Rule 5 Draft: Nasim Nuñez Departs, But Troy Johnston Stays with Marlins

The most recent iteration of the Rule 5 Draft is in the books. On Wednesday afternoon in Nashville, Tennessee, Nasim Nuñez departed the Miami Marlins organization, selected by the Washington Nationals with the fifth overall pick.

The Marlins chose the speedy infielder with their second-round pick in the 2019 MLB Draft. Nuñez hit .233/.358/.286 with 183 stolen bases in 351 minor league games, establishing himself as Miami's best defensive shortstop. He represented the organization in the 2023 Futures Game and made one final impression on the Nats (and other potentially interested teams) during the Arizona Fall League.

The Marlins will play the Nationals six times in Grapefruit League spring training games, starting on February 25 in Jupiter. If Nuñez cracks Washington's regular season roster, he'll face his former organization at LoanDepot Park from April 26-29.

To the surprise of many, Marlins Minor League Player of the Year Troy Johnston is still with the Fish.

A 2019 draftee out of Gonzaga, Johnston's breakout campaign occurred in 2022 where he hit .292/.360/.450 in his jump to the AA Pensacola Blue Wahoos. That stint earned him the call to AAA at the back end of his age-25 season. In his initial showing with the Jumbo Shrimp, Johnston’s production stumbled as he hit .155/.293/.330. Left unprotected in his first year of Rule 5 eligibility, he went unselected and remained with Miami.

This past season, better physical preparation allowed Johnston to become one of the most productive players in the Marlins’ organization. Starting with AA Pensacola then moving back up to AAA Jacksonville, Johnston slashed .307/.399/.549 across both levels. With 26 home runs and 24 stolen bases, he was the first Marlins player to record a 20-20 season of this caliber since 2008.

At the final home game of the season during which he was presented with his Player of the Year award, Johnston stayed committed to a future with Miami.

Explaining the reason why Johnston wasn’t protected at the November 14 deadline, new Marlins President of Baseball Operations Peter Bendix stated that 40-man roster decisions weren’t easy to make, but those spots are “finite.” Meanwhile, Bendix felt comfortable claiming marginal relievers Ryan Jensen and Kaleb Ort off waivers in recent weeks and standing pat with prospects who have underwhelmed at the plate.

Fortunately, Johnston stays put despite the advancements he's made and performing like a top-30 player in all of Minor League Baseball in 2023 by many metrics.

Josh Bell will be the Marlins' 2024 starter at first base. Retaining Johnston gives them a clear-cut option to man the position behind him. At the very latest, Johnston could earn regular playing time in 2025 if Bell changes teams in free agency next winter.

The Marlins made five selections during the minor league phase of the Rule 5:

• OF Yeral Martinez (New York Mets)
• OF Marty Costes (Houston Astros)
• IF Sean Roby (San Francisco Giants)
• LHP Adam Laskey (Chicago Cubs)
• RHP Julio Dilone (Seattle Mariners)

None of their own players were selected in the minor league phase.

Photo courtesy of Pensacola Blue Wahoos