Welcome to Episode No. 9 of the Curly W Live Podcast. On this episode, we were joined by Washington's Minor League Player of the Year Daniel Johnson and Minor League pitching coach Michael Tejera. Both Daniel and Michael are coming off successful 2017 seasons, capped off by their participation in the 2017 Arizona Fall League.
Johnson enjoyed a breakout season in 2017, hitting .298 with 29 doubles, four triples, 22 home runs, 72 RBI, 35 walks, 22 stolen bases and 83 runs scored in 130 games between Single-A Hagerstown and Single-A Potomac. Johnson ranked among Washington Nationals farmhands in home runs (3rd, 22), RBI (5th, 72) and stolen bases (4th, 22). Among full-season players, Johnson's .298 batting average was good for third in Washington's system. His .505 slugging percentage was good for eighth among all Single-A players, combined, and his .861 OPS was 10th.
We chatted with Daniel about his breakout 2017 season, his Fall League experience, and what he is doing to get ready for 2018. Tejera spent the previous seven seasons as pitching coach of the GCL Nationals. In 2018, he will embark on his first season with Double-A Harrisburg -- his eighth season in Washington's system.
We talked to Michael about his AFL experience, some of his coaching philosophies, what he will do to prepare for Double-A and even got into the life of a pitching coach in the offseason.
Here it is: Episode No. 9 of the Curly W Live Podcast. Enjoy!