Daniel Johnson proud to be part of a prolific run of MLB talent drafted out of New Mexico State

The beard isn’t graying, and the body is far from failing him.

But Daniel Johnson, on Wednesday afternoon after batting practice with his Sacramento River Cats teammates who are playing a six-game series against the Albuquerque Isotopes, felt a bit like an old man.

Relatively speaking, anyway.

The 30-year-old outfielder in the San Francisco Giants organization was being peppered with question after question about a time long, long ago: 2016 — when he was drafted out of New Mexico State University, starting a trend of one of the most prolific runs of talent to ever run through Presley Askew Field under the guidance of head coach, and Aggie alumni, Brian Green.

“It’s dope to see,” Johnson admitted of the run of NMSU players who have been getting professional baseball opportunities in the past decade. “Obviously, I was one of the first ones (in that group) to kind of initiate that process, but to see how it’s elevated each year with more and more guys getting drafted, it’s dope to see. That’s what we want.”

While Green did inherit outfielder Quinnton Mack on his 2015 Aggies squad — Mack was drafted in the 35th round by the Arizona Diamondbacks — it was Johnson in 2016, going in the fifth round to the Washington Nationals that really set afire the run of crimson in the MLB Draft, which culminated in 2020’s first round pick of current Pittsburgh Pirates star short stop Nick Gonzales.

Between 2016-2020, eight Aggies players were drafted, including five in the top six rounds and four who have played in the Major Leagues this season.

“I am the old man. I’m the grandpa ... (who) kind of started it, man,” Johnson said with a grin. “Like I said, it’s great to see all of them elevating. My year, it was me. It was (pitchers) Tyler Erwin, (and Joe Galindo). Then the next year, and the next ... People getting drafted constantly after that. It’s so cool to see because we were under a good coaching staff.”

According to BaseballReference.com, NMSU has had six players drafted in the top six rounds all time. Five of those, starting with Johnson in 2016, were players connected to Green, who currently coaches at Wichita State after a stint at Washington State.

The other Aggie drafted in the top six rounds is Luke Hopkins, a St. Pius graduate who runs Lumberyard Elite Hitting in Albuquerque and was drafted in the 5th round in 2006 by the Toronto Blue Jays.

But Hopkins’ pro career was cut short by injury, and never have there been four Aggies in the Big Leagues at the same time, although Johnson is still biding his time until he gets called back to the Giants.

Johnson played 14 MLB games this season with the Giants and has played in parts of four seasons with three MLB teams in his career — one that is far from over.

“It’s just about the repetitions and honestly just play my game,” Johnson said about his focus while with the River Cats. He says he’s not trying to do something new to impress the decision makers with the Giants, but rather trusting that getting his game right is enough.

His efforts are hardly being overlooked.

“I think right now it’s just about an opportunity opening up,” said New Mexico native Robert Riggins, the River Cats’ assistant hitting coach who is also making a Land of Enchantment homecoming this week at Isotopes Park. “He’s got a ton of tools. He’s got speed, he’s got an arm, plays the outfield well. He’s got a ton of pop. For him, the right opportunity just needs to present itself. ...

“He’s a great clubhouse guy. ... He’s a professional. He conducts himself how you would expect a professional to do it.”

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NMSU Aggies drafted from 2016-2020

Currently on MLB 40-man rosters

• OF Johnson, 2016 draft (5th round, Washington Nationals), currently on the San Francisco Giants’ 40-man roster and playing with Triple-A Sacramento River Cats

• RHP Kyle Bradish, 2018 draft (4th round, Los Angeles Angels), currently with Baltimore Orioles

• SS Joey Ortiz, 2019 draft (4th round, Baltimore Orioles), currently with Milwaukee Brewers

• SS Nick Gonzales, 2020 draft (1st round, Pittsburgh Pirates), currently with the Pirates

Drafted but have not made MLB debuts

• RHP Joe Galindo, 2016 draft (13th round, San Diego poadres

• LHP Tyler Erwin, 2016 draft (23rd round, Baltimore Orioles

• RHP Marcel Renteria, 2017 draft (6th round, New York Mets)

• P Andrew Edwards, 2019 draft (31st round, New York Mets)