Texas Longhorns P Lebarron Johnson Jr. Selected No. 139 overall by Colorado Rockies

Entering the 2024 season, right-handed pitcher Lebarron Johnson Jr. was named the staff ace and subsequently the Friday night starter for the Texas Longhorns. It wasn’t hard to see why, considering the fireballer had delivered a strong performance in the previous postseason.

Most notably, he put on an absolute show in the Coral Gables Regional against the host Miami Hurricanes. Johnson went the distance against a talented lineup, allowing just one run and retiring eight Miami batters.

Hoping to carry that momentum into 2024, he also came out strong in the season opener against the San Diego Toreros. His first start saw him give the Longhorns six innings of two-run baseball, striking out four batters and holding San Diego in check.

The rest of his season, however, would not be as consistent. The right-handed pitcher struggled mightily with his control at times and was eventually pushed back in the order of the weekend rotation, and eventually the entire weekend.

Fortunately for Texas, he regained his postseason form in the College Station Regional against the Texas A&M Aggies. Facing one of the strongest lineups in the country, he gave the Longhorns a solid five innings of one-run baseball, allowing just two hits and striking out eight.

After finishing his college career in dominant fashion, he turned his attention to the MLB Draft. His name was called Monday afternoon when the Colorado Rockies drafted him in the fifth round with the 139th overall pick — along with fellow Longhorn Jared Thomas.

Johnson’s final stats from his final season with the Longhorns were a 3-4 record with a 5.60 ERA in 72.1 innings of work, striking out 84 and walking 44. If he can establish his command, the Rockies will have acquired a pitcher with the potential to be a contributing arm in the future.