Position: OF
Height: 6’1”
Weight: 195 lbs
Bats/Throws: B/R
Born: 10/27/1995
College: Sam Houston State University
Drafted: 6th Round, 186th Overall, 2017 (Giants)
How Acquired: Minor league free agent
Bonus: $210,000
40-man Roster: No
Rule 5 Eligible: Eligible
Minor League Free Agency: 2025
Options Left: 0
Overview
Johnson is an outfielder with well above average speed. He’s generally had good walk rates and OBPs, and is a threat to steal. He doesn’t have much power, though, and has struggled to hit so far in 88 major league games. He also strikes out more than you’d want from a hitter without much power. He’s mostly played center field in the minors, and split his time between there and right in the majors. The Pirates signed Johnson to a minor league contract for 2025.
2017-20
Johnson got off to a good start after being drafted by the Giants, batting .329 in short-season ball, although with almost no power. The team jumped him to high A in 2018 and he had only a .664 OPS in the high-offense California League, although he did steal 31 bases in 35 tries. In 2019, he returned to that league for the first half of the season and improved his OPS to .734, then had a .684 OPS. Johnson didn’t play during the pandemic season.
2021-23
Johnson moved up to AAA in 2021 and had a solid season, batting 286/377/433, with 30 steals in 34 tries. He went back to AAA in 2022 and didn’t hit quite as well, but still stole 31 bases in 36 tries. In August, the Giants called him up and he got into 11 games. The team outrighted him after the season.
In 2023, Johnson got called back up and opened the season in the majors. He didn’t hit, though, posting a .485 OPS in 48 plate appearances, and he ultimately spent most of the season in AAA. There, he hit 280/373/455. The Giants outrighted him in early September. He became a free agent in the fall and signed a minor league deal with San Diego.
2024
Johnson again hit well in AAA in 2024, with an .838 OPS. The Padres called him up at mid-season and he again didn’t hit well in the majors, with a .524 OPS in 73 plate appearances. San Diego non-tendered him after the season and he became a free agent. The Pirates signed him to a minor league deal for 2025.
Stats
Transactions
June 13, 2017: Drafted by the San Francisco Giants in the 6th round, 186th overall pick; signed on June 21.
August 3, 2022: Contract purchased by the San Francisco Giants.
November 9, 2022: Outrighted to AAA by the San Francisco Giants.
April 1, 2023: Called up by the San Francisco Giants.
September 3, 2023: Outrighted to AAA by the San Francisco Giants.
October 2, 2023: Became a free agent.
December 21, 2023: Signed as a minor league free agent by the San Diego Padres.
June 24, 2024: Called up by the San Diego Padres.
November 22, 2024: Became a free agent.
January 6, 2025: Signed as a minor league free agent by the Pittsburgh Pirates.