Miami Marlins 2018 Review: Osiris Johnson’s First Professional Look

Osiris Johnson was chosen in the second round of the 2018 MLB Amateur Draft.

Throughout the 2018/2019 offseason, Marlin Maniac will devote one article each for every player who appeared in the Miami Marlins system for the 2018 season. Every. Single. Player. This is Part 193 of 286. For the first 100, click here.

Osiris Marcel Johnson is a 6′, 181 lb. shortstop from Alameda, California. Alameda has produced 13 major leaguers since shortstop Oscar Westerberg in 1907, and Most recently, former Marlins catcher John Baker. Johnson would like to be the 14th. You can follow him on Twitter @johnson_osiris.

Johnson was born on October 18th, 2000, and the Marlins drafted him in the second round of the 2018 MLB Amateur Draft out of Encinal HS. Selected 53rd overall, Johnson joins a fraternity that places 44 percent of its members in the majors. The “53 Club” is led by Hall of Fame catcher Gary Carter (1972, Montreal Expos, 70.1 career WAR), Andy Messersmith (1965, Detroit Tigers, 40.2 WAR), and Phil Bradley (1981, Seattle Mariners, 18.6 WAR).

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After signing with the Miami Marlins for a $1,350,000 bonus and reported to the rookie-level, Florida-based GCL Marlins in the Gulf Coast League. In 25 games, Johnson slashed .301/.333/.447 while fielding at a .933 clip at shortstop. On July 18th, Johnson batted second in an 11-5 win over the GCL Nationals. He hit two singles, a double, and a home run, stealing a base, scoring three times, and totaling three RBI. Johnson collected multiple hits in nine of his 25 contests with GCL.

Johnson has a tremendous toolbox to work with and they were sharpening as the spring wore on. The right-handed hitter struggled as a freshman but improved markedly in subsequent years, showing the ability to impact the baseball consistently. The better he’s gotten at getting the barrel to the ball, the more his raw power is showing up in games, and he was clearing fences a lot more as the Draft approached. At one point, it seemed like Johnson might need to move to an outfield corner, but his defense has improved to the point where he should be able to remain on the dirt, perhaps even at shortstop, with moves to third or second a possibility as well. – MLB Pipeline

Here’s Johnson with the GCL, courtesy of JT Baseball Scouting:

On August 7th, Johnson was promoted two levels to the single-A Greensboro Grasshoppers in the South Atlantic League. His slashline suffered to the tune of .188/.205/.294 over 23 games, and his fielding percentage dropped to .841 with 13 errors in 82 chances. Of maybe even greater concern, Johnson struck out 34 times in only 88 plate appearances with the Hoppers, and drew only one walk.

Johnson is now rostered with the single-A Clinton LumberKings in the Midwest League. He’s still one of the youngest players in the Miami Marlins system, and still has a lot of work to do before he’s major-league ready. He is now the number 14 ranked prospect in the Marlins system, according to MLB’s Pipeline. Look for him to spend the entire season with Clinton, and join the Miami Marlins in either 2022 or 2023.

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