Brodie Johnston: Vanderbilt’s in-state commit is ahead of the curve

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — Most kids don’t get the chance to play at the college they grew up watching. Brodie Johnston will get to do just that.

Growing up in Tennessee, Johnston has watched Vanderbilt become a juggernaut in college baseball. On Nov. 22, he became a Commodore commit.

I have decided to continue my baseball and academic career at Vanderbilt University. I give all glory to God and want to thank my Family and Coaches. @eXposureBB @XBoysscouting ⁦@VandyBoys⁩ @liljohn2909 @smpryor19 pic.twitter.com/6FkDq5qSKN

— Brodie Johnston (@BrodieJohnsto6) November 22, 2021

“They’ve been my dream school since I was little,” Johnston said. “I just love the school and it’s pretty close to home.”

Home for the 6-foot-2, 180-pound sophomore is Chattanooga, where he attends Boyd Buchanan School. He was introduced to their baseball program early on, as he was included on the high school roster as an eighth grader.

Unfortunately, their 2020 season got cut short after a couple of games due to COVID-19, but Johnston still enjoyed the experience.

“That was pretty cool,” Johnston said. “I had to carry around some stuff here and there, but I was good with that.”

The following season, Johnston was given the task of catching in order to get him in the lineup. As just a freshman, he earned the complete trust of his coaches, calling his own games behind the plate.

Johnston has always been ahead of the curve, even dating back to his little league days. When he was in coach pitch, he was focused not only on making contact, but making hard contact. This was something that came natural to him.

“I would always just make contact with the barrel,” Johnston said. “I had really good power back then too, which helped out a lot. That motivated me to work harder.”

His power is one of the things that stands out most in his game now and is projected to become even more of a strength if he continues to fill out his frame.

https://twitter.com/XBoysscouting/status/1414994610166943746

Some scouts see him moving over to the hot corner depending on his growth. Johnston would be fine with a transition if asked by coach Tim Corbin.

“At Vanderbilt, they move people around to wherever the best fit is for them,” Johnston said. “I’m 100% okay with that.”

His versatility will also help him achieve one of his biggest goals: playing early at West End.

“I want to play as a freshman,” Johnston said. “I feel like that would be a big step in getting to the next level too. That would be an awesome feeling of getting to go to Vanderbilt as a freshman and getting to play.”

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