Bjorn Johnson, Reeve Boyd formed friendship through baseball
SEATTLE (BVM) — Matthew Stafford and Clayton Kershaw’s friendship is one that’s been highlighted across the sports landscape. They grew up together and played the same sports, and are now thriving in their respective sports. Now two of Washington’s top prep baseball players, Bjorn Johnson and Reeve Boyd, are doing the same by continuing to rely on their friendship as they eye to further their baseball careers.
Both boys grew up together playing Queen Anne Little League, and from their first steps onto a baseball field, Johnson and Boyd’s bond formed immediately.
“It’s been a great connection from the start,” Johnson said. “We live two minutes from each other, so it’s nice.”
“I first saw him during little leauge,” Boyd said. “Then we started playing City Baseball in Seattle when we were 7, and we’ve been doing that for the last 11 years.”
Along with growing up and teaming up with each other, both players grew up playing the same positions: shortstop and pitcher. It provided the necessary bonding experiences for them, and it’s something that remains special to both. However, Johnson has since moved to the mound, where he’s become an exceptional talent.
‘23 Bjorn Johnson (WA) slinging 90-91 early this morning & killing spin on 81-82 CH (1775). Wrinkle slider.
Wiry-athletic frame. Slight open stride down the mound. Frame projects. @AuburnBaseball recruit #MLBDraft || @PBR_Washington @PBR_DanJurik pic.twitter.com/vWYeq9XRtI
— Shooter Hunt (@ShooterHunt) August 11, 2022
“We would alternate at shortstop during the little league days,” Johnson said. “I used to play some short too, but I just got into pitching because I have a knack for finding the strike zone and just throw it where I want to. I loved being able to command the game, take control and as I’ve gotten stronger, the velocity has come with it, and I love pitching.”
Johnson is the best pitcher in the Evergreen State and has a fastball that reaches 91 mph. He also has a slider and a changeup that hammer the strike zone. Johnson helped the Lincoln Lynx finish with 18 wins.
Boyd was an all-metro selection as a junior, and he batted .357 with an OPS of 1.010. Boyd also played quarterback for the Seattle Prep Panthers; however, it was his performances on the diamond that garnered attention from D-I programs.
2022 @NWScoutGames MVP Award presented by @DeVo_Bats_Inc, Reeve Boyd (@ReeveBoyd3) of Seattle Prep HS @SeaPrepBaseball. pic.twitter.com/qQH2i7nGgT
— NWScoutGames (@NWScoutGames) August 18, 2022
Johnson is now committed to Auburn and Boyd is committed to Oregon State, although Johnson was initially committed to Washington. When Johnson opened up his commitment again both talked about teaming up, but he decided to head south.
“We’ve always talked about teaming up,” Johnson said. “Oregon State was a top choice, but I went down to Auburn, and the atmosphere was different from anything I’ve seen. And the level of play in the SEC just blew me away.”
With a place to play in college and an athletic future on the horizon, the players still find ways to stay motivated too.
“I love to win, and I’ve always loved the game,” Johnson said. “Those came together for me and meshed. It shaped me into the pitcher I am. I want to play this game as long as I can, and I hope to win a World Series someday or be an All-Star.”
Now, both players will be gearing up for the final season and will continue to have high expectations of themselves to stay motivated to play the sport they love so much.
“Baseball is everything to me,” Johnson said. “I know you don’t want to base your personality on one thing, but it’s what I look forward to every day, and I want to play for a long time.”
“It would mean a lot to me, and my day-to-day life is around baseball,” Boyd said. “It means everything to me that I get to play at the next level and can compete for a national championship and hopefully someday get drafted. The sport is also the biggest thing is the relationships I’ve been able to build with people, and my best friends are baseball players. So it’s given me a path in life.”
