Scouting Report

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Scouting grades: Hit: 55 | Power: 50 | Run: 50 | Arm: 55 | Field: 50 | Overall: 50 

Because he's an Alabama high school shortstop with a bigger frame than most at his position, Johnson gets compared to Gunnar Henderson. The 2023 American League Rookie of the Year was more athletic as a prepster, but Johnson has similar offensive upside at the same stage. He had an up-and-down summer, homering twice at the PDP League and starring at East Coast Pro, but scuffling at other events and with the U.S. 18-and-under team.

Johnson is a mature hitter with a willingness to use the entire field, though some evaluators worry about the bat wrap in his left-handed swing. He doesn't have any trouble handling velocity, but he needs to do a better job of staying back on offspeed pitches. Most of his present power goes to his pull side, but as he gets stronger, his pop should play to all fields and he could provide 20 homers per year.

Johnson can flash slightly above-average speed but figures to slow down a bit as he matures physically. Though the Alabama recruit has good hands and actions at shortstop, he likely will lack the range and quickness to stay there in the long term. He projects more as an offensive second baseman, and his solid arm strength also would enable him to handle third base.

Scouting grades: Hit: 45 | Power: 40 | Run: 50 | Arm: 55 | Field: 50 | Overall: 40

After saving $1.3 million in bonus pool with 2024 first-round pick PJ Morlando, whom they coveted, the Marlins used most of that cash to sign Johnson in the second round for a well-over-slot $2.8 million. The latter garnered some comparisons to fellow Alabama prep shortstop Gunnar Henderson, though the 2023 American League Rookie of the Year had more athleticism and power potential at the same stage of their careers. The game sped up a bit on Johnson in his pro debut, when he batted .221 with a 33 percent strikeout rate and made nine errors in 24 games as one of the youngest players (age 18) in the Single-A Florida State League.

Johnson earned a reputation as one of the better hitters in the 2024 prep class by making consistent contact to all fields with a controlled left-handed swing and advanced approach. He didn't look like himself in the FSL, chasing pitches out of the zone much more than normal and struggling with non-fastballs. He doesn't stand out in terms of bat speed, present strength or exit velocities, but his hitting ability could translate into 15 or more homers annually once he matures physically.

Though he'll flash slightly above-average speed, Johnson probably will slow down a bit as he gets stronger, and he isn't adventurous on the bases. He has smooth actions, reliable hands and a solid arm at shortstop but may not have the quickness or range to stay there. He'll return to the FSL in 2025 on the same team with gifted defenders Starlyn Caba and Andrew Salas, so he'll also see action at second and possibly third base.

Scouting grades: Hit: 55 | Power: 50 | Run: 50 | Arm: 55 | Field: 50 | Overall: 50

As an Alabama high school shortstop with a bigger frame than most at his position, Johnson elicited some comparisons to Gunnar Henderson. Though the 2023 American League Rookie of the Year was more athletic as a prepster, Johnson has similar offensive upside at the same stage. He signed for a well-over-slot $2.8 million as a second-rounder in July.

Johnson is a mature hitter with a willingness to use the entire field, though some evaluators worry about the bat wrap in his left-handed swing. He doesn't have any trouble handling velocity but needs to do a better job of staying back on offspeed pitches. Most of his present power goes to his pull side, but as he gets stronger, his pop should play to all fields and he could provide 20 homers per year.

Johnson can flash slightly above-average speed but figures to slow down a bit as he matures physically. Though he has good hands and actions at shortstop, he likely will lack the range and quickness to stay there in the long-term. He projects more as an offensive second baseman, and his solid arm strength also would enable him to handle third base.

Transactions

Team	Date	Transaction
	03/23/2025	SS Carter Johnson assigned to Miami Marlins.
	03/06/2025	activated SS Carter Johnson.
	08/02/2024	Jupiter Hammerheads activated SS Carter Johnson.
	08/02/2024	SS Carter Johnson assigned to Jupiter Hammerheads.
	07/22/2024	Miami Marlins signed SS Carter Johnson.
	06/16/2024	College Workout activated SS Carter Johnson.
	05/15/2024	SS Carter Johnson assigned to College Workout.
	09/13/2023	SS Carter Johnson assigned to High School Workout.
	08/09/2023	SS Carter Johnson assigned to High School Workout.