Mar 28, 2014; Birmingham, Al, USA; Chicago White Sox second baseman Micah Johnson (83) turns a double play as Birmingham Barons short stop Jaime Pedroza (3) slides at Regions Field. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports
Micah Johnson has been ruled out for the final week and a half of the year, according to Doug Padilla of ESPN and other sources. The 23-year-old 2nd baseman suffered a strained hamstring, and now the White Sox will be without one of their top prospects for the rest of their regular season as well.
Johnson was called up from AA to AAA earlier in the year, and he’s proved his worth at every level. Considered the next guy to take over at second base, Micah finished his year with AAA with a .275/.314/.370 slash line in 65 games. Between AA and AAA, he finished with a .294 batting average, 5 HR, 44 RBI, and 22 steals. The 22 steals is a lot less compared to the combined 84 he had a year ago, but he’s still one of the fastest guys in the minors.
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While Johnson was almost a certainty to take Gordon Beckham‘s spot at 2nd base this September, I’d imagine the plan doesn’t change going into the 2015 season. For the remainder of the year, some potential guys to man 2nd base besides Beckham will be Marcus Semien and Carlos Sanchez, two young guys from Charlotte that will more than likely be here in September.
Though the move is just precautionary, there really is no reason to rush the young prospect’s development. A strained hamstring is something that should be healed within a few weeks, but shutting Johnson down will give him plenty of time to prepare this offseason to be ready to play 2nd in Chicago.
Can’t wait to see what you can do in 2015, Micah!