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The Washington Nationals officially announced that Michael Johns has joined the coaching staff as the team’s new bench coach. The move, announced Monday by President of Baseball Operations Paul Toboni and Manager Blake Butera, adds another experienced voice to a young, evolving dugout.
Johns, 50, brings almost 20 years of coaching experience at both the minor and major league levels, most recently serving as the Tampa Bay Rays’ first base coach for the past two seasons (2024–25). Before that, he managed Triple-A Durham in 2023, guiding the Bulls to an 88–62 record and an appearance in the International League Championship Series.
Manager Blake Butera praised Johns for his approach, preparation, and alignment with the Nationals’ values. “Michael shares the same values that are important to me and to our organization,” Butera said in the team’s press release. “He’s humble, has an incredible work ethic, and his preparation and attention to detail are unmatched. He played a major role in building Tampa Bay’s player development system and brings valuable recent Major League experience. More than anything, I know he’ll do everything he can to help our players, staff and organization succeed.”
Johns is known throughout baseball for his hands-on work in player development. He served as Tampa Bay’s Minor League field coordinator from 2018 through 2022, overseeing instruction across all levels of the Rays’ system. During his tenure in that role, the Rays were widely regarded as one of the most efficient player development organizations in baseball.
Before becoming a coordinator, Johns gained a wealth of managerial experience throughout Tampa Bay’s system. He led Single-A Charlotte from 2015–17, steering the Stone Crabs to the franchise’s first Florida State League championship in 2015. Earlier, he managed Single-A Bowling Green in 2014, Single-A Hudson Valley in 2013, and Rookie-level Princeton from 2010–12. His coaching career began in 2008 as a member of the Hudson Valley staff.
Prior to his time in professional baseball, Johns coached at the high school level in Florida—serving as head coach at Orange Park High School (2004–07) and as an assistant at Fernandina Beach High School before that.
An infielder during his playing days, Johns was selected by the Colorado Rockies in the 19th round of the 1997 MLB Draft out of Tulane University. He spent parts of two seasons (1997–98) in the Rockies organization before playing independently for the Allentown Ambassadors in 1999.
With his blend of on-field experience, leadership, and developmental expertise, Johns joins a Nationals staff shaped around growth, discipline, and long-term success under Butera and Toboni. His addition signals another step in Washington’s renewed commitment to scouting, instruction, and player development across every level of the organization.