—Submitted Photo Evan Johnson with his parents, Kurt and Jacy (Ollinger) Johnson, and brother, Easton, at a St. Louis Cardinals game. Evan Johnson was recently hired as a pitching coach in the Cardinals’ minor league system.

Former Iowa Central baseball standout Evan Johnson will continue his path to the majors in a different role.

Johnson, who played in the minor leagues for three seasons, has been named the new pitching coach for the St. Louis Cardinals’ minor league affiliate in Palm Beach at the Class A level. He is one of three new coaches on the staff for manager Rich Benjamin.

“It’s great knowing that I get to be a part of an organization investing heavily in its player development process and its people,” Johnson said. “It is a blessing to be a part of a group with good values as a young coach. I couldn’t be more grateful. It has always been a dream to be a part of this organization, as a player or coach. My family being fans and the Cardinals’ history are how I built an early love for baseball.

“I spent the majority of my playing career investing in a future in coaching. I always knew I wanted to stay with my passion for baseball. I spent a lot of time learning from my coaches and gathering as much information as I could to give back to the players I coach.”

Following a two-year stint with the Tritons, Johnson pitched his final two collegiate seasons at Creighton University. He was 7-4 with Iowa Central, striking out 61 batters in just over 60 innings pitched.

At Creighton, he made 14 starts over 30 appearances, recording a 10-3 record with a 3.67 earned run average. As a senior in 2019, Johnson went 8-2 and was named second team all-Big East, helping the Bluejays to the Big East Conference regular season and tournament titles.

He would play four seasons of professional baseball, three of which came in the minor leagues after signing a free agent contract with the Mariners. Johnson played for the Tacoma Rainiers, the AAA affiliate of Seattle, during the 2021 season.

For his pro career, Johnson went 7-5 with four saves and 150 strikeouts in 122 innings pitched over 61 appearances.

Johnson, a native of Gilbert, was a four-year letterwinner for the Tigers and earned all-state honors as a senior on the baseball diamond.

As for his coaching career, Johnson started out as the pitching coach for the St. Cloud Rox of the Northwoods League from 2023-24 before landing with Youngstown State University in 2024 to be head of player development.

Johnson’s father, Kurt Johnson, is a 1990 graduate of Fort Dodge Senior High, and his mother, Jacy (Ollinger), is a 1990 St. Edmond grad. His grandfathers, Art Johnson and Keith Ollinger, along with an uncle, Kyle Johnson, a cousin, Nolan Johnson, a brother, Easton Johnson, and a grandmother, Rose Johnson, all attended Iowa Central.

“I’ve been fortunate to have a lot of good influences on my baseball career, beginning with my family,” Johnson said. “In particular, my dad, Kurt, and his father, Art, and my brother, Easton Johnson. I remember days out at Patterson while Grandpa Art was working on the field. I was running around with my brother and my cousins, learning and playing the game with each other. Patterson left a special impression on my upbringing as a baseball player.

“My grandpa Art passed down his love of the Cardinals to my dad, and then my dad to me; it has always been a family thing.

“As far as coaches go, I was very blessed as a player to have great coaches. I was fortunate enough at Iowa Central to have Rick Peterson and Justin Meyer, as well as Eric Stein, guide me in how to play the game the right way and what quality coaching looks like. I couldn’t be more grateful for what those people and that program did for me.

“At Creighton, I was also fortunate in having great coaches in Eric Wordekemper and Ed Servais. Two great mentors who pushed me to mature as a player. And with the Mariners, I found myself surrounded by some of the best coaches. I understand that I was lucky to have quality coaches and mentors, and unfortunately, not every player is that lucky. I really find joy in giving back to the game and working to become a quality mentor like those in my playing career.”