Former Mountaineer to Futures Game

Photo by Buren Foster/Charlotte Knights

Four years ago, Micah Johnson was in the midst of an All-Star season with the Vermont Mountaineers. Now, he sits on the verge of appearing in the Futures Game as one of Major League Baseball’s brightest prospects. Johnson, currently on the Charlotte Knights- the Triple-A affiliate of the Chicago White Sox- looked back on his summer in Vermont with and remembered a great experience.

“I loved the atmosphere at the games,” Johnson said. “We had a great team and we all hung out often.”

He went on to compare the NECBL season to the minor leagues, because you’re traveling frequently and playing every day. His All-Star season in Montpelier propelled him to the Cape Cod League in 2011 and he was selected in the 9th round of the 2012 draft by the White Sox.

Now, he is being honored again- this time on a national stage. The Futures Game is being held this Sunday at 5 p.m at Target Field, and will feature two teams made up of teams top prospects. Johnson, born in Indianapolis, Indiana will appear for the US team as they face off against the World Team.

“It’s a blessing and an amazing honor,” Johnson said of his selection. “God has given me this opportunity and I cannot wait to play in this game.”

In 2010, Johnson was a rising sophomore from Indiana who had excelled for the Hoosiers as a freshman. He hit .292 for the Mountaineers with 19 runs and 11 stolen bases and played in all but three of the 42-game Vermont season. The Mountaineers went 15-27 but featured several future stars.

Texas Ranger starter Nick Martinez was on the 2010 club, appearing as a middle infielder as did future minor leaguer Jantzen Witte (Boston Red Sox). However, Johnson hasn’t been able to keep up with either of them.

“You play with too many people,” Johnson said. “It’s hard to keep in touch.”

After leaving Vermont in 2010, he went on to play the 2011 summer on the Cape with the Cotuit Kettleers of the Cape Cod League. He suffered an elbow injury and hit just .212 on the season, and the injury concerns dropped him farther down in the eyes of Major League teams. He played just 24 games as a senior at Indiana and missed time after arthroscopic surgery,  hitting just .225. However, the White Sox took him in the ninth round and it paid off.

Johnson began his professional career with the Rookie league Great Falls and hit .375 with 19 stolen bases in 70 games. He entered the 2013 season as Chicago’s 25th ranked prospect, and promptly went out and led the minor leagues in stolen bases. Johnson stole 84 bases and moved up three levels, ending up in Double-A Birmingham. He hit .360 in Spring Training and currently sits in Triple-A Charlotte with a .287 mark through 37 games.

“I’m working hard every day,” Johnson said of his rapid ascent through the White Sox affiliates. “I don’t take any days off and I’m always improving offensively or defensively.”

His impressive minor league resume earned him a ranking as the No. 6 White Sox prospect  by Baseball America and a spot on the United States Futures roster. He joins some of the biggest names in Minor League Baseball- D.J Peterson (Mariners), Javier Baez (Cubs) and Kris Bryant (Cubs) among many others.

The US team has won the Futures Game for four straight years, as last year they downed the World team 4-2 behind a two-RBI day from Matt Davidson, who took home Most Valuable Player honors. Past players to win MVP in the game’s 15-year history has included MLB stars Jose Reyes, Aaron Hill and Billy Butler.

The game is taking place at Target Field, the home of the Twins. Johnson is the second Mountaineer to make the roster, joining 2006 pitcher Christian Friedrich. Friedrich is currently a starter for the Colorado Rockies. After the Futures Game on Sunday, the All-Star game will be held on Tuesday.