In righthander Lebarron Johnson Jr., the Rockies drafted a big arm at a premium value.

Selected in the fifth round last year out of Texas, Johnson’s draft stock fell after he recorded a 5.60 ERA and 1.70 WHIP with 79 hits allowed in 72.1 innings.

After a lengthy pitching hiatus before the draft, Johnson developed shoulder soreness when the Rockies put him in a throwing program, delaying his pro debut until this year. Through five starts for Low-A Fresno, Johnson had a 2.19 ERA. He had allowed 12 hits in 24.2 innings.

“He’s lived more in the strike zone than I think what we saw on the amateur side,” Rockies assistant farm director Jesse Stender said. “He’s trusting his delivery. It’s big stuff. He’ll never be an above-average command guy, but he’s going after hitters and trusting his stuff in the zone.”

Listed at 6-foot-4, 210 pounds, Johnson creates a downward angle with his four-seam fastball that has touched 98 mph and was averaging 94 mph.

The 22-year-old Johnson’s 82-89 mph slider has averaged 85 mph. It has been more sweepy with less depth than when Johnson was in college. But Stender said: “ By all accounts, it’s a pitch that could be a plus offering in time.”

Johnson also throws an 85-89 mph split-changeup that has averaged 87 mph with late, downward action and Stender said “has gotten really good reviews so far.” 

His two secondary offerings “should be pretty solid for him moving forward,” Stender said. “Both profile as at least average, and you’re hoping one if not both obviously play up to plus pitches.”

The Rockies envision Johnson moving up to High-A Spokane this season and continuing to rise. 

“We fully anticipate that he’ll be climbing the ladder and will be in the big leagues at some point,” Stender said. “We have a lot of high hopes for this kid.”

ROCKY ROADS

— The Rockies had five players make their major league debut in April: pitchers Chase Dollander, Zach Agnos and Juan Mejia, outfielder Zac Veen and catcher Braxton Fulford. By the end of the month, Veen and Fulford were back at Triple-A Albuquerque.

— Outfielder Charlie Condon, who suffered a non-displaced fracture of his left wrist March 11 when he dove for a fly ball in his first minor league backfield game, was cleared to face live pitching. He will get 40–50 at-bats in with the Rockies’ Arizona Complex League affiliate before moving to High-A Spokane.