San Diego Padres Sign Power-Speed Depth For Outfield Mix

The San Diego Padres have added to their outfield depth, by signing former Cleveland Guardian, 27-year-old Daniel Johnson and bringing him into camp as a non-roster invitee.

He was a 5th-round pick of the Washington Nationals in the 2016 Draft, and was considered a decent prospect in the Guardians organization for a few years, before finally making it up to the big leagues in 2020 and 2021. He only got into a total of 35 games with Cleveland, however, and didn't show much of his potential, batting .202 with a .582 OPS. 

He showed some power and speed skills on his way through the minor leagues at times, going 22 and 22 in A-Ball, hitting 22 HR and swiping 22 bags, while hitting for an OPS of .861 in his second MiLB season. Two years later, he knocked 19 homers while stealing 10 bases and driving in 77 while OPSing .868. 

Things have gone a bit off the rails in recent years, but, still only 27, he'll hope to play himself into the Padres' right field mix at camp this spring. 

While Juan Soto is slated to be in left and Trent Grisham in center, the RF mix is a grab bag right now that also includes  Matt Carpenter, Adam Engel, José Azocar, Brandon Dixon, David Dahl and Preston Tucker.

Photo: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports