Majors the next new experience for Johnson
Julian Johnson, one of the London Majors’ new players in 2021, is looking to be a potent middle-of-the-order bat in his return to Intercounty baseball.
Johnson’s baseball journey has taken him to the U.S. for collegiate ball and overseas for baseball in Europe (Czech Republic) and Asia (Japan). (Photo: Matt Hiscox Photography).
Every step of Julian Johnson’s baseball career has been about new experiences.
As a teen, a decade ago, the Mississauga, ON native traveled to Florida to compete in an elite program. After high school, Johnson went off to Tennessee to play on scholarship at the collegiate level – first at Columbia State Community College and then at Milligan College, an NAIA school.
During the summers, the first baseman played back home in the Intercounty Baseball League (IBL). In 2016, that was with the Burlington Bandits. In 2017 and 2018, he switched things up and played for the Toronto Maple Leafs. And then he tried his hand at pro ball overseas, another new experience – first in the Czech Republic (2018) and then in Japan (2019).
The pandemic put that on hold, and Johnson put his focus back on playing locally. Now, he’s one of the new faces on the London Majors for the 2021 season, which is set to kick off July 9 at Labatt Park. Why did he choose London?
“I just kind of wanted a new experience …”
Of course.
Johnson’s newest venture will see him handling first base duties for the Majors this summer, along with friend and fellow GTA native, Josh Williams. Both players will also see time at designated hitter – and even some in the outfield.
“London is a great fit for me. They’re always known to have competitive teams, and if you ever play against London, you know they got the stadium, they got the fans … it’s like a real minor league experience,” said Johnson. “Roop [Chanderdat, the Majors’ GM and field manager] has been recruiting me for awhile, and I finally decided to make the move.”
It’s true, Chanderdat watched Johnson from the opposing dugout for a few years before the now 27-year-old headed off to Europe. The Majors manager liked the way Johnson competed, and when he began the process of recruiting for a new season, the Mississauga native was a player he targeted.
“I’m excited to see him play a full (Intercounty) season. He’s a big bat,” said Chanderdat, who originally recruited Johnson for the 2020 season, one that was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. “He’s always been a respectful guy, and I really like his dedication.”
That dedication was on display last year when Johnson first put on a Majors uniform. That’s right, when the slugging first baseman wears the London pinstripes on Opening Night (July 9 against the Maple Leafs), it actually won’t be his first time.
Johnson joined the Majors last summer for the Legacy Classic in late August, an exhibition game against the Guelph Royals that kept alive Labatt Memorial Park’s streak as the longest continuously active ballpark in the world (at 144 years).
Johnson is expected to spend time at first base and designated hitter this summer while batting in the middle of the lineup. (Photo: Matt Hiscox Photography).
“That was a crazy experience, just seeing how we were actually able to manage the game during something like (COVID),” said Johnson, who drove in a run with a double during London’s 3-0 win. “It was exciting. Playing with no fans kind of sucked, but it was fun. To be a part of history was probably the best part about it.”
The Majors’ local players got together for a handful of practices leading up to the exhibition contest. And Johnson joined them, driving down from Toronto.
“He could have just hit in Toronto [to prepare], but he said no, I want to come and be with the boys,” Chanderdat said.
“I made it a mission,” said Johnson. “I was like, if I want to play in this game, my only chance to really get ready for the game is to make that two-hour drive. And I became close with all the guys.”
Johnson’s first taste of IBL ball came back in 2016 when he drove in 23 runs (and swatted five home runs) in 30 games with Burlington. In 2017, with the Maple Leafs, the Mississauga native hit .327 in 16 games with nearly as many walks (12) as strikeouts (16).
Overseas, Johnson played first in the Czech Baseball League, landing a contract after he’d signed with a pro agency.
“That was a very different experience, as you can imagine,” Johnson said. “The Czech Republic … you’re not really expecting baseball, right? The atmosphere was very different over there. They play the game differently … Just a different culture. But the talent was good. It was fun. I had a blast, and I got treated very well.”
And baseball in Japan?
“That was probably the best experience I’ve had in my life,” Johnson said. “I loved it there. They definitely take care of you. The culture is really respectful, and the talent out there is amazing.”
The slugger was hoping to return to Japan, but COVID restrictions meant that foreign players were left out of the league for the 2020 season. Johnson still has ambitions of catching on with a pro club again in the future (overseas or elsewhere). That means playing well this summer in the IBL.
“My goal for this season is to show scouts and other teams all over that I can still put up numbers, regardless of where I am, country-wise, league-wise, anything,” said Johnson.
And, of course, to help the Majors win games and go after that elusive first league title since 1975. He thinks he can be a difference maker.
“Everyone enjoys hitting for average, which obviously I take pride in as well, but I also bring a power bat to the lineup,” Johnson said. “I feel like I’m a guy who gets on base and also has the ability to hit the ball over the fence. And I take pride in being a good defensive first baseman.”
Johnson will commute to games this summer, likely with his friend Williams. Post-pandemic baseball. What will it look like? Johnson will find out. And it’ll be yet another new experience along the way.
AROUND THE HORN
The Majors’ offseason workouts, which actually began in December, were started and stopped around COVID-19 restrictions throughout the months … London has 19 players on its official roster (as of July 1), including seven pitchers … Key returnees to the team include Williams, outfielder Byron Reichstein, pitcher Owen Boon, infielder Carlos Arteaga, outfielder/pitcher Robert Doyle, pitcher Braeden Ferrington and utilityman Evan Britt … Cleveland Brownlee, the franchise’s home run leader will also be back in pinstripes for another year, looking to improve upon his career numbers … Familiar faces (former players) Humberto Ruiz, Keith Kandel and Chris McQueen, a trio of infielders, and pitchers Dylan Brooks and Mike DeLong, will rejoin the Majors this season … Newcomers include Johnson, outfielder Adam Filmon, catcher Hayden Jaco, infielder Tyler Wood, and pitchers Pedro De Los Santos and Jose Vasquez … For the up-to-date Majors roster, click here … Chanderdat, the Majors’ all-time winningest manager, is now in his 15th season at the helm … The Majors’ season, which kicks off at Labatt Park July 9, will feature a shortened (and compressed) 30-game regular season, including 12 games in July, 15 in August and three in September before playoffs begin the second week of September … the Guelph Royals will not field a team this season, making the IBL a seven-team league in 2021 … the Barrie Baycats enter the season having been crowned IBL champions each of the last six seasons.
The London Majors are looking to bounce back — in a big way — from a disappointing 2023 campaign following back-to-back championships. Do they have what it takes to contend again in 2024? …