Padres sign former SF Giants speedy outfielder to minor-league deal

The San Diego Padres signed outfielder Bryce Johnson to a minor-league contract, inviting the longtime SF Giants prospect to spring training.

Marc Delucchi | Jan 4, 2024

Padres sign former SF Giants speedy outfielder to minor-league deal /

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The San Diego Padres inked former SF Giants outfielder Bryce Johnson to a minor-league contract back in December. The deal presumably includes an invitation to big-league spring training. Johnson was a longtime prospect in the Giants organization, known for his signature speed and defense. Johnson is expected to compete for a role in a Padres outfield that needs to replace center fielder Trent Grisham and left fielder Juan Soto, who were traded to the Yankees earlier this offseason.

SF Giants outfielder Bryce Johnson taking a swing. (2022) / Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports

A sixth-round pick by the Giants back in 2017, Johnson steadily progressed through the organization's minor-league ranks with a contact-focused offensive profile alongside elite speed and defense in center field. He finally reached the majors in 2022, and recorded his first big-league hit during a short stint. However, he was designated for assignment and outrighted off the 40-man roster by the end of the season. He posted a .111/.158/.111 line in 19 plate appearances with the Giants.

Rather than leaving the organization, though, he opted to re-sign with the Giants on a minor-league contract that included an invitation to spring training. Johnson was one of the Giants biggest standouts there, recording a league-leading 12 stolen bases with a .310/.423/.405 in 52 plate appearances. While he was snubbed from the Opening Day roster at the last minute due to a trade that fell through, he soon was re-added to the 40-man roster.

Johnson at times looked like the best player with the Giants Triple-A affiliate this season, hitting .280/.373/.455 with 13 doubles, four triples, and eight home runs in 66 games with 18 stolen bases. His struggles in the majors continued, though. In 48 plate appearances (30 games), he hit .163/.229/.256 with a double, home run, four walks, 15 strikeouts, and three stolen bases. With several younger prospects eclipsing Johnson on the organizational depth chart, he was once again designated for assignment and outrighted in September.

Now 28, Bryce Johnson will hope to find a more consistent role, and his first sustained big-league success, with the SF Giants division rival.

Published Jan 4, 2024

MARC DELUCCHI

Marc Delucchi (he/they/she) serves as the Managing Editor at Giants Baseball Insider, leading their SF Giants coverage. As a freelance journalist, he has previously covered the San Francisco Giants at Around the Foghorn and McCovey Chronicles. He also currently contributes to Niners Nation, Golden State of Mind, and Baseball Prospectus. He has previously been featured in several other publications, including SFGate, ProFootballRumors, Niners Wire, GrandStand Central, Call to the Pen, and Just Baseball. Over his journalistic career, Marc has conducted investigations into how one prep baseball player lost a college opportunity during the pandemic (Baseball Prospectus) and the rampant mistreatment of players at the University of Hawaii football program under former head coach Todd Graham (SFGate). He has also broken dozens of news stories around professional baseball, primarily around the SF Giants organization, including the draft signing of Kyle Harrison, injuries and promotions to top prospects like Heliot Ramos, and trade details in the Kris Bryant deal. Marc received a Bachelor's degree from Kenyon College with a major in economics and a minor in Spanish. During his time in college, he conducted a summer research project attempting to predict the future minor-league performance of NCAA hitters, worked as a data analyst for the school's Women's basketball team, and worked as a play-by-play announcer/color commentator for the basketball, baseball, softball, and soccer teams. He also worked as an amateur baseball scout with the Collegiate Baseball Scouting Network (later renamed Evolution Metrix), scouting high school and college players for three draft cycles. For tips and inquiries, feel free to reach out to Marc directly on Twitter or via email (delucchimarc@gmail.com).