Bryce Johnson had always been able to hit left-handed, though it was mostly just for fun at the urging of his dad. This changed during his sophomore year at Sam Houston State when head coach Matt Deggs noticed his left-handed swing in the indoor cage.
Encouraged by Deggs, Johnson dedicated himself to switch-hitting, spending the entire fall season refining his left-handed technique. This effort paid off as Johnson hit .350/.453/.434 that year, catching the attention of the Giants who drafted him in the sixth round in 2017. After several years in their organization, he signed with the Padres in 2023 as a minor league free agent.
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Johnson’s versatility was evident in Triple-A El Paso where he boasted a .301/.430/.461 batting line with three home runs and 18 steals in 61 games. His contract was recently selected by the Padres to cover for Fernando Tatis Jr.’s injury, emphasizing Johnson’s commitment to contributing to the team’s success without trying to replace their star player.
In his Padres debut, Johnson went 0-for-3 but remains focused on his role, emphasizing his speed and on-base skills as priorities. He’ll continue to play right field and bat ninth in the lineup against the Nationals, with MacKenzie Gore pitching for Washington.
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Formerly a Padres prospect, Gore has shown strong strikeout numbers this season despite recent challenges, facing off against Padres’ right-hander Adam Mazur in the game.
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