Pirates AFL Updates: Curtis Has Strong Start, Johnson Sharpens Best Tool

Danny Demilio |

Oct 29, 2024

Pittsburgh Pirates second baseman Termarr Johnson bats during the seventh inning of a spring training baseball game against the Detroit Tigers Saturday, March 9, 2024, in Lakeland, Fla. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

Pittsburgh Pirates pitching prospect Khristian Curtis made his second start of the Arizona Fall League for the Scottsdale Scorpions on Monday and threw a gem.

The right-hander threw four-shutout innings and allowed just one hit while walking one and striking out a pair of batters. He was extremely efficient, needing just 47 pitches to get through his outing.

It hasn’t been smooth sailing in the AFL for Curtis, the Pirates’ 12th-round pick in the 2023 draft. Through his first four appearances, he’s 1-1 with a 6.97 ERA with seven walks and seven strikeouts in 10.1 innings. His latest outing serves as an encouraging performance, however, as he looks to get on track.

Top prospect Termarr Johnson again found himself atop Scottdale’s lineup. Though he finished without a hit, the 2022 first-rounder drew a pair of walks, pushing his on-base percentage to .438. Johnson is tied for fifth with 11 walks in the AFL and ranks fifth with a 22.9% walk rate.

Outfielder Sammy Siani went 1 for 4 and drove in the Scorpions’ lone run of the game on a fielder’s choice in the bottom of the ninth. Siani ranks third on the team with a .395 batting average through his first 11 games.

Despite outhitting the Salt River Rafters, the Scorpions (5-12) were defeated 3-1. They’ll look to get back on track against the Peoria Javelinas on Tuesday evening.