Player Profile of the Day:
Tyler Johnson #44
**At SBU as a freshman he was named to the All-America East second team and the America East All-Rookie team. During that year he ranked second in the America East in strikeouts per game (8.11). He allowed two runs and five hits in 8.0 innings against Creighton to earn first collegiate victory during this season.
**He was also an integral part of the 2010 championship season, being the second game starter for most of the season. Considered the co-ace of the staff along with fellow So RHP Nick Tropeano. In 14 starts last year he went 10-3 with a 3.86 ERA, the 10 wins ranked him 26th in the nation as well as a single season school wins record. None of his wins came at a bigger time than while in the Myrtle Beach Regional against NC State. During this performance he struck out 10 and allowed two runs in 8.0 innings of work to earn SBU our first ever Division I NCAA Tournament win, with a 6-2 victory. This season earned him some post season accolades including, All-America East first team, (ABCA) All-Northeast Region second team, Myrtle Beach Regional All-tournament team, and was a two-time America East Pitcher of the Week. Not only is Tyler a student of the game but in the classroom he excels as well, helping him earn the honor of America East Scholar Athlete in baseball and was selected to the America East All-Academic team.
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| Johnson(left) after winning 2010 AEC Championship |
With the 2011 season right around the corner I asked Johnson a few questions to see how he feels looking back and his views going forward:
Looking back at the 2010 season what can you say defined your year personally as well as a team?
"I think the fact that we got to a regional and had sucess in a regional really defined what our team did last year. With losing so many key offensive players from the year before, it was important that we did well offensively with so many new guys who came up clutch for us all of last year. Personally I had a better year than the my freshman year and that is really important to me to keep getting better each year i pitch for Stony Brook. "
What did you do this off season to help better yourself for the coming year?
"This offseason i really tried to get my cardio up more than normal. I Mixed in some more intense lifts along with throwing off the mound and running 2-3 miles after every throwing session or lift i had. It feels so far like its made a good difference and makes it easier to sustain my pitches on the mound as the game goes along."
Who do you try to emulate with your game?and why?
"Considering Im not a power pitch i try and emulate guys like Greg Maddux, Derek Lowe and Mike Leake. Guys that arent to big throw sinkers and two seam fastballs and have good command of 3 pitches. There competitiveness is always something to look up to going out and competing every pitch of every game.If i could pitch half as well as those guys do in the Major Leagues then I will have accomplished a great deal."
Do you have any rituals or superstitions?
"My rituals are pretty standard walking out to the mound and skiping over the line and throwing a certain number and type of pitches for warm ups. I try and keep each day the same whether im throwing a bullpen or throwing in a playoff game, that makes it easier to stay calm pressure situations arise."
If you had to advise a younger player or teammate looking to play at a higher level, what would be the most important thing you would tell them?
"I would tell those guys that its not about how hard you throw or how electric your stuff is, but it depends on how you battle on the mound. Some days your not gonna have your best stuff but if you go out and battle every pitch then you always have a chance. Also I am recently a big fan of lifting and running. Stay in good shape at all times of they year so your body can stay healthy longer"
What are your goals for this coming season?
"There are certain levels of goals for this season. Obviously as a junior Id like to be drafted and play major league baseball along with other accolades that could come with a good season, but those things are out of my control. My goals this year are to go longer into games than last year and make every start a quality to great start and not have any lapses along the way."
What did you take from 2010 do you think will help achieve these goals in 2011?
"Its all about the experience everytime i go out there and throw i learn something new about the team im playing the batters im facing and about myself as a pitcher. So 2010 was a good year for me but it could be better and learning from some of the bad things ive done will hopefully make me better this year."
What type of non physical prep do you do to get yourself prepared for playing?
"I try to visualize what i would do in a game see it before it happens. I think that type of positive enforcement is good for any pitcher. Also i used to try to get intense before i started a game but it was to up and down for a while. Now i just try and relax and enjoy my game out there have fun with it while also focusing on the task at hand. Keeping the game fun makes you more sane in a game filled with failures."
When your not playing or training what do you do to get away if you have to?
"I like to do a whole bunch of stuff. Going to the beach even though i dont tan well. Playing different sports for fun like football or shooting around a little bit is always good. Like any person i play video games so doing that kinda stuff while hanging out with my friends and talking about other stuff is always a good way to get away from the game when need be"
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