AA St. Paul Saints

Experience for Youth, Saints Trade Former Major Leaguer Dan Johnson to Lincoln for Rookie First Baseman Nathaniel Maggio

July 13, 2018 - American Association (AA)
St. Paul Saints News Release


KANSAS CITY, KS - The St. Paul Saints last trade, just a few days ago, netted them a former Major Leaguer. On Friday they parted with one, trading first baseman/pitcher Dan Johnson to the Lincoln Saltdogs in exchange for rookie first baseman, left-hand hitting Nathaniel Maggio.

The 23-year-old Maggio has had a solid season hitting .257 with two home runs and 15 RBI in 47 games. In 179 at bats he scored 19 runs, ripped 13 doubles, a .317 on base percentage, and a .363 slugging percentage. His season has been highlighted by four consecutive multi-hit games from May 31-June 2 against Winnipeg and Sioux Falls, both division foes of the Saints. He has five, three-hit games and a total of 12 multi-hit games. He doubled in three-straight from June 13-15.

Maggio began his professional career in 2017 with the Lincoln Saltdogs when he was signed as a free agent on July 4 out of North Greenville University. He hit .288 with seven home runs and 35 RBI in 49 games. In 177 at bats he scored 19 runs, smacked 11 doubles, one triple, had a .352 on base percentage, and a .480 slugging percentage. Maggio homered in back-to-back games on August 19 at Sioux City and August 21 vs. Gary SouthShore. He had two separate four RBI games on August 3 vs. Kansas City and August 28 at Fargo-Moorhead.

Out of Blessed Trinity Catholic High in Georgia, Maggio was the second rated first baseman and the 15th best prospect in the state by Perfect Game. Overall, he was rated the 11th best first baseman and 280th best player in the nation. He began his college career at the University of Tennessee and was there in 2014 and 2015. He then transferred to North Greenville University and broke the single-season home run record in 2016 when he hit 17 (the previous record was 11). He hit .324 with 17 home runs and 49 RBI in 48 games as a junior. During his senior season he hit .295 with nine home runs and 45 RBI in 53 games.

Maggio was drafted by the Seattle Mariners in the 32nd round of the First Year Player Draft out of Blessed Trinity Catholic, but did not sign.

The 37-year-old Johnson had played in six games and was 3-19 with three RBI in six games. Johnson was on the disabled list at the time of the trade.

The Saints roster stands at the league maximum 23, 11 pitchers and 12 position players.

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