The Orioles are adding another talented coach to their major league coaching staff, according to Andy Kostka of the Baltimore Banner. At 34 years old, talented coach will collaborate with hitting coach Cody Asche and assistant hitting coach Tommy Joseph on the team’s offensive efforts. Earlier today, Roch Kubatko of MASNsports.com hinted that Johnson’s promotion might be imminent.
This marks Johnson’s debut as an MLB coach, following a rapid rise through the coaching ranks. As recently as 2022, he was playing in the independent American Association. A Florida State alumnus, Johnson enjoyed a nine-year minor league career and had a brief stint in the majors with the Angels in 2018, though he went hitless in 10 at-bats. Known for his strong plate discipline and limited power, the left-handed hitter stood out in the minors.
Johnson didn’t move into coaching until 2023. Baltimore hired him as a hitting instructor with their Double-A team in Bowie. He spent this past season as a minor league hitting coordinator. It seems he built a quick rapport with a number of the O’s prospects. Johnson coached Jackson Holliday, Heston Kjerstad and Coby Mayo with Bowie and should get to work with them again at Camden Yards.
Baltimore has opted for a fairly inexperienced group of hitting instructors. Asche, also 34, is a lead hitting coach for the first time after two years as an assistant on Brandon Hyde’s staff. Joseph, 33, is going into his second season as an MLB coach. He spent this year with the Mariners in an assistant role.
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