Ball State University Athletics
Photo by: Caden Vincent
Johnson Named MAC Preseason Pitcher of the Year and Top MAC Draft Prospect by D1Baseball
February 13, 2026 | Baseball
The D1Baseball online publication has selected Keegan Johnson as its Mid-American Conference Preseason Pitcher of the Year and top draft prospect for 2026.
The two-time First Team All-MAC selection enters his junior campaign as a Top-200 starting pitcher nationally as well according to D1Baseball, landing at No. 167 on its list.
Johnson struck out a team-best 75 in 70.2 innings of work last season and tallied a 7-3 record, 4.46 ERA and 1.39 WHIP across 14 starts. The left-handed pitcher posted an 8-3 record and 83 punchouts in 16 games (15 starts) in 2024 to be named the MAC Freshman Pitcher of the Year.
Also included on the list for top 2027 draft prospects is sophomore right-handed pitcher Brendan Garza, who tallied 39 strikeouts and a 3-1 record in 35.0 innings of work as a true freshman in 2025.
Ball State begins its season Friday with a game against St. John's at Noon in DeLand, Fla.
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The two-time First Team All-MAC selection enters his junior campaign as a Top-200 starting pitcher nationally as well according to D1Baseball, landing at No. 167 on its list.
Johnson struck out a team-best 75 in 70.2 innings of work last season and tallied a 7-3 record, 4.46 ERA and 1.39 WHIP across 14 starts. The left-handed pitcher posted an 8-3 record and 83 punchouts in 16 games (15 starts) in 2024 to be named the MAC Freshman Pitcher of the Year.
Also included on the list for top 2027 draft prospects is sophomore right-handed pitcher Brendan Garza, who tallied 39 strikeouts and a 3-1 record in 35.0 innings of work as a true freshman in 2025.
Ball State begins its season Friday with a game against St. John's at Noon in DeLand, Fla.
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