Not quite Pirates’ playoff baseball, but a great snapshot of the future of Buctober.
The Pirates third highest ranking prospect, Termarr Johnson, has enjoyed a productive 2024 season. During the regular season he went from having a disappointing first half, to picking up momentum in the summer to turn in an impressive campaign between Greensboro and Altoona. That production earned him a spot on the Scottsdale Scorpions in the Arizona Fall League, where has been dominating as of late.
In seven games with the Scorpions so far this year, Johnson has come out the gate firing on all cylinders. Through those contests, Johnson is hitting .308/.486/.615 with an incredible 1.101 OPS. During that span he also has only struck out four times and has walked nine times, showing the maturation process of his approach to hitting. He’s been patient, he’s been selective, he’s shown better power, and he’s been making great consistent contact with eight hits with Scottsdale.
Termarr Johnson (@JohnsonTermarr), @MLB No. 75 prospect, smokes a triple into the right-center gap to give the Scorpions hope in the 9th, trailing by two.
Johnson ties Jett Williams (@MLB No. 52) for the team lead in triples (2). #AFL24 pic.twitter.com/kbNEkD9rje
— Nate Johnson (@njjohnson19) October 21, 2024
The aforementioned maturation at the plate has really been on display since June this season when Johnson completely flipped the switch on his season, and began showing why he was drafted by Pittsburgh with their top pick in 2022. The Arizona Fall League games have been an extension of this next step that he has taken in his development, as he has never looked better hitting the baseball.
Johnson ended the season with double-a Altoona, and currently has a Major League ETA slated for 2025. Moving forward the AFL will be another great proving ground for the 20-year old infielder, as he marches closer to playing in the big leagues.
Termarr Johnson @JohnsonTermarr lead off BOMB. Love. That. Swing. What else can you say #ProspectOne pic.twitter.com/tsezeApDLx
— The Welsh (@IsItTheWelsh) October 9, 2024
The Scorpions are set to take on the Salt River Rafters on Tuesday, where a lot of eyes will be on the Pirates top infield prospect.