Elliot Johnstone

Elliot Johnstone

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 6' 2", Weight 201 lb.

• Born September 24, 1998 in Howick (per BR Register and MILB.com) or Auckland (per 2022 Mets Media Guide) New Zealand

BR Register page

Biographical Information

Elliot Johnstone followed his brother Blair Johnstone onto the New Zealand national team.

Johnstone was 0-3 with a 14.06 ERA for the Auckland Tuatara in the 2018-2019 Australian Baseball League. In 2019-2020, though, he improved to 4-1 with a save, .97 WHIP and 1.09 ERA in 12 games, fanning 28 in 24 2/3 IP. He had the best ERA on the team, ahead of former major leaguers Jared Koenig, Josh Collmenter and Jen-Ho Tseng. He tied for 4th in the league in wins.

The New York Mets signed him in June 2021; the scout was Conor Brooks. He did not appear in the minors in either 2021 or 2022, though. He was with New Zealand for the 2022 World Baseball Classic Qualifiers. His one appearance did not go well. He relieved Ryan Sanders in the 5th with two outs, one on and a scoreless game against Argentina. He retired Sebastián García on a grounder to end the inning. In the 6th, he hit Agustín Tissera, who was then caught stealing. He walked Exequiel Talevi but retired Jacinto Cipriota and Eduardo Zurbriggen. He carried a 1-0 lead into the 7th but then walked Lucas Nakandakare and José Gerez and hit Andrés Kim. Ryota Okumoto took over and allowed all three runners to score, handing Johnstone the loss. His 20.25 ERA was not New Zealand's worst in the event - Eugene Gay and Okumoto were higher.

He played his first minor league season in 2023 with the St. Lucie Mets of the Florida State League, going 3-4, 6.32 in 27 games, all in relief. He was credited with 5 saves, most on the team. He struck out 52 batters in 47 innings while walking 26 and giving up 48 hits, so his underlying stats were quite a lot better that his ERA would lead one to believe.