Woodland's Johnson earns shot at 18-U national baseball team

Woodland High School senior Neil Johnson doesn't lack confidence.

But Johnson admitted he was surprised by how well he performed during last month's USA Baseball Midwest National Team Identification Series in St. Louis.

Johnson was impressive enough during sub-regional and regional tryouts to earn one of 18 spots on the USA Midwest National Team.

"Yes, I was very surprised," Johnson said. "I didn't expect to make it past the second round [of tryouts]."

Next up for Johnson is a trip to the USA Baseball Training Complex in Cary, N.C., where the roster for the 2011 18-and-under USA National Team will be selected.

Johnson and the rest of the Midwest squad will compete against the nation's other regions Thursday through Sunday. The top 18 players will be chosen to represent the United States for international competition.

"I'm really excited about going," Johnson said. "There's going to be a lot of great players there."

Johnson proved his worth during the USA Baseball Midwest National Team Identification Series against 260 players from Missouri, Arkansas, Kansas, Nebraska and Oklahoma.

Johnson, who has played several positions at Woodland, made the Midwest squad as a pitcher.

According to Charleston native and former major league pitcher Matt Whiteside, who directs the Midwest Region for the USA Baseball program, Johnson was clocked at 86 to 88 mph.

While being selected as a candidate for the 18-under USA National Team is an honor, Johnson realizes how difficult taking the next step will be as he competes against elite talent from across the country.

Regardless of what happens, Johnson said his summer exploits -- he also pitched for the Missouri Bulls prospect team -- will give him a shot of confidence entering his senior season of high school as he chases a college scholarship.

"It's a big confidence boost, just playing with the best in the nation," Johnson said. "It makes you feel good."

Another Southeast Missouri product will join Johnson in North Carolina as Charleston High School senior James Naile also made the Midwest squad as a pitcher/infielder.

Whiteside said Naile also was clocked at 86 to 88 mph.

"I think it's a big accomplishment for both of them, when you're talking about Missouri, Arkansas, Kansas, Nebraska and Oklahoma, the players in those states," Whiteside said. "I'm sure not every good ballplayer was a part of it [the tryouts], but there was a good representation.

"It says a lot about their ability."