Daniel Johnson Jr. Bio
Daniel Johnson Jr. (born July 11, 1995) is an American professional baseball outfielder who is a free agent. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Cleveland Indians, Baltimore Orioles, and San Francisco Giants. Johnson was drafted by the Washington Nationals in the fifth round of the 2016 Major League Baseball draft and has spent portions of multiple seasons at the major league level while developing his career primarily in the minor leagues.
Early Life and Background
Johnson was born and raised in Vallejo, California, where he attended Jesse M. Bethel High School. During his senior year in 2013, he demonstrated exceptional hitting ability, posting a batting average of .515. Despite his impressive high school performance, Johnson went undrafted in the 2013 Major League Baseball draft and chose to continue his baseball career at the collegiate level.
Johnson enrolled at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College for the 2014 season. In his freshman year, he appeared in 39 games and hit .274 with two home runs and 16 runs batted in. Following the season, he transferred to New Mexico State University to play for the Aggies, where he continued to develop as a player.
Path to Professional Baseball
At New Mexico State University, Johnson established himself as one of the top players in the Western Athletic Conference. During his sophomore season in 2015, he batted .305 with two home runs and 16 runs batted in. His junior season in 2016 proved to be his breakthrough campaign, as he slashed an impressive .382/.434/.630 with 12 home runs, 50 runs batted in, and 29 stolen bases across 57 games.
Johnson’s outstanding performance in 2016 earned him recognition as the Western Athletic Conference Player of the Year, solidifying his status as a professional prospect. His combination of power, speed, and plate discipline made him an attractive target for Major League Baseball teams heading into the 2016 draft.
Daniel Johnson Jr. Career
Washington Nationals (2016–2018)
Johnson was selected by the Washington Nationals in the fifth round of the 2016 Major League Baseball draft. In his first professional season, he played 62 games for the Auburn Doubledays and hit .265 with one home run and 14 runs batted in. The Nationals believed in Johnson’s potential to not only handle center field at higher levels but also to develop additional power as he progressed through their system.
The 2017 season marked Johnson’s emergence as a top prospect within the Nationals organization. Assigned to the Hagerstown Suns, he demonstrated significantly improved power and hitting ability. By the end of May, he had already hit 10 home runs while maintaining a batting average above .300. His exceptional performance earned him a spot on the South Atlantic League’s Northern Division All-Star team. On July 24, 2017, Johnson received a promotion to the Advanced-A Potomac Nationals of the Carolina League. MLB Pipeline ranked him as the Nationals’ tenth-best prospect that same month. He finished the 2017 season with a .298 batting average, 22 home runs, 72 runs batted in, and 22 stolen bases across 130 total games, earning him the Nationals’ Minor League Player of the Year award.
The 2018 season presented challenges as Johnson battled injuries. Despite the setbacks, he appeared in 89 games for the Harrisburg Senators, slashing .267/.321/.410 with six home runs and 31 runs batted in.
Cleveland Indians / Guardians (2019–2021)
On November 30, 2018, Johnson was traded to the Cleveland Indians as part of a package that included pitcher Jefry Rodríguez and infielder Andruw Monasterio, in exchange for catcher Yan Gomes. He began the 2019 season with the Akron RubberDucks and received a promotion to the Triple-A Columbus Clippers on May 25, 2019. That July, Johnson represented the Indians organization at the 2019 All-Star Futures Game. Over 123 combined games between Akron and Columbus, he batted .290 with 19 home runs and 77 runs batted in, showcasing the potential that made him a key piece in the Gomes trade.
Following the 2019 season, Johnson was added to the Indians’ 40-man roster. He made the Indians’ Opening Day roster for the 2020 season and made his major league debut on July 25, going hitless in three at-bats. He appeared in limited action during the shortened 2020 season, batting .083 with no home runs or runs batted in over 12 at-bats. On July 18, 2021, Johnson hit his first career major league home run, a solo shot against Oakland Athletics starter Chris Bassitt. The newly-named Cleveland Guardians designated Johnson for assignment on November 19, 2021, and after clearing waivers, he was outrighted to Triple-A Columbus on November 24.
