Daniel Johnson (baseball)

{{Infobox baseball biography

|name = Daniel Johnson

|image = Daniel Johnson (48262310287) (cropped).jpg

|caption = Johnson at the 2019 All-Star Futures Game

|width = 260

|team = Caliente de Durango

|number = 7

|position = Outfielder

|birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1995|07|11}}

|birth_place = Vallejo, California, U.S.

|bats = Left

|throws = Left

|debutleague = MLB

|debutdate = July 25

|debutyear = 2020

|debutteam = Cleveland Indians

|statleague = MLB

|statyear = 2024 season

|stat1label = Batting average

|stat1value = .200

|stat2label = Home runs

|stat2value = 4

|stat3label = Runs batted in

|stat3value = 5

|teams =

Cleveland Indians ({{mlby|2020}}–{{mlby|2021}})
Baltimore Orioles ({{mlby|2024}})

}}

Daniel Johnson Jr. (born July 11, 1995) is an American professional baseball outfielder for the Caliente de Durango of the Mexican League. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Cleveland Indians and Baltimore Orioles.

Amateur career

Johnson was born and raised in Vallejo, California, and attended Jesse M. Bethel High School.{{Cite web|url=https://www.timesheraldonline.com/2020/07/24/jesse-bethel-grad-daniel-johnson-called-up-to-big-leagues-by-cleveland-indians/|title = Jesse Bethel grad Daniel Johnson called up to big leagues by Cleveland Indians|date = 24 July 2020}} In 2013, his senior year, he hit .515.{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/nationals-journal/wp/2017/05/08/minor-league-monday-introducing-daniel-johnson/ |title=Minor League Monday: Introducing Daniel Johnson |date=2021-11-26 |orig-date=2017-05-08 |author1=Chelsea Janes |newspaper=The Washington Post |place=Washington, D.C. |issn=0190-8286 |oclc=1330888409}}{{WaPoCheckDates}} Undrafted in the 2013 Major League Baseball draft, he enrolled at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College. In 2014, his freshman year, he hit .274 with two home runs and 16 RBIs over 39 games.{{cite web|url=https://www.dscfalcons.com/sports/bsb/2015-16/releases/20160520jsi3st|title=Stingers Add 2 Pitchers, Outfielder to 2016 Roster|date=20 May 2016}} After the season, he transferred to New Mexico State University where he played baseball for the Aggies. In 2015, his sophomore season, he batted .305 with two home runs and 16 RBIs.{{Cite web|url=https://www.timesheraldonline.com/2015/07/21/former-bethel-high-baseball-star-daniel-johnson-hitting-well-in-indiana/|title=Former Bethel High baseball star Daniel Johnson hitting well in Indiana|date=21 July 2015}} As a junior in 2016, he slashed .382/.434/.630 with 12 home runs, fifty RBIs, and 29 stolen bases over 57 games, and was named the Western Athletic Conference Player of the Year.{{Cite web|url=https://www.lcsun-news.com/story/sports/college/nmsu/2017/04/02/former-aggie-daniel-johnson-ready-1st-full-year-pro-baseball/99959568/|title = Former Aggie Daniel Johnson ready for 1st full year of pro baseball}}

Professional career

=Washington Nationals=

Johnson was drafted by the Washington Nationals in the fifth round of the 2016 Major League Baseball draft.{{cite news|url=http://www.lcsun-news.com/story/sports/college/nmsu/2016/06/07/how-daniel-johnson-turned-himself-into-big-league-prospect-one-season/85570918/|title=How Daniel Johnson turned himself into Big League prospect in one season|work=Las Cruces Sun-News|date=June 7, 2016|access-date=June 6, 2017|first=Jason|last=Groves}} In his first professional season in 2016, Johnson hit .265 with a home run and 14 RBIs over 62 games for the Auburn Doubledays. The Nationals reportedly believed in Johnson's potential not just to stick in center field at higher professional levels, but to produce double-digit home runs as he developed.{{cite news|url=http://www.lcsun-news.com/story/sports/college/nmsu/2017/04/02/former-aggie-daniel-johnson-ready-1st-full-year-pro-baseball/99959568/|work=Las Cruces Sun-News|title=Former Aggie Daniel Johnson ready for 1st full year of pro baseball|first=Mark|last=Rudi|date=April 2, 2017|access-date=June 6, 2017}}

