Bjorn Johnson, top in-state MLB Draft high school pitching prospect, has always had knack for throwing a baseball

For a school that reopened in 2019 after being closed for 38 years, the baseball program at Lincoln High School of Seattle was going to need a big boost to return to prominence.

Enter left-hander Bjorn Johnson, just a ninth grader at the time.

Now a senior, Johnson is the ace of Lincoln's pitching staff - and the top 2023 Washington high school pitching prospect. He is also signed to play for Auburn University next year.

Lincoln coach Ray Atkinson – a three-sport athlete at the school from 1979-81 – calls Johnson the heart and soul of the program.

"We opened the school four years ago and have just followed his coattails," Atkinson said. "He's taken us to heights I don't think we would have been able to go to. He's put our culture together - and watching him day in and day out is just phenomenal."

With a fastball that touches the low-90s, and a changeup in the 80s with big movement, Johnson could also hear his name called during the 2023 MLB Draft this summer, set to take place in his hometown.

That has been on his mind only a little bit this spring.

"I'm kind of just focusing on finishing out my senior year with my friends and having a good time before I have to start thinking a lot about that," he said.

Johnson first started thinking baseball could take him places while he was still in elementary school.

"(Baseball has) always been super fun for me and something I've always wanted to do," Johnson said. "I was probably around 10 when I realized I wanted to do this for as long as I could."

Fueled by a desire to win, Johnson steps onto the mound knowing he can locate any pitch he wants for strikes.

"Every time I step on the mound, I want to act like I'm better than the other team," Johnson said. "It doesn't matter skill-wise, I just want to have that bulldog mentality, attack the zone and throw strikes early."

He's hoping that approach on the mound can help Lincoln to a deep Class 3A playoff run.

If Johnson's pitching numbers through nine starts are any sign, the Lynx are in good shape. Johnson boasts a 1.17 earned-run average (ERA) to pair with 88 strikeouts in those nine starts.

He owns a walks-hits-per-inning ratio (WHIP) of 0.839. Hitters have a batting average of just .171 against him. 

Lincoln took down top-ranked West Seattle, 5-2, in the Metro League championship and clinched the No. 2 seed in the WIAA tournament. The Lynx will be the top-ranked team in the 3A regional Saturday at Bellevue College.

"We all want to win a state championship here and I think if we can keep our pitching the way it's been going and step up the bats a little bit we have a good chance at that," Johnson said.