A fourth-round pick in 2002, Josh Johnson was a physically imposing right-hander who looked every bit the part of a future staff anchor. While he arrived just after the franchise's 2003 championship peak, he represented a localized shift toward a homegrown rotation.

In 2006, he demonstrated a high-frequency ability to keep hitters off-balance, finishing fourth in the Rookie of the Year voting on the strength of a 12-7 record and a 3.10 ERA. However, the trajectory of his career hit a localized snag almost immediately; injuries and Tommy John surgery restricted him to just 18 games over the following two seasons. He remained a resilient worker, returning to full strength in 2009 to win 15 games and earn his first All-Star selection as the definitive leader of the staff.

In 2010, Johnson led the circuit with a 2.30 ERA and a 2.41 FIP. He earned his second consecutive All-Star nod and finished fifth in the Cy Young voting, proving that his blend of a mid-90s fastball and a sharp slider could overwhelm any lineup. This run of dominance turned him into a premier superstar, providing a high-quality floor for a team that was beginning to rebrand for a new era in Little Havana.

While a 2011 season that began with historic promise was cut short by back issues, he remained a professional mainstay through 2012, providing the Marlins with one final high-volume season before the business of the sport took over.  He was traded to the Toronto Blue Jays as part of a massive 12-player transaction, leaving the Marlins with 915 strikeouts and a 3.15 career ERA with a 56-37 record.