Miami's Standout Prospect from Spring Training is an Unlikely Name
The Miami Marlins are generally not considered to have a good farm system.
But there are still some hidden gems in there, and their best-performing prospect of Grapefruit League play is actually someone who they almost lost to the Rule 5 draft.
First baseman and outfielder Troy Johnston has followed up a strong 2023 season in the minors with continued exemplary play in limited spring training action so far this March.
A 2019 draftee, coming off the board in the 17th round out of Gonzaga University, Johnston has surpassed what a normal player from that round would do to be on the cusp of a major league debut at the age of 26.
Between AA Pensacola and AAA Jacksonville last season, Johnston batted .307/.399/.549 with a Minors-leading 116 RBIs. He hit 26 homers and stole 24 bases, an impressive combination of power and speed for a minor-leaguer.
He wasn't protected by Miami for last winter's Rule 5 draft, leaving open the possibility that some other team might take him and add him to their major league bench...but curiously, wasn't selected by any other organization.
And Johnston apparently took that personally - this spring, he's batting .444 in limited spring action, with time both at first base and left field.
The Marlins are seemingly set at first base with trade deadline acquisition Josh Bell option in for this season and slated to play either first or designated hitter every day. The organization also has former Orioles and Astros infielder Trey Mancini in camp on a minor-league deal.
But veterans like Mancini often have roster clauses in their contracts, where they can ask for their release if not added to the active roster by a certain date in spring or the regular season. (We have no confirmation if that's present in Mancini's contract).
But if Mancini were to leave the organization in an effort to find another major league job with a different team, that would open the door for Johnston to be the "first man up" at first base were an injury to hit Bell or third baseman Jake Burger, who spent some time at first base last season as well.
Managing Editor for Blackerby Media, covering the Atlanta Braves and Miami Marlins Also: Senior Baseball Writer for Auburn Daily, member of both the National College Baseball Writers Association and Internet Baseball Writers Association of America (where he won the 2023 Prospects, Minors, & College Writer of the Year award)