San Francisco Giants (2025)
On May 2, 2025, Johnson signed a minor league contract with the San Francisco Giants. He played 26 games for the Triple-A Sacramento River Cats, slashing .272/.312/.534 with six home runs, 18 runs batted in, and five stolen bases. On June 4, the Giants selected Johnson’s contract, adding him to their active roster. In 14 appearances for San Francisco, he batted .172/.226/.345 with one home run, one run batted in, and one stolen base. The Giants designated Johnson for assignment on August 8, 2025.
Baltimore Orioles (2025)
On August 11, 2025, Johnson was claimed off waivers by the Baltimore Orioles. In 17 appearances for Baltimore, he batted .208/.269/.250 with one stolen base and two walks. The Orioles designated Johnson for assignment following the acquisition of George Soriano on November 5, 2025. He cleared waivers and was sent outright to Triple-A Norfolk Tides the following day. Johnson rejected the assignment and elected free agency.
Driving Style and Strengths
Johnson has shown throughout his career the ability to impact games in multiple facets. His speed on the basepaths has been a consistent tool, as evidenced by his 29 stolen bases during his junior season at New Mexico State and his 22 stolen bases in 2017. He has demonstrated gap power that has translated to home run capability at the minor league level. His defensive versatility in the outfield, particularly his ability to handle center field, has been a key part of his value as a prospect and player throughout his career.
Notable Events and Milestones
Johnson’s most significant career milestone came on July 18, 2021, when he hit his first career major league home run against Chris Bassitt of the Oakland Athletics. His selection to the 2019 All-Star Futures Game represented the pinnacle of his minor league achievements to that point. The 2017 season stands out as his most productive professional campaign, when he combined 22 home runs with 22 stolen bases while earning Nationals Minor League Player of the Year honors.
Daniel Johnson Jr. Career Statistics
Johnson has accumulated statistics across multiple minor league seasons and brief major league appearances. His minor league career has been characterized by periods of strong performance, particularly in 2017 and 2019, interspersed with injuries and transitions between organizations.
Major League Baseball Highlights
Johnson made his MLB debut with the Cleveland Indians on July 25, 2020. He appeared in a total of 12 games during his time with the Indians/Guardians organization from 2020 to 2021, recording his first career home run during that span. His brief major league appearances came as a part of his development within the Indians system after establishing himself as one of the top outfield prospects in their organization.
Minor League Career Highlights
Johnson’s most productive minor league season came in 2017 with the Hagerstown Suns and Potomac Nationals, when he combined to hit .298 with 22 home runs, 72 runs batted in, and 22 stolen bases across 130 games. His 2019 season with Akron and Columbus also proved impressive, as he batted .290 with 19 home runs and 77 runs batted in over 123 games. He has demonstrated the ability to steal bases at a high rate throughout his career, with multiple seasons of 20 or more stolen bases.
Daniel Johnson Jr. Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public records do not contain verified information regarding Johnson family background or racing lineage. Johnson was born and raised in Vallejo, California, and attended Jesse M. Bethel High School in that city.
Personal Life
Limited verified information is available regarding Daniel Johnson Jr.’s personal life outside of baseball. His professional baseball career has taken him through multiple organizations across the United States as he has pursued his major league ambitions.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season represented a year of transitions for Johnson. He began the season with Caliente de Durango in the Mexican League, where he posted impressive numbers in a brief 10-game stint, batting .429 with five home runs and 12 runs batted in before joining a Major League Baseball organization. He signed with the San Francisco Giants in May and spent time between Triple-A Sacramento and the major league roster. After being designated for assignment by the Giants in August, he was claimed off waivers by the Baltimore Orioles and appeared in 17 games for Baltimore down the stretch. His season concluded with his election of free agency in November following his outright assignment to Norfolk Tides.