Johnson was assigned to the Hagerstown Suns for the 2017 season. Almost right away, Johnson demonstrated significantly greater power and hitting ability with the Suns, hitting ten home runs by the end of May and posting a batting average above .300.{{cite news|url=https://www.outsidepitchmlb.com/washington-nationals-prospect-daniel-johnson/70553|agency=Outside Pitch Sports Network|title=Breakout Washington Nationals prospect Daniel Johnson continues to prove his worth|first=Tim|last=Boyle|date=May 31, 2017|access-date=June 6, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170601030735/https://www.outsidepitchmlb.com/washington-nationals-prospect-daniel-johnson/70553|archive-date=June 1, 2017|url-status=dead}} Johnson's prowess earned him a spot on the South Atlantic League's Northern Division All-Star team, alongside teammate Carter Kieboom.{{cite news|url=https://www.milb.com/milb/news/yankees-blake-rutherford-nats-carter-kieboom-among-south-atlantic-league-all-stars/c-234658162/t-185364810|title=Rutherford, Kieboom among Sally All-Stars|agency=Minor League Baseball|date=June 6, 2017|first=Danny|last=Wild|access-date=June 6, 2017}} On July 24, 2017, he was promoted to the Advanced-A Potomac Nationals of the Carolina League.{{cite news|url=https://www.milb.com/hagerstown-suns/news/daniel-johnson-jordan-mills-promoted-to-potomac/c-244120366/t-196097266|agency=Minor League Baseball|date=July 24, 2017|access-date=July 27, 2017|title=Daniel Johnson, Jordan Mills Promoted to Potomac|archive-date=September 8, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170908020209/https://www.milb.com/hagerstown-suns/news/daniel-johnson-jordan-mills-promoted-to-potomac/c-244120366/t-196097266|url-status=dead}} A midseason ranking of prospects by MLB Pipeline that month placed Johnson as the Nationals' tenth-best prospect.{{cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/milb/prospects/2017|work=MLB.com|title=2017 Prospect Watch|access-date=July 25, 2017|archive-date=July 12, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170712163022/http://m.mlb.com/prospects/2017?list=was|url-status=live}} Johnson finished the 2017 season with a .298 batting average, 22 home runs, 72 RBIs. and 22 stolen bases across both levels, appearing in 130 total games.{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/nationals-journal/wp/2017/09/06/minor-league-wednesday-a-look-at-how-the-nationals-affiliates-performed-in-2017/|newspaper=The Washington Post|title=Minor League Wednesday: A look at how the Nationals' prospects performed in 2017|date=September 6, 2017|access-date=September 7, 2017}} He was named the Nationals' Minor League Player of the Year for 2017.{{cite news|url=http://www.masnsports.com/byron-kerr/2017/10/johnson-suero-and-read-appreciative-of-organizational-honors.html|agency=MASN Sports|title=Johnson, Suero and Read appreciative of organizational honors|first=Byron|last=Kerr|date=October 1, 2017|access-date=October 2, 2017}} In 2018, Johnson battled injuries, but still managed to appear in 89 games for the Harrisburg Senators, slashing .267/.321/.410 with six home runs and 31 RBIs.https://www.news-herald.com/sports/indians/daniel-johnson-showing-promise-for-indians-in-spring-training/article_c6f4da36-3d01-11e9-ac62-c74297c130ac.html {{Dead link|date=February 2022}}

=Cleveland Indians / Guardians=

On November 30, 2018, Johnson was traded to the Cleveland Indians, along with Jefry Rodríguez and a player to be named later (who was later announced as Andruw Monasterio), for Yan Gomes.{{cite news |last1=Hoynes |first1=Paul |title=Cleveland Indians trade catcher Yan Gomes to Washington Nationals for three players; restructuring of team payroll has begun |url=https://www.cleveland.com/tribe/2018/12/cleveland-indians-trade-catcher-yan-gomes-to-washington-nationals-for-three-players-restructuring-of-team-payroll-has-begun.html |publisher=Cleveland.com |date=November 30, 2018}} He began 2019 with the Akron RubberDucks and was promoted to the Columbus Clippers on May 25, 2019. That July, he played in the 2019 All-Star Futures Game.{{cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/2019-futures-game-rosters?t=mlb-pipeline-coverage|title=Here are the 2019 Futures Game rosters|author=Jim Callis|website=MLB.com|date=June 28, 2019|access-date=June 28, 2019}} Over 123 games between Akron and Columbus, he batted .290 with 19 home runs and 77 RBIs.{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/indians-view-daniel-johnson-as-potential-regular/|title = Indians View Daniel Johnson as Potential Regular| date=6 February 2020 }}

Johnson was added to the Indians' 40–man roster following the 2019 season.{{cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/indians/news/indians-add-three-prospects-to-40-man-roster|title=Indians add McKenzie to 40-man roster|website=MLB.com|author=Mandy Bell|date=November 20, 2019|access-date=November 21, 2019}} He made the Indians' Opening Day roster for the 2020 season.{{cite news |last1=Hoynes |first1=Paul |title=Cleveland Indians recall OF Daniel Johnson for opening night against Kansas City |url=https://www.cleveland.com/tribe/2020/07/cleveland-indians-recall-of-daniel-johnson-for-opening-night-against-kansas-city.html |publisher=Cleveland.com |date=July 24, 2020}} Johnson made his major league debut on July 25, going hitless in three at-bats.{{Cite web|url=https://www.cleveland.com/tribe/2020/07/how-about-some-chatter-out-there-and-4-other-things-about-the-cleveland-indians.html|title = How about some chatter out there and 4 other things about the Cleveland Indians|date = 25 July 2020}} He batted .083 with no home runs or RBI over 12 at-bats in 2020.

