DJ Johnson is an American pitcher for Major League Baseball’s Tampa Bay Rays. He was traded to the Rays along with pitcher Alexi Santana in exchange for minor league reliever James Shields. Johnson was originally selected by the Colorado Rockies out of High School, but he was placed with the DSL Colorado Springs Predators of the independent National League. He spent the next four seasons with the club, winning two championships in his time. Since leaving the Rockies, he has signed a professional contract with the Yankees and spent the entire 2021 season with the club.
A native of New York, DJ Johnson is a two-way player for the Cosmos. As a defensive end, he has appeared in 17 matches so far this season, tallying three assists. He also serves as the team’s backup quarterback, but he is primarily a pitcher with the catcher playing the position in games. His three years of experience in the minors helped him develop into a valuable member of the Cosmos pitching rotation.
Johnson’s athletic ability and arm are the main reasons why he was traded to the Rays, but he must improve upon his understanding of the game if he wants to stick around in Major League Baseball. Unlike most players, DJ Johnson never developed a strong offensive arm in his youth. The lack of a strong arm likely played a large role in him being traded to the Rays, but he must also develop some savvy and great communication skills if he hopes to play successfully in the majors. If he can do these two things, he should have no trouble playing two-way baseball in Tampa Bay.