Last December the Los Angeles Dodgers acquired prospects Micah Johnson, Frankie Montas and Trayce Thompson in a three-team trade with the Cincinnati Reds and Chicago White Sox. Montas, a hard-throwing righty, was lauded as the Dodgers’ key acquisition.
But Montas underwent rib resection surgery in February, suffered from another rib injury in June, and never broke through with the Dodgers. He was included in a trade with the Oakland Athletics that netted the Dodgers Rich Hill and Josh Reddick.
Thompson took advantage of an opportunity created by Andre Ethier sustaining a fractured tibia late in Spring Training. However, Thompson fell victim to injury himself — multiple fractures in his back — and never played after July 10.
Meanwhile, Johnson, rated a top-10 second baseman by MLB Pipeline prior to the 2016 season beginning, opened the year with Triple-A Oklahoma City.
In March, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts praised Johnson for being a “dynamic player.” He joined the Dodgers on April 9, replacing an injured Carl Crawford on the disabled list.
Johnson entered as a pinch-hitter in the ninth inning that afternoon against the San Francisco Giants and remained in the game at second base in a contest the Dodgers went on to win in 10 innings.
Johnson was optioned to Oklahoma City on April 11 and didn’t rejoin the Dodgers until active rosters expanded in September. He was just 1-for-6 with one strikeout while appearing in seven games with the Dodgers, playing second base (three games) and left field (one game).
Over 120 games with OKC, Johnson hit .261/.321/.356 with 23 doubles, five home runs, 37 RBI and 26 stolen bases (37 attempts; 70 percent success rate).
Johnson ended the regular season on a four-game hitting streak, which he extended to 13 games during Oklahoma City’s playoff run. The 25-year-old was 15-for-40 (.375) with 10 runs scored in the playoffs.
He played 84 games (78 starts) at second base for OKC, made two starts at third base, logged 25 games (20 starts) in left field and 16 games (14 starts) in center field. It marked the first time in Johnson’s professional career he did not exclusively play second base.
2016 Highlight
Prior to ending the season on a high note, Johnson had a pair of six-game hitting streaks with Oklahoma City — from May 3-8 and May 19-26.
On Sept. 29, Johnson collected his only hit with the Dodgers, and scored a run in a 9-4 victory.
2017 Outlook
The Dodgers, for now at least, have an opening at second base, as Chase Utley is a free agent. However, Howie Kendrick remains under contract and could easily return to his natural position.
Johnson has one option year remaining, and appears destined to begin the 2017 season with Oklahoma City.
