The Pittsburgh Pirates have an abundance of talent in their farm system. One that features prospects like pitcher Bubba Chandler and shortstop/outfielder Konnor Griffin.
There’s also pitchers Braxton Ashcraft and Thomas Harrington. Not a bad mix of talent at all, but the cream of the crop prospect is thought to be second baseman/shortstop Termarr Johnson.
Johnson is widely considered the best hitting prospect in the farm system and one of the best hitters in all of the minors.
Termarr Johnson Promoted To Double A
Johnson, who’s bat is his claim to fame, making him the No.4 overall pick in 2022, was promoted to Double-A Altoona on Sunday. Johnson excelled during his stint with High-A Greensboro, playing in 110 games this season. There he posted a solid .372 on-base percentage, 13 homers and 20 stolen bases, which led to his promotion up the ranks.
#Pirates 2022 first-rounder Termarr Johnson is Double-A bound, per @AlexJStumpf.
Termarr Johnson Had 12-Game Hitting Streak In July
Last month Johnson experienced the best hitting month of his young career. During July he had a 12-game hitting streak that saw him bat .415 with two homers, three doubles, and nine RBI over that stretch. For the month he batted a solid .300. He was also selected for last month’s Futures Game during All-Star Weekend and Johnson also participated in the Futures Skills Showcase.
Speaking with the media during the All-Star festivities, Johnson was asked about his future and how things were playing out for him two seasons into his career.
“It’s gonna happen in its divine timing. I’m not trying to control too much or even think I about it. Just making sure I do my part, and then when my time comes, I’m ready to do it.”
Sounds like that first big move is now, and if Johnson can perform at a high level in Double-A, a Triple-A call up awaits him.
— Pittsburgh Pirates Player Development Report (@PGHplayerDev) August 25, 2024
Johnson Is Expected To Make A 2025 MLB Arrival
The Pirates are hoping to get Johnson up to the majors by 2025, that’s the reason for the late season call up. While that’s definitely a possibility, team brass is also very interested in seeing him fully develop before bringing him up to Triple-A and eventually the majors. They know the skill set and maturity is there, and those are the two main reasons he was taken so high. He’s been cutting back on the K’s which is also a good sign.
But they also know the hardest jump is from High-A to Double-A, so patience will be vital for Johnson and team brass, who are currently basking in the success of how well they handled 2023 No.1 overall pick Paul Skenes. Skenes started in the All-Star Game and has the fifth-best odds to win the NL Cy Young Award.
Johnson who was taken with the fourth overall selection of the 2022 MLB Draft, was unbelievable in 2023 with a slash line of .244/.422/.438 with the Greensboro Grasshoppers on the High-A South Atlantic League.
He netted 18 homers, 59 RBI, 12 doubles and ten stolen bases with the club. As the 2024 season began Johnson was sent back to Greensboro, and expected to hit the road running.
Termarr Johnson Struggled Early On
That hasn’t been the case thus far as he’s struggled a bit at the plate batting .193 with a .684 OPS, but if the past couple of games are any indication he could be turning the corner.
Johnson Has Big Weekend
Following a surprising slow start at the plate, Johnson showed why he’s looked at as the best pure hitter in the minor league system over the weekend. In two games Johnson had five hits including two doubles and a homer.
It was welcome sight for Johnson and Pirates considering he’s had only three multi-hit games this season, and no more than three hits in a two-game span. For a hitter of Johnson’s caliber that’s usually all they need to get going.
The silver lining in Johnson’s early season struggles is he’s a young MLBbro who’s confident in his abilities. After winning the club’s Minor League Player of the Year Award in September, he told the Post Gazette this.
“I like to play baseball everyday of the week. This is my getaway. This is what I do. This is my life. I want to play baseball as long as they let me.”
“As far as my play goes, it was alright. But definitely need to get way better. Ten times more a player than I was this year.”
Hearing him talk like that lets you know an early season slump won’t bother him much. Hes been very confident and embracing of the odds ever since he was drafted.
Johnson’s Biggest Flex Is His Patience
Besides his hitting prowess the one thing that sets this young MLBbro apart from his peers is his patience and understanding that baseball is a grind.
“I never like to rush anything. I don’t like to rush at-bats. I don’t like to rush development. I don’t like to rush anything that gets me better every day.”
That doesn’t sound like a young player who’s gonna let some early seasons struggles at the plate affect him or his daily approach to getting better.
When it comes to Johnson he exudes old man values, and in his case one can truly say “patience is a virtue.”
There are some young MLBbros who are hoping for a breakout season.
The top five players on this list are specifically projected to have a break campaign, while establishing themselves as household names.
Age, draft position, and situation were considered when evaluating these athletes. Some have already played in the majors and proved themselves on huge stages, including postseason, but have only provided us with a small sample size. Others are ready to be consistent faces in the MLB dugout once called upon.
5. Taj Bradley P (Tampa Bay Rays)
Taj Bradley, a melanated mound marauder for the Tampa Bay Rays, is 22 years old and hoping to have a big season.
Bradley showed glimpses of brilliance as a rookie, jumping out to some early wins, before eventually finishing with a 5.59 ERA, 1.39 WHIP, and 23 home runs allowed in 104 2/3 innings. Bradley seemed to hit a rookie wall last year and with those trials and tribulations under his belt, he should be a force for the Rays.
Despite his final stats, Bradley had several strong outings, recording a 28% strikeout rate. He will be expected to hold down the fort as a consistent arm int he starting rotation.
The Diamondbacks 23-year-old outfielder Alek Thomas comes in at number four on the list. With his power, Thomas was taken in the second round and was able to intimidate opposing pitchers by driving in runs. He had a clutch home run and some key moments in the 2023 postseason.
Thomas hit four Bro bombs which helped charge Arizona’s unlikely trip to the World Series.
He has excellent outfield defensive skills, with an average career fielding percentage of .992.
During a “Take That” segment on MLBbro.com, Charles Nyonga discussed Thomas as a key member of the
Diamondbacks team. Thomas has all the qualities to be face of the franchise for years to come.
Lawrence Butler, an outfielder, is only 23 years old. The Oakland Athletics selected him in the sixth round of the 2018 draft. Following a season in which he hit four home runs with a batting average of 211.
Butler put in work over the off-season, and his current batting average of .421 this spring training is proof of that. When the season starts, keep an eye out for Butler.
2. Termarr Johnson INF (Pittsburgh Pirates)
Termarr Johnson, a 19-year-old who was the fourth pick in the 2022 draft, is No. 2 on the list. Johnson’s bat-to-ball skills and smooth lefty stroke make him a legitimate All-Star in the future.
On February 26, 2024, Johnson showed off his power by hitting two home runs for the Pirates against the Blue