Tempstaff Transaction: Preston Johnson’s Next Chapter Begins as a Member of the Minnesota Twins
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FLORENCE, Ky. (May 14, 2026) - Following a dominant 10-strikeout performance on Wednesday night, Mississippi Mud Monsters pitcher Preston Johnson has had his contract purchased by the Minnesota Twins organization.
Monster Notes
A Mississippi arm, a dominant start and a new opportunity in affiliated baseball.
- Preston Johnson becomes the third player in franchise history to have his contract purchased by a Major League organization.
- Johnson joins Zack Morris and Michael Fowler as Mud Monsters players purchased by MLB organizations.
- Through two starts with Mississippi, Johnson struck out 18 batters across 11.0 innings pitched.
- The Crystal Springs native helped Mississippi State win the 2021 National Championship before being drafted by Baltimore in 2022.
Opening Day Starter
Johnson returned to Mississippi as the Mud Monsters’ Opening Day starter and made the most of his time close to home.
Next Chapter
Johnson is headed back to affiliated baseball with the Twins organization.
Johnson becomes the third player in franchise history to have his contract purchased by a Major League organization, joining Zack Morris (Rockies, 2025) and Michael Fowler (Brewers, 2025).
Through two starts with Mississippi, Johnson posted 11.0 innings pitched while allowing just one run on five hits and striking out 18 batters.
Farm Bureau Pitcher of the Week
Before the call came, Johnson was already stirring up the swamp with a dominant week on the mound.
Mississippi Roots
The right-hander’s road to the Twins runs through Crystal Springs, Hinds and Mississippi State.
From Crystal Springs to the next opportunity
The Crystal Springs, Mississippi native pitched at Hinds Community College before transferring to Mississippi State, where he helped lead the Bulldogs to the 2021 National Championship alongside current Mud Monsters outfielder Brayland Skinner.
Johnson was selected by the Baltimore Orioles in the 2022 MLB Draft and spent three seasons across five levels in the organization, reaching as high as Triple-A Norfolk during the 2025 season.
Opening Day Moment
Relive the night Johnson took the ball for the Mud Monsters in front of the Trustmark Park crowd.
Close to Home
Before the season, Johnson spoke about what pitching in Mississippi meant to him.
“I always dreamed of playing at Trustmark because it was so close to home,” Johnson said. “Being able to play in front of friends and family is a dream come true that’s made even more special because my wife and I just had twins two months ago.”
“Being close to them and my wife has been a blessing straight from The Lord.”
Now, with a new opportunity in affiliated baseball awaiting him, Johnson’s story comes full circle as he begins the next chapter of his professional career with the Twins organization.
The Mississippi Mud Monsters wish Preston and his family the best and cannot wait to see what the right-hander accomplishes next.
More on Preston Johnson
Follow Johnson’s path from Opening Day starter to his next opportunity in affiliated baseball.
About the Mississippi Mud Monsters
Baseball Lives Here. It Just Got a Little Weirder.
The Mississippi Mud Monsters are a professional baseball team based in Pearl, Mississippi, competing in the Frontier League. Built in the mud and rooted in Mississippi, the Mud Monsters believe baseball should be unapologetically fun, a little weird, wildly welcoming, and deeply tied to the place it calls home. Real baseball. Real people. This is swamp-built, Mississippi-made baseball, where the vibes matter just as much as the final score.