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Pirates Prospect Watch: Breaking Down Termarr Johnson’s First Year Of Pro Ball

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Pittsburgh Pirates, Pirates Prospects, Termarr Johnson

Back in July, the Pittsburgh Pirates made infielder Termarr Johnson the fourth overall pick in the 2022 MLB draft.

The 18-year-old from Georgia was considered the top pure hitter available in this year’s draft class and was said to be the top prep hitter available in at least a decade.

The Bucs signed Johnson for $7,219,000, about $200K over the slot value attached to the fourth pick.

After his signing became official, Johnson appeared with the FCL Pirates before finishing the year with Single-A Bradenton. With Bradenton’s season coming to an end, here’s how the latest Pirates’ first-rounder performed this season:

Johnson’s professional career didn’t necessarily get off to the best star stats-wise. In nine games with the FCL Pirates, he was just 3 for 23 (.130) with two doubles and two steals.

Nevertheless, Johnson did enough to make the Pirates want to see more as they promoted him to the Low-A Bradenton Marauders.

In the Florida State league, he was able to find his groove.

In 14 games with the Marauders, Johnson slashed .275/.396/.450 with four doubles, a home run, six RBIs and four stolen bases.

His strikeout rate of 24.5% may have been a couple ticks higher than some would prefer, but nothing too concerning. Plus, his walk rate of 18.9% more than offset that, and he displayed a keen eye at the plate.

Johnson’s smooth left-handed swing looked impressive and advanced for his ripe age. His swing generates power and Johnson hit the ball hard quite often, registering exit velocities of well over 100 mph on multiple occasions.

When MLB commissioner Rob Manfred announced the selection at the draft, Johnson was announced as a shortstop, though many expect Johnson to wind up at second base long-term.

Johnson appeared in 15 games at second and five games at shortstop. Johnson had a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage at short and he committed one error in 54 chances at second.

He displayed enough at the plate, on the bases and in the field to give the Pirates another high-end prospect in their system.

According to MLB Pipeline, Johnson is rated as the Bucs’ No. 2 prospect behind 2021 first-overall selection Henry Davis. In the Top 100, Johnson checks in as the No. 30 prospect.

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