San Francisco Chronicle - (Sunday)
Hitting his way off the island
Encinal prospect Johnson looks up to cousin, former MVP Rollins
Beyond being a slick fielder, superb hitter and fleet of foot, Osiris Johnson is a evidently a pretty good mimic.
The 6-foot-1, 195-pound Encinal-Alameda senior shortstop did a remarkable job this season of imitating his mentor, second cousin and former National League MVP Jimmy Rollins.
In 26 games, Johnson hit .535 with 46 hits, 15 doubles, two triples and six home runs. He also stole 16 bases in 17 attempts, scored 30 runs and drove in 24 for the Jets (19-8-1).
Earlier this month he was selected in the second round of the MLB draft (53rd overall) by the Miami Marlins. Rollins, an Encinal alum, was taken in the second round (46th overall) in 1996 by the Phillies.
In recognition of his spectacular season, Johnson is The Chronicle’s 2018 Metro Player of the Year.
He capped his four-year career with his best season, though his junior campaign (.481, 38 hits, 27 hits, 20 stolen bases) was pretty good also.
“He’s a pure baseball talent,” said Encinal coach Jim Saunders, who retired after this, his 28th season. “Every single year he got better. By his senior year he was making the big play on a shot deep in the hole or a slow roller with a bare hand.
“He runs like a deer. He’s got a great glove and a big-time arm. And God gifted him with an incredible body.”
Johnson, whose father, Marcel, was a 22nd-round draft pick out of Fremont-Oakland by the Mets in 1989, had been projected as a third-round pick. But Saunders maintained for most of the season that he’d go in the first two rounds, just like Rollins, who worked heavily on fundamentals with his second cousin before the season.
It evidently helped. The Marlins — for whom another Encinal alum, pitcher Dontrelle Willis, played for five seasons (2003-07) — were impressed with Johnson’s bat speed and considerable overall improvement.
They also liked that fact that Rollins was a mentor to Johnson.
“I think it’s always good to have somebody in the family that’s been through those type of experiences to advise a player,” Marlins vice president of scouting Gary Denbo told reporters the night of the draft. “It’s really important to have a support system for minorleague players that are coming through, because it’s a tough game.”
Johnson has yet to sign with the Marlins and has committed to Cal State Fullerton, but his draft slot is worth $1,318,500, according to mlb.com. At age 17 — he won’t turn 18 until October — Johnson was one of the youngest players drafted.
His biggest challenge will be to duplicate Rollins’ success at the major-league level. In addition to winning the 2007 NL MVP, Rollins was a three-time All-Star, won a World Series in 2008, was a four-time Gold Glove winner and was the 2014 recipient of the Roberto Clemente Award for sportsmanship and community involvement.
“They’re different, for sure, but in terms of making spectacular plays and carrying a team, they’re similar,” Saunders said during the season. “Jimmy was more of a leader and in control. Osiris is more on the quiet side. He’ll get there. He’s made giant strides as a teammate. His teammates really enjoy playing with him.
“I was lucky enough to coach both of them.”