Gator Country

Florida left-hander Brian Johnson delivers a pitch during the Gators' 15-3 win against Georgia Tech on Sunday. He allowed one run in five innings of the Gainesville Regional final. / Gator Country photo by Saj Guevara

The excitement in the Florida Gators clubhouse continued late Monday evening when junior left-handed pitcher Brian Johnson was drafted by the Boston Red Sox with the 31st overall pick in the first round of the 2012 Major League Baseball Draft.

The junior pitcher became the second Florida player taken in the draft after the Seattle Mariners drafted Mike Zunino with the third overall pick. It was the first time in school history two Florida players were drafted in the first round (non-secondary draft).

As a two-way player, Johnson’s future in the big leagues isn’t quite certain yet, but most scouts like him more as a pitcher than a field player. The 6-foot-3, 235-pound Cocoa Beach native can also play first base and hit well, but the prevailing thought right now is that he’ll attempt to carve out a career as a pitcher.

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