Pirates Prospect Watch: Termarr Johnson Records First Hit; Nunez Hits First Pirates’ Homer

Down in the FCL, Pittsburgh Pirates’ 2022 first-round selection Termarr Johnson recorded his first professional hit with a double to right field. Johnson finished the game 1 for 3.

Three of the Pirates’ top four affiliates picked up wins on Saturday, led by these standout performances.

Indianapolis Indians

RHP Mike Burrows

• Game: 4.1 innings, three hits, one earned run, two walks, six strikeouts
• Season: 1-3, 4.93 ERA, 34.2 innings, 34 strikeouts, nine walks, nine games/seven starts

INF Kevin Padlo

• Game: 3 for 5 with a double and an RBI
• Season: .533/.563/.867, two doubles, one home run, six RBIs, four games

Burrows pitched very effectively in a piggy-back situation in the Indians’ 6-1 victory over the Memphis Redbirds. Padlo continued his hot start to the Pirates’ organization with three more hits.

Diego Castilllo also recorded a three-hit game and a stolen base while Cal Mitchell slugged a two-run homer.

Altoona Curve

1B Malcom Nunez

• Game: 2 for 2 with a home run, two RBIs, a run and a walk
• Season: .286/.389/.500, one home run, three RBIs, one steal, four games

RHP Aaron Shortridge

• Game: 5.0 innings, four hits, one run (unearned), two walks, for strikeouts
• Season: 1-3, 6.75 ERA, 26.2 innings, 18 walks, 19 strikeouts, eight games/eight starts

Altoona took down the Binghamton Rumble Ponies thanks in part to Nunez’s first homer with the Pirates since being acquired from the Cardinals. Shortridge had his best start of the year with the Curve.

Francisco Alvarez recorded a pair of hits including a double, and  J.C. Flowers tossed three strong innings in relief.

Greensboro Grasshoppers

RHP Sean Sullivan

• Game: 4.0 innings, one hit, two runs (both unearned), two walks, seven strikeouts
• Season: 2-5, 4.56 ERA, 73 innings, 26 walks, 81 strikeouts, 19 games/14 starts

INF Dariel Lopez

• Game: 2 for 4
• Season: .294/.333/.500, 15 doubles, one triple, 19 home runs, six steals, 93 games

The Grasshoppers were blanked by the Jersey Shore BlueClaws 8-0, but Sullivan turned in a strong performance on the mound. Lopez led the offense with two hits.

Bradenton Marauders

C Wyatt Hendrie

• Game: 3 for 4 with an RBI and a run
• Season: .236/.332/.356, eight doubles, three triples, three home runs, 18 RBIs, three steals, 65 games

INF Tsung-Che Cheng

• Game: 2 for 4 with a double, an RBI, a run and a walk
• Season: .265/.360/.407, 19 doubles, six triples, four home runs, 41 RBIs, 23 steals, 81 games

Hendrie and Cheng led the way as Bradenton defeated the Palm Beach Cardinals 7-5. Jack Brannigan, a 2022 drafteee, hit his second homer of the season.