ALLENTOWN, Pa. — As the clock struck 6 p.m. on July 30, Seth Johnson thought he was safe from the whirlwind of trades that often characterize the MLB deadline. Johnson, who had been anxiously awaiting the outcome of potential trade talks while inside the clubhouse of the Baltimore Orioles’ Double-A team in Bowie, Md., assumed that the deadline had passed and he would remain with the Orioles.
However, the calm was short-lived. Just after 6 p.m., Johnson received a call from Matt Blood, the Orioles’ vice president of player development and scouting. The Orioles had executed a last-minute trade with the Philadelphia Phillies, sending reliever Gregory Soto to Baltimore in exchange for Johnson and another pitching prospect, Moisés Chace. With that call, Johnson’s path led him to the Phillies organization.
Reflecting on his transition, Johnson described the experience as “chaotic, but good.” He shared his sentiments at Coca-Cola Park, home of the Triple-A Lehigh Valley IronPigs, where he is currently based. “I’m starting to get my feet under me, especially being in the same spot for more than a week. It’s been good,” he noted.
The trade brought Johnson and Chace to Philadelphia, with Johnson being initially assigned to Double-A Reading. After two starts there, he was promoted to Triple-A for the first time on August 15. Settling into his new team amidst the upheaval of a trade, Johnson has managed to adapt and perform well.
In his short time with the IronPigs, Johnson has excelled, posting an impressive 0.56 ERA over three starts. He has allowed just one run in 16 innings, including a standout performance where he threw six scoreless innings against Syracuse. At 25 years old, Johnson is pleased to finally reach Triple-A and is finding success there.
Johnson’s journey to the Phillies system has been anything but typical. Drafted 40th overall by the Tampa Bay Rays in 2019, his career has faced numerous twists. He was traded twice within two years and underwent Tommy John surgery, which added further challenges to his career trajectory.
Johnson’s trade from Tampa Bay to Baltimore came just days before he was scheduled to undergo the surgery. The trade was part of a larger deal involving Jose Siri and Trey Mancini, and Johnson saw it as an opportunity for a fresh start with the Orioles. During his rehabilitation, he aimed to “rebuild” his pitching prowess.
In 2023, Johnson made a modest return with 10 ⅓ innings spread over five minor-league appearances. This year has been his first full season since the surgery, and he has carried over his improved performance to the Phillies’ farm system. The Phillies have been pleased with his results and his approach to the game.
Seth Johnson strikes out Bobby Dalbec to finish off his second clean inning in his AAA debut with Lehigh Valley … Sitting 95-97 early pic.twitter.com/mWgNip13Te
— Mitch Rupert (@Mitch_Rupert) August 16, 2024
IronPigs manager Anthony Contreras has praised Johnson for his professionalism and work ethic. Contreras acknowledges the challenges Johnson has faced, including injuries and frequent team changes. He believes these experiences have given Johnson a unique perspective that may benefit him in navigating the highs and lows of a baseball career.
“Going through all those different transitions, getting traded, doing all that stuff, it adds some callous to the brain, to the body,” Contreras remarked. He is optimistic about Johnson’s future, noting that despite his young age, he could develop into a strong starting pitcher over the next few years.
While Johnson’s immediate future with the Phillies might not include a major league call-up this season, he could become a significant asset for the team in the near future. With 88 ⅔ innings pitched across 23 starts in 2024, he is on track to surpass his previous career high of 93 ⅔ innings from 2021. Johnson’s goal for the remainder of the season is straightforward: to “finish strong and stay healthy.” He has found a routine that works for him and intends to maintain it.
Contreras believes Johnson’s disciplined approach to his career will continue to yield positive results. “To a tee, he takes care of himself,” Contreras said. “Guys that do that get rewarded on the field. And up to this point with us, he’s been pretty good.” This assessment sets a promising tone for Johnson’s ongoing development with the Phillies.