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Miami Marlins Missed an Opportunity to Add Troy Johnston in Latest Roster Shuffle

Miami's recent roster decisions raise eyebrows as top-performing first baseman remains in Jacksonville.
ByRiley Clingman|
Mar 26, 2023; Port St. Lucie, Florida, USA; New York Mets center fielder Brandon Nimmo (9) and Miami Marlins first baseman Troy Johnston (46) watch Miami Marlins starting pitcher Braxton Garrett (29) throw a pitch during the third inning at Clover Park.
Mar 26, 2023; Port St. Lucie, Florida, USA; New York Mets center fielder Brandon Nimmo (9) and Miami Marlins first baseman Troy Johnston (46) watch Miami Marlins starting pitcher Braxton Garrett (29) throw a pitch during the third inning at Clover Park. | Rich Storry-Imagn Images

On May 30, the Miami Marlins made a somewhat surprising move by designating first baseman Matt Mervis and infielder Ronny Simon for assignment, while calling up Heriberto Hernandez and Jack Winkler from Triple-A Jacksonville. This decision has left many fans, including myself, scratching our heads, especially considering the standout performance of first baseman Troy Johnston in the minors this season.

Matt Mervis, acquired from the Chicago Cubs in a December 2024 trade that sent Vidal Brujan to Chicago, struggled during his stint with the Marlins. Over 42 games, he hit just .175 with seven home runs and 14 RBIs. Ronny Simon, who made his MLB debut in April, batted .234 with five RBIs in 19 games. However, he also committed three errors in a game against the San Diego Padres on May 27, providing some of the reasoning for why he was designated for assignment.

The promotions of Heriberto Hernandez and Jack Winkler are particularly perplexing. Winkler, selected in the minor league phase of the Rule 5 draft, had a .223 batting average in Double-A last season. Hernandez, while showing potential so far this season, will more than likely be blocked by Kyle Stowers, Dane Myers, Victor Mesa Jr., and Jesus Sanchez. However, Hernandez has slugged 9 home runs in Jacksonville this season, already putting him in second place on the major league club only behind Kyle Stowers, who has 10.

Meanwhile, Troy Johnston has been a beacon of consistency and power in Triple-A Jacksonville. This season, Johnston boasts a .265 batting average with 4 home runs and 21 RBIs. His plate discipline (14 BB to 33 SO) and defensive skills have made him a standout first base prospect within the organization, something Miami has not had in a long time.

The decision to overlook Johnston in favor of less-proven players raises questions about the Marlins' evaluation process, which has been said to be better with an almost entirely new staff in place. In a season where offensive production has been a challenge at times, integrating a high-performing prospect like Johnston could provide a much-needed boost.

According to Thomas Nestico and Fish on First, "Heriberto Hernandez and Troy Johnston almost have identical sample sizes and overall production, but they've gotten to those numbers in different ways." A lot of experts in the minor league baseball world believe that Johnston should have gotten the call instead of Hernandez, but here we are.

Looking Ahead: Will Johnston Get His Chance?

As the Marlins continue to navigate the season, the hope is that performance will eventually dictate opportunity. Troy Johnston's consistent play at Triple-A makes a compelling case for his promotion to a team that is not going to be doing much of anything this season in terms of making a run in a deep National League. However, for a team seeking an offensive spark, giving Johnston a chance seems not only logical but necessary.

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