Pirates Farm System

Termarr Johnson, Bubba Chandler Appear at All-Star Futures Game

Published

6 months ago

July 14, 2024

Pirates’ No. 1 and No. 2 prospects Bubba Chandler and Termarr Johnson appeared in the 2024 All-Star Futures Game on Saturday, each contributing to a 6-1 win for the National League.

Johnson, the Pirates’ 2022 first overall pick and MLB Pipeline’s No. 76 prospect, started the game at second base and batted third, far from a given with a stacked lineup to choose from. He grounded out on the first pitch he saw during his first at-bat, then roped a leadoff single the opposite way his second time up. Johnson helped spark a three-run inning with that at-bat, coming around to score on a bases loaded walk.

Bubba Chandler, the Pirates’ top prospect (who clocks in at No. 51 on MLB Pipeline’s leaguewide list) entered in the seventh inning to close out the game. He induced a groundout from 2021 fourth overall pick Marcelo Mayer to begin the inning, drawing weak contact with a heater low in the zone.

The next batter Chandler faced hit a double off an elevated fastball, but the former two-way player still managed to work a scoreless inning, striking out Royals’ prospect Gavin Cross on a sharp-breaking slider, then he jammed Rays’ prospect Xavier Isaac with a fastball on the inside corner, sealing the deal with another groundball out.

Skills Showcase

The All-Star festivities continued for Termarr Johnson after the Futures Game, as he also participated in the inaugural Futures Skills Showcase, played on Saturday but aired Sunday at 10 a.m. EDT as part of a delayed release. The skills showcase featured a home run derby style “Swing For The Fences” competition as well as the “Hit It Here” and “Call Your Shot” minigames, which prioritize hitters’ ability to place hits with precision on their pull side and to the opposite field, as well as dropping bunts.

Johnson excelled in the rounds which put a premium on accuracy, leading the pack on the way into the “Swing For The Fences” finale. His luck ran out there, as Red Sox’ prospect Roman Anthony went on to win the competition.