CornbeltBaseball.com is available

Bloomington High School senior Dylan Johnson has been selected as the 2010 Cornbeltbaseball.com Player of the Year.  After watching Johnson for the last three seasons, and particularly this season, I would use one word to describe his style of play — power.  Whether playing the field, pitching, or batting, there’s power in most every aspect of his game.  Bloomington coach Steve Clapp describes it a bit more technically — “He (Johnson) hits the ball with authority to all fields and really keeps his barrel in the zone.”  I can attest to that statement, having been stationed in the middle of the field (while umpiring) and quickly calculating how to avoid getting hit with a line drive off of Johnson’s bat.  The last local hitter that kept me on my toes to the same degree was current North Carolina State first baseman Harold Riggins (Normal West ’08).

Clapp describes Johnson’s career impact to the Raiders:  “Dylan has been a major cornerstone to our success the past three seasons.  He has been a three year starter that helped lead us to 72 wins and two Regional Championships.  He has been a great leader with both his production on the field and example and encouragement to his teammates.”

As far as his ability and potential go, Coach Clapp says, “He is a very gifted hitter who has worked extremely hard to get himself ready for the next level.  Two Pantagraph hitting titles (’08 & ’10) are a testament to his ability.  He has put a lot of good weight on his frame and is only going to get better.  Heartland is getting a good one.”  I would have to agree.  Heartland coach Nate Metzger has not demonstrated in the Hawks’ short history that he is about charity cases.  From what I’ve seen, he doesn’t take local kids just because they’re local.  Nearly every athlete he’s taken from a local high school has competed favorably with the players that he’s bringing in from all over the state.  Just like former teammates Bryan Huff (Bloomington ’08), expect Johnson to contribute greatly to Heartland’s run of success.

Dylan johnson, Bloomington H.S.

Although most anyone could watch Johnson play just one game and get a sense of what he can do, his stats this season are pretty amazing.  Johnson led his team in many categories including 56 hits (school record), 44 runs, 14 doubles (school record), 7 triples, 8 home runs, 49 RBI, 21 walks, and a .528 batting average (school record).  His .528 batting average led all area hitters for the second time in his career.

Congratulations to Dylan for being selected from among many very accomplished local high school players for the inaugural Cornbeltbaseball.com Player of the Year.