On Monday August 11, 2025, San Francisco Giants insider Susan Slusser reported former Giants outfielder Daniel Johnson was claimed off waivers by the Baltimore Orioles.
The speedy outfielder was designated for assignment to make room on the 40-man roster for rookie right fielder and Giants top prospect Drew Gilbert, who made his MLB debut on Friday August 8, 2025.
It will be a second stint in the Orioles organization for Johnson, 30. He spent all of 2024 with Baltimore’s AAA affiliate, the Norfolk Tides. He hit .259 with 21 home runs, 76 RBI and 17 stolen bases in 118 games for the Tides last season.
Johnson has also spent time with the Washington Nationals, Cleveland Guardians, New York Mets and San Diego Padres organizations in the past.
Giants fans will undoubtedly be sad to see Johnson, a Vallejo native, go. Many were hoping he could clear waivers and stay with the Giants organization in AAA Sacramento.
Revisiting Johnson’s Tenure in San Francisco
Despite his raw tools and good production at AAA last season, Daniel Johnson opened the 2025 baseball season without a home.
About a month into the season, on May 2, 2025, the Giants signed him and assigned him to AAA Sacramento.
He picked up right where he left off in Sacramento this season, hitting .278 with 9 home runs, 32 RBI and 7 stolen bases in 48 games.
He also had some fun moments at the big league level, including 2 hits, 2 runs scored and a great outfield catch in his season debut on June 4 versus the San Diego Padres. He also had a clutch home run on June 15 against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
But he just couldn’t consistently produce. In 14 games, he got only 5 hits for a .172 batting average.
That’s become something of a trend for Johnson, who has a .193 overall batting average in 50 games. Despite being a great AAA player, he just hasn’t been able to consistently hit MLB pitching yet.
But maybe he just needs a consistent opportunity. Hopefully he gets that in Baltimore!
The State of the Giants Outfield
The shuffle continues as the Giants try to figure out who can be the everyday right fielder alongside Heliot Ramos in left field and Jung Hoo Lee in center.
They dealt away Mike Yastrzemski, a good defender but a typically average hitter at best, to the Kansas City Royals. That opened the revolving door of prospects to see who can prove themself.
Johnson’s departure makes things a little less crowded. The Giants are currently auditioning Gilbert and Grant McCray at the MLB level. At AAA Sacramento they have Hunter Bishop, Marco Luciano, Luis Matos and Wade Meckler.
Luciano, Matos and Meckler have all gotten previous MLB time at different points. Former top prospect Bishop still awaits his first chance in the big leagues.
If none of those players pan out, the Giants currently have Bo Davidson and Dakota Jordan tearing up the lower minor leagues at the plate.
Right now, the Giants seem to be giving Gilbert an extended look, given that he has played in three straight games since being called up. He is still searching for his first MLB hit.
Giants fans, are you sad to see Daniel Johnson go? Who do you think will eventually establish themself as the right fielder of the future for the Giants.
