Page 46 - DBU Baseball 25 Media Guide

CALE JOHNSON–PITCHING COACH
Cale Johnson is in his second season as the Pitching Coach for the DBU Baseball program. In his first year with the Patriots, Johnson led a pitching staff that ranked seventh in the nation in ERA (4.01). His leadership was pivotal in the development of several standout pitchers, including Ryan Johnson, who was named a First Team All-American by four major publications after setting both DBU’s all-time strikeout record and a new single-season record with 151 strikeouts in 2024. Johnson also played a key role in the success of Luke Pettitte, who earned
Freshman All-American honors and was named Conference USA Freshman of the Year. Additionally, three of Johnson’s pitchers—Jaron DeBerry, Ryan Johnson, and Conner Mackay—were named First Team All-Conference USA selections.
Following the 2024 season, Johnson and DeBerry were selected in the Major League Baseball Draft. Johnson was chosen in the second round (74th overall) by the Los Angeles Angels, making him the sixth-highest draft pick in DBU history, while DeBerry was selected just 19 picks later by the Milwaukee Brewers in the third round (93rd overall).
Johnson came to DBU from the Pittsburgh Pirates organization, where he served as the Double-A Pitching Coach for the Altoona Curve.
Over his nine-year professional baseball career, Johnson has
mentored 31 pitchers who have reached the Major Leagues. His
coaching journey also includes roles with the Atlanta Braves, where he served as the Minor League Assistant Pitching Coordinator in 2021, for a Braves organization that won a World Series title. The following year, Johnson was named the Braves’ Pitching Strategist, playing a critical role in developing pitching strategies and goals for the organization’s minor league system.
A native of Greenville, Illinois, Johnson began his coaching career in professional baseball with the St. Louis Cardinals, where he served as a Minor League Pitching Coach for five seasons (2015-2019). In 2015, Johnson was on the staff for the Cardinals’ Rookie League team that won the Gulf Coach League’s Eastern Division. Four pitchers on Johnson’s staff would eventually reach the Major Leagues, including future All- Star Sandy Alcantara.
The following two years he spent with the organization’s Rookie Advanced league team, the Johnson City Cardinals, in the Appalachian League. During his two seasons in Johnson City, the Cardinals won an Appalachian League title in 2016, and five pitchers on Johnson’s staff advanced their careers to the Big Leagues.
In his two seasons with the Peoria Chiefs, Johnson helped guide the Chiefs to the Midwest League Championship Series in 2018. He also helped to develop five hurlers that would go on to pitch in the Majors.
Johnson played collegiate baseball at McKendree University from 2006 to 2009, earning two-time American Midwest Conference Pitcher of the Year honors and was an All-Region selection as a junior. He was selected by
the St. Louis Cardinals in the 41st round of the 2009 MLB Draft and went on to pitch in the Cardinals’ Rookie League and Single-A teams, where he transitioned to the bullpen and posted a career-high 30 appearances in 2011. After three seasons in the Cardinals’ organization, Johnson finished his playing career with the Gateway Grizzlies of the Independent Frontier League.
Johnson earned two degrees from McKendree University, including a Bachelor of Business Administration in Economics/Finance and a Bachelor of Administration in Management. He is married to Jess Johnson and has three children: Maclin (10), Sadie (8), and Rhett (5).
WHAT THEY ARE SAYING ABOUT CALE JOHNSON
“I’ve had the pleasure of knowing and working closely with Cale since 2015, and he is the most talented pitching coach I’ve met in that time. He has a unique ability to inform, instruct, and inspire pitchers so that they can maximize their performance potential. No matter what level he is coaching at, his combination of character, intellect, and authenticity will create a positive environment in which the pitchers under his tutelage will thrive.” - Paul Davis, Atlanta Braves Director of Pitching Development
“Cale Johnson has worked to become a pitching coach who blends analytics, movement, and strategy gleaned from progressive organizations like the Cardinals and Braves. He will be a solid guiding force for DBU pitchers.” - Brent Strom, Arizona Diamondbacks Pitching Coach
“Cale Johnson has been an integral part of my professional baseball career. Cale has helped with mechanical adjustments, analytical changes, and the mindset behind pitching. He is a strong leader of the pitching staff and a fantastic communicator. Cale is a perfect fit for DBU Baseball.” - Seth Elledge, DBU Baseball Alum and MLB Pitcher
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