Only a select few make it to the Major Leagues and of course once you get there the goal is to stick. Some players zip through a farm system very quickly while some need an additional two or three seasons to polish their skills for the parent club.
Daniel Johnson Is A Proud Journeyman
Others such as Daniel Johnson of the Baltimore Orioles get a taste of the Majors, possess enough talent to stay at high levels but start to get the journeyman label as they move from team to team. Johnson’s professional career began when he was chosen in the fifth round of the 2016 baseball draft by the Washington Nationals.
He performed admirably in his first couple of seasons and with a mixture of power and speed (22 home runs and 22 stolen bases) was named Nationals minor league player of the year in 2017.
The upward trajectory continued after he was traded to the Indians organization. Solid production at Double-A Akron and Triple-A Columbus along with an appearance in the futures game paved the way for him to make the opening day 2020 roster for the Cleveland Indians.
Daniel Johnson Made Cleveland Guardians Roster In 2020
COVID was tough for everyone that year as his third inning single would be his lone hit of the season. 2021 would be his last for Cleveland as his productivity wasn’t what the Guardians were looking for.
The next three seasons were challenging for Johnson as he spent a majority of that time at the Triple A level with three different teams. The now 30-year-old still had power to show, but no longer considered a prospect, he would really have to find a way to produce a little bit more than the typical minor league ballplayer.
Johnson Beefed Game Up In Mexican League
His answer came in the Mexican League earlier this year when he hit .429 with five home runs and 12 RBIs over a 10-game span. Johnson spent a month at Triple-A Sacramento for the San Francisco Giants before being brought up to the big club for 14 games.
As a native of the Bay Area, hitting a bro-bomb for his home town team was more than likely a thrill. After being let go by the Giants in early August he was signed by the Baltimore Orioles and on a road trip to San Francisco he had a two-hit game against the team that had just designated him for assignment.
Being a journeyman isn’t an easy experience in the Major Leagues but with his ability to play all three outfield positions, Johnson will more than likely finish out the season with Baltimore and perhaps show enough to earn a spring training invitation in 2026.
