Denison University

Derek Johnson was a first-team All-American selection and a four-year letter winner for the Denison baseball team from 1998 through 2001. As a senior in 2001, he was named to the American Baseball Coaches Association’s All-American squad as a utility player in recognition of his achievements as both a pitcher and first baseman. He posted a school-record .492 batting average in 2001, while setting school records in innings pitched (88.0) and starts (13). He was the first-ever Denison baseball player to be named the North Coast Athletic Conference’s Player of the Year. A four-time All-Conference honoree, Johnson also was named to the NCAC’s 20th Year Anniversary team in 2004.

He was named the team’s most valuable player three times, and in 2001, he was a first-team All-Mideast Region choice, as well as a regional Gold Glove Award winner. In DU’s all-time career record books, Johnson ranks sixth in hits (173), third in doubles (42), fourth in batting average (.384) and eighth in RBIs (111). As a pitcher, Johnson held the school record for single-season strikeouts with 86, set in 2001. He threw 14 career complete games and ranks ninth all-time in strikeouts at Denison with 135.