On July 18, 2021, Johnson hit his first career home run, a solo shot off of Oakland Athletics starter Chris Bassitt.{{cite tweet|number=1416900685115924490|user=BallySportsCLE|title=Daniel Johnson hit his first career home run in Oakland where he grew up right down the street. @Indians | #OurCLE |date=18 July 2021}}

Johnson was designated for assignment by the newly-named Cleveland Guardians on November 19, 2021.{{cite news |title=Guardians Announce Series Of 40-man Roster Moves |url=https://www.mlb.com/guardians/press-release/guardians-announce-series-of-40-man-roster-moves |publisher=CleGuardians.com |date=November 19, 2021}} After clearing waivers, he was outrighted to the Triple-A Columbus Clippers on November 24, 2021.{{cite news |last1=Noga |first1=Joe |title=Guardians outright three to Columbus, LHPs Scott Moss and Kyle Nelson claimed on waivers |url=https://www.cleveland.com/guardians/2021/11/guardians-outright-three-to-columbus-lhps-scott-moss-and-kyle-nelson-claimed-on-waivers.html |publisher=Cleveland.com |date=November 24, 2021}}

He began the 2022 season with Triple-A Columbus. In 17 games, he hit .217/.217/.377 with 3 home runs and 11 RBI.

=New York Mets=

On May 25, 2022, Johnson was traded to the New York Mets in exchange for cash considerations.{{cite news |last1=Polishuk |first1=Mark |title=Mets Acquire Daniel Johnson From Guardians |url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2022/05/mets-acquire-daniel-johnson-from-guardians.html |publisher=MLB Trade Rumors |date=May 25, 2022}} Johnson played in 14 games for the Triple-A Syracuse Mets, limping to a .136/.167/.227 line with one home run and 6 RBI. He was released on July 24.

=Washington Nationals (second stint)=

On July 29, 2022, Johnson signed a minor league contract with the Washington Nationals organization. Johnson played in 26 games for the Triple-A Rochester Red Wings, hitting just .189/.275/.256 with one home run and eight RBI. He elected free agency following the season on November 10.{{Cite web|title=2022-23 Minor League Free Agents For All 30 MLB Teams|url=https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/2022-23-minor-league-free-agents-for-all-30-mlb-teams/?amphtml|access-date=December 30, 2024|website=baseballamerica.com|language=en}}

=San Diego Padres=

On February 23, 2023, Johnson signed a minor league contract with the San Diego Padres organization.{{Cite web|title=Padres' Daniel Johnson: Signs with Padres|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/padres-daniel-johnson-signs-with-padres/amp/|access-date=2023-02-24|website=cbssports.com|language=en}} In 126 games split between the Double–A San Antonio Missions and Triple–A El Paso Chihuahuas, he batted a cumulative .271/.348/.469 with 19 home runs, 73 RBI, and 30 stolen bases. Johnson elected free agency following the season on November 6.{{Cite web|title=2023 MiLB Free Agents|url=https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/2023-milb-free-agents/|access-date=January 25, 2024|website=baseballamerica.com|language=en}}

=Baltimore Orioles=

On January 23, 2024, Johnson signed a minor league contract with the Baltimore Orioles.{{Cite web|title=Orioles' Daniel Johnson: Latches on with Baltimore|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/orioles-daniel-johnson-latches-on-with-baltimore/amp/|access-date=January 23, 2024|website=cbssports.com|language=en}} In 118 games for the Triple–A Norfolk Tides, he slashed .259/.320/.448 with 21 home runs, 76 RBI, and 17 stolen bases. On September 21, the Orioles selected Johnson's contract, adding him to their active roster.{{Cite web|title=Orioles Select Daniel Johnson, Option Coby Mayo|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2024/09/orioles-select-daniel-johnson-option-coby-mayo.html|access-date=September 21, 2024|website=mlbtraderumors.com|language=en}} He made one appearance for Baltimore, grounding out in his only at–bat. On October 31, Johnson was removed from the 40–man roster and sent outright to Norfolk, but rejected the assignment in favor of free agency.{{cite news |title=Corbin Burnes among 8 Orioles entering MLB free agency pool |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/42116745/corbin-burnes-8-orioles-entering-mlb-free-agency-pool |access-date=October 31, 2024 |publisher=ESPN.com |date=October 31, 2024}}

=Caliente de Durango=

On February 21, 2025, Johnson signed with the Caliente de Durango of the Mexican League.{{Cite web|title=LMB: Movimientos en listas de reserva - 21 de febrero de 2025|url=https://www.milb.com/mexican/news/lmb-movimientos-en-listas-de-reserva-21-de-febrero-de-2025|access-date=February 22, 2025|website=milb.com|language=en}}