How Troy Johnston unlocked the speed, power to achieve 20/20 season

Troy Johnston slimmed down entering this season, determined to be a better baserunner without sacrificing any power. All that work has paid off. On Sunday, he became the first Marlins minor league player since 2008 to have 20 home runs and 20 stolen bases in the same season.

After beginning in AA Pensacola (repeating the level he played at for most of last year), Johnston was promoted to AAA Jacksonville and has continued to produce. Across both levels, he is currently slashing .314/.404/.572/.976 with 24 home runs and 20 stolen bases. Compare that to the 2019, 2021 and 2022 seasons where he combined for 32 homers and 11 steals.

"I am proud of that accomplishment of course, but it was a testament to how much I was willing to change to find success," Johnston told Fish On First just a day after reaching the milestone. "Of course disappointed with my original placement after Spring Training, I decided I needed to get better in every avenue I was lacking including defense and baserunning and I’m happy with how my coaches have worked with me on becoming a more well-rounded player."

The more surprising part of the first baseman's 20/20 milestone is the stolen bases, especially his efficiency (only caught once in 21 attempts).

"Basestealing-wise, I have always been nervous about it," said Johnston. "But trial and error has been my best friend and being sneaky about it. Running at the right time with the right jumps because I am not a burner by any means. Talking to other good base-stealers like Nasim Nuñez and JD Orr, I learned a lot from what they did and tried to do it myself. Seems to work okay so far."

Johnston had already established himself as a talented hitter, but the amount of over-the-fence power that Johnston has shown this season is another big change. He credits his new mechanics for that.

"I think the boost in power came from my swing change on trying to cut down my leg kick more and more because I was not on time with the fastball a significant amount of the time. It made for much more consistent contact on all pitches."

At the AAA level this season, aside from the addition of the pitch clock and the ban of the shift, there is the automated ball-strike system (ABS). Offensive numbers have gone up significantly in the International League as a result, but Johnston's .356/.423/.583/1.006 slash line is still 51% better than league average in terms of wRC+. The 26-year-old is facing competition that's the same age as him and dominating to the same degree he did at AA.

With this new power and speed combining with Johnston's great plate discipline and contact skills, he is doing everything possible to earn an opportunity in the majors. The Marlins currently find themselves in the thick of a playoff chase and a bat like Johnston's could help an offense that has had its ups and downs. Even including their successful series against the Nationals, Miami ranks 29th among MLB teams in runs scored since the All-Star break.

Although Johnston knows that he is extremely close to the major league level, he doesn't allow that to distract him.

"As of right now, I’m focusing on being the best Jumbo Shrimp I can be, but being a late-inning lefty bat for a pinch-hit opportunity or as a backup first baseman behind Bell is where I see myself. Being a lefty bat, I feel as though I bring some versatility because we have a mainly right handed lineup. But I don’t worry about that too much because you definitely want to be where your feet are in this game."

AAA Jacksonville has three series remaining in the regular season (18 total games). If Johnston isn't called up, at least he has an outside shot of reaching 30 homers (six away) and challenging the franchise's single-season MiLB RBI record (21 away from tying it).

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