The momentum of networks and dedicated sites for our beloved baseball is exponential, a generation of tools that increase opportunities. Unforgettable experiences, thanks to the constant contacts generated between candidates, always more eager to travel to hit the ball, and the countless leagues scattered around the globe. Kian Johnston, 25, is one of them.
Having already swapped the harsh Scandinavian climate for the more oceanic one of the Atlantic coast of La Rochelle in June 2024, he chose to repeat the experience in 2025.
Nature hasn’t been kind to the Canadian who grew up in “Fruitvale” in British Columbia: 98 kg for 1.97 meters. One of the most versatile players in the French circuit has a physique more suited for the outfield, first base, where he focused during his college career. Although one can easily imagine him on the mound as well… With the tall right-hander, the ball leaves and returns very quickly. Very solid at contact on fastballs or breaking balls, instinctive on the bases and, to top it off, quite fast (60 yards in 6.7 seconds), the former “Pecos League” player (an independent professional baseball league operating in the central-western regions of the United States) is back with an ambition: to do at least as well as last season.
His sports career began where he was born, in the north of the Americas, within the « J.L. Crowe High School ». The young Canadian played hockey and competed in skiing. Johnston began his college baseball career at Southwestern Oregon Community College (2017-2018), then at Douglas College (2018-2020).
It was at this point that a serious concussion and a hamstring injury kept the kinesiology student away from the fields for two years. The opportunity, despite himself, to take stock.
In 2022, Johnston reached New Mexico with the “Greyhounds” baseball team as a sophomore and junior.
In 2021-2022, he participated in the “California Collegiate League” or “CCL summer” championship (founded in 1993) with the “Seals” of San Francisco. At the plate, his exit velocity there reached over 160 km/h. The CCL is a 40-game season including an All-Star game north vs. south, broadcast nationally. Players use pro-level bats and balls to continue their potential professional development. In the CCL, Kian posted a .387 batting average in the regular season, the best average among the league’s junior players. Throughout his stay in California, he played against some players who now feature in the MLB.
It was in 2023 that the European adventure began for the tall right-hander in Karlskoga in… Sweden (32nd in the world – 12th in Europe). Apparently unfazed by the cold, the Canadian hits hard and leaves Scandinavia with a .388 batting average, an OPS of 1.224, an OBP of .500, 9 HR, 6 2B, 25 RBI, 6 SB and the title of Offensive Player of the Year in Elite. “God afton”…
When asked what he took away from his journey, Kian said: I enjoyed all my baseball experiences, I learned a lot as a player abroad. Each place is unique, with its advantages like baseball culture in the USA, the Scandinavian approach in Sweden. I like to imagine that baseball will take me somewhere else where they hit the ball well… I am among these baseball travelers, who constitute a group apart, players with a very rich history, which makes them so special and endearing I hope!
After Sweden, due to the strong competition for baseball positions abroad, Johnston remained without a contract throughout the 2023-2024 winter. His only opportunity was the Pecos League. During the preseason, still actively seeking an opportunity in Europe, Jimmy Jensen (Baseball Jobs Over Seas) recommended him to La Rochelle: « Three days after Pascal Regnier contacted me, I was on my way to LR before the last day to add my name to the roster. What timing! »
In 2024, Kian is in France (21st in the world, just ahead of Canada – 7th in Europe).
The Atlantic air does the North American good, who signs a brilliant season, sprinkled with 20 hits and 5 extra-base hits (3 doubles, 2 triples), leaving the Rochellais with good memories a .357 batting average and an OPS of .1058, in 16 games. That was enough for Pascal Regnier and Pablo Ossandon to hope to count on the « slugger » again. In 2025, Kian can boast of a very good start to the season, batting .417, with already 2 home runs for the stands in center and left field and two doubles for eleven RBIs. « Bonsoir »…
BTVF: Kian, you’ve signed again with the Boucaniers in D1. What do you think of French baseball in general?
KJ: It’s progressing rapidly. In my opinion, it’s one of the best I’ve encountered on the continent, notwithstanding the Dutch or Italian, similar to the surprising Czech baseball. Last year, I faced all the D1 teams and they were all solid. What’s good about French Elite is that any team has the means to beat any other on a doubleheader, with a rather short season. The intensity is quite high, you have to be ready right away, which is not the case in many championships, including in Europe.
BTVF: Last year, Rouen won its 18th title since 2002. What do you think of this performance?
KJ: Rouen is a strong club with great depth, it’s a beautiful challenge to face them. I knew they had many titles, but I didn’t doubt it was that many!. That doesn’t mean anything for 2025. Each season is a new challenge and we are up to it. Our bullpen is rather experienced unlike that of the Huskies which seems to be less solid this season.
BTVF: The La Rochelle team is often criticized for the importance of its « Latina diaspora », which, it must be admitted, represents a large part of the team. During your career, have you encountered many Latino players?
KJ: Yes, a lot, most of the players on my team in New Mexico were Latino. One of my best roommates in college is Dominican/American… We had a good time, we never laughed so much in a season. They are very cheerful guys with a strong character. They are very competitive. Tovar, Pena, Canelon, De La Rosa, Nieves, Molero, Rossel, Suazo, all these guys develop an incredible strength in the game in La Rochelle and some of them have even started a family there.
BTVF: What are your expectations for this season?
KJ: Our first goal is to reach the playoffs and our team is ready. The playoffs are a clear expectation, and once the playoffs arrive, it’s a new game, everything is to be done again. Baseball is complex and full of pitfalls. The finalist teams are quite equal. It’s the nerves and the offensive and defensive depths that will make the difference. It will sometimes be complicated. My goal is to assist my teammates as best as possible to win the championship.
Vincent Picard
