SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – In the high-stakes environment of Cactus League play, where every at-bat can determine an Opening Day roster spot, Rockies outfielder/first baseman Troy Johnston is focused on "controlling the controllables."
Coming off a 2023 campaign as the Marlins' Minor League Player of the Year, Johnston made his Major League debut in July 2025. After being claimed off waivers by Colorado in November, the 28-year-old left-hander is now fighting for a place in a Rockies clubhouse looking to redefine itself after a 119-loss season.
The Rockies entered camp with a wide-open competition at first base. Johnston is vying for a spot against trade acquisition TJ Rumfield and versatile infielder Edouard Julien. While No. 2 prospect Charlie Condon (MLB Pipeline’s No. 70 overall) has been the buzz of camp, Johnston offers the versatility of a natural outfielder who has spent the last six seasons refining his craft at first base. That defensive comfort has allowed him to focus on his approach at the plate. After a quiet start to the spring, Johnston has found his rhythm, entering Thursday with a .324 average, a surge he attributes to his simplified mental game.
"My full mindset is, a lot of things are out of my hands," Johnston said. "What they decide to do with me is totally out of my control. So I’m going to try to be the best teammate I can."
That commitment was tested recently. Johnston was listed on the preliminary roster for Team Israel in the World Baseball Classic, but chose to stay in Scottsdale to prioritize his preparation with the Rockies.
"It didn't come as an easy decision," Johnston explained. "But this is my main priority here in Colorado... to try to win a job here first."
For Johnston, being a reliable presence in the clubhouse is as important as his performance on the field. This perspective is rooted in a realization he had while grinding through Triple-A: Fans often have a massive disconnect from the reality of the player experience.
To bridge that gap, he and co-host Scott Kornberg, broadcaster for the Marlins’ Triple-A affiliate, the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp, launched the "Turn 2 with Scott & Troy" podcast. The project pulls back the curtain on the "nitty-gritty" of the professional circuit, including the bizarre hurdles players face before their careers even begin. One favorite example involves Mariners pitcher Josh Simpson, who had to navigate the unique requirements of Columbia University.
"One of the final things you have to do before you graduate is to pass a swim test," Johnston said. "We get questions about it all the time... I talk to him, I talk to his wife, and they’re like, 'Oh, it’s not a big deal.' And coming from anybody else, they’re like, 'You have to pass a swim test to graduate college?'"
For Johnston, these quirks are the key to humanizing the players behind the stats. "I like to ask the questions that I think the fans are going to be like, 'Wow, I would have never thought about that,'" he said.
While Johnston enjoys pulling back the curtain for the fans, he is even more deliberate about closing it when he leaves the stadium. He is quick to point out that although baseball is an all-consuming lifestyle, it isn't his entire persona. When he walks through his front door, he isn't a ballplayer fighting for a roster spot; he is just a dad.
"My daughter doesn't care yet if you're a good baseball player," Johnston said. "She just wants you to be there as a dad, to throw the ball to her and hang out. Realistically, they keep me so centered."
That sense of balance is anchored by his wife, whom he calls the "general manager" of his life, handling the logistics and constant movement of the Major Leagues.
"She handles things that you wouldn't even think about," Johnston said. "She is just an absolute stud, rock star."
For Johnston, this support system allows him to stay focused on the field, regardless of the box score.
"They don't care if I do good or bad," he said. "They're just here because they support me and they love me."
With that foundation at home, the pressure of the roster bubble feels a little less heavy. As the Rockies enter the final two weeks of Spring Training, Johnston remains focused on the one thing he can control: staying ready.
"Some people say the best ability is availability," Johnston said. "So I feel healthy, body feels good, mind feels good, and I'm trying to win a job."