Starkville High graduate and Dispatch Baseball Large Schools Player of the year R.J. Johnson confirmed he is now a professional player.
The 6-foot-4 pitcher said he signed a contract with the Milwaukee Brewers on Sunday, and SHS head coach Danny Carlisle said Johnson will head to a Brewers minor league affiliate Wednesday in Arizona.
Johnson, who on Monday said he didn”t have time to speak and wasn”t sure when he would, was taken in the 36th round of this year”s MLB Draft.
Johnson is the fifth Starkville player to sign a pro contract during Danny Carlisle”s tenure and the first to sign straight from high school.
Carlisle said Johnson”s contract has a college option, which allows Johnson to later go to college and receive financial assistance from the team.
A message left with the Brewers” media relations department was not returned Monday.
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