchmark at the Division I level.
Johnson finished second in the league and 16th in the NCAA in total home runs. He was ninth in the nation in home runs per game (0.42/game). He led the league in slugging percentage at .765 which also ranked ninth in the NCAA and is the best in a Division I season at SIUE.
In just two years at SIUE, Johnson hit 33 home runs, tying for the second most in school history and drove in 96 runs while hitting .329 and amassing an OPS of 1.116 in 105 games.
Johnson also becomes the second Cougar drafted by the Diamondbacks. Former SIUE pitcher Clay Zavada was taken by Arizona in 2006 and made 49 Major League appearances.
Mick Lite served for 12 years in the military and is now an entrepreneur and photographer. Has worked as the official scorer and social media manager for the River City Rascals, Statistician for the Missouri Monsters and St. Louis Attack arena football teams, and as the Team Photographer and social media consultant for the St. Charles Chill, SLU Hockey, St. Louis Slam, and Gateway Grizzlies.
