Carter Johnson is Alabama’s next big MLB draft prospect
OXFORD, Ala. (BVM) – Gunnar Henderson was a premier shortstop coming out of the Alabama high school ranks and he was taken No. 42 overall by the Baltimore Orioles in the 2019 MLB Draft. The young talent broke out in 2023 winning AL Rookie of the Year and a Silver Slugger award.
There is another elite Alabama shortstop prospect in this year’s draft class who has drawn comparisons to the Baltimore middle infielder.
Carter Johnson is a five-tool type of player out of Oxford High School with a chance of being an early pick this summer. His left-handed bat can drive the ball all over the field and he pairs that with good defense at the shortstop position.
Another smooth swinging lefty for the Mariners, SS Carter Johnson (Oxford HS, AL) strokes an 88 EV RBI double to RF.
.@AlabamaBSB recruit also made a nifty backhand stab of a hot one-hopper earlier at SS.
@PBR_Alabama // @ShooterHunt pic.twitter.com/71xK3I4Uoz
— David Seifert (@DSeifertD1PBR) August 4, 2023
Johnson had received some collegiate offers following his freshman year, but he blew up on the national scene after his junior year. It was a hectic time for the high schooler after a big summer, but he was just grateful to receive the interest.
“I tried not to view it in a stressful way, I tried to view it in a blessed way that I was in that spot,” Johnson said. “I was just trying to have fun with it.”
He ultimately decided to stay in-state by committing to the University of Alabama. For a Crimson Tide fan growing up, it was a dream come true.
“I love the program and the way they play the game,” Johnson said. “They’re super gritty. They’re only two hours away and they are in the SEC. It doesn’t get much better than that.”
.@AlabamaBSB recruit & ‘24 SS Carter Johnson (@CarterReed24; @OldGoldBB) gets a hold of another one in his next at-bat & lines it over the RF’er for a two-RBI double in the 2nd.
Oxford takes a 7-2 lead & still threatening in the top of the 2nd in Game 2. https://t.co/5AQ7oO5rve pic.twitter.com/Eg9NVMykOB
— Prep Baseball Alabama (@PrepBaseballAL) April 29, 2023
With Johnson’s status as a draft prospect and an SEC commit, he has much more attention on him than the typical high school ballplayer. He has learned to deal with the expectations by realizing the reality of his situation.
“It’s been a big learning moment for me going through this to know that you can’t be perfect all the time,” Johnson said. “You have to do what you can to help your team win and be the best you can be in that moment. Whatever happens will happen.”
This mindset allowed him to be a catalyst for the Yellow Jackets in their state championship run as a junior. Johnson has a treasure trove of individual accomplishments, but what his team was able to do last season stands out above everything else.
“There was nothing better than that,” Johnson said. “Just going out and competing with the guys you’ve grown up with your whole life and going and winning a state title like we did. I get chills just thinking about it.”
📊 𝑫𝙧𝒂𝙛𝒕 𝑩𝙤𝒂𝙧𝒅 𝑺𝙥𝒐𝙩𝒍𝙞𝒈𝙝𝒕 📊
Carter Johnson, SS, Oxford HS (AL)
Rank: 33Johnson’s got a ton of athleticism in the frame with a polished LH stroke. Slashed .397/.493/.707 on the circuit in ‘23. Could be a big riser this spring. #RollTide commit. pic.twitter.com/jpx0ucgK9B
— Perfect Game Draft (@PG_Draft) February 23, 2024
Johnson has big aspirations for himself in his baseball career, but he is not letting that get in the way of what he wants to accomplish in the present: winning another state title.
“I’m just doing what I can to help the team and get better every day,” Johnson said. “I’m just focused on helping the team I’m on now.”
Whether Johnson winds up in Tuscaloosa or the minor leagues, he should be helping out an MLB team in the near future.
