Micah Johnson’s offseason odyssey has come to an end. The Rays announced today that the infielder has cleared waivers and been sent outright to Triple-A Durham as a means of clearing a 40-man roster spot for the newly re-signed Sergio Romo.
Once considered the second baseman of the future for the White Sox, Johnson initially went from the ChiSox to the Dodgers by way of the three-team Todd Frazier trade with the Reds. Johnson spent the 2016 season in the Dodgers’ organization but was flipped to Atlanta last January. He enjoyed a solid run with Atlanta’s Triple-A affiliate, hitting .289/.377/.400 in a small sample of 155 plate appearances but also missed a significant portion of the year due to a fractured left wrist.
Johnson, 27, finished out the season in the Braves organization but has since been placed on waivers and claimed by three different clubs. Johnson went from the Braves to the Reds, to the Giants and to the Rays before finally clearing waivers and remaining with his current organization. A career .224/.291/.259 hitter in 131 MLB plate appearances and .281/.341/.393 hitter in 1323 Triple-A PAs, Johnson will be in Major League camp as a non-roster invitee with the Rays this spring.
Braun is a beast
Cmon Micah! As a White Sox fan I sorry to see the rough transition to the majors. Show the rays what you can do. Best of luck.
Read it again.
y tho?
Another white sox prospect that didn’t make it. Thanks mr. Williams
Micah Johnson’ issues have as much to do with a chronic injury (elbow) as well others, some of which were of the “freakish” variety. Last I checked he hasn’t retired from playing professional baseball so it’s a little early to be writing his epitaph. While Johnson was in the White Sox farm system he was their best producer as an offensive player, bettering those of graduated players like Tim Anderson. Johnson’s problem was finding a suitable defensive position because of his surgically repaired elbow.
Apparently Kenny Williams wasn’t the only executive who placed some value on Johnson or he wouldn’t have been traded for or claimed by so many other organizations in the past couple of seasons.
Johnson is a good enough ball player to be on an mlb roster. The kid can play.
He stole 84 bases in a season a couple years ago
That was back in 2013 in Johnson’s first full season as a professional. He actually led minor league baseball that season, besting speedster Billy Hamilton who had 75 before being promoted by the Reds late in the year. Johnson was a far better hitter and leadoff man than Hamilton in the minors but just didn’t have the defensive ability which counts for a lot in the sport, especially one who can play a stellar CF.
He has plenty of defensive ability, get real!
Johnson is very limited defensively despite his plus speed. His arm limited him to 2B earlier in his career but he also had some stone hands. He’s also somewhat muscle bound which has resulted in a few hamstring issues that greatly affects his best tool, his running game.
Johnson has spent more time in the outfield since leaving the White Sox organization but his arm really only suits him to LF which is generally a position for power hitters. He’d need to prove an excellent leadoff hitter, ala Tim Raines or Rickey Henderson in order to be an asset to an MLB club. In the A.L. the DH would also be an option provided he could be an effective top of the order bat. Johnson lacks the defensive versatility to be a good choice as a utility player.
How stacked is the league where this guy gets through waivers. Royals Marlins Mets Giants Reds Rockies Pirates all could give him a chance. Even if he bats 9 in the NL. the speed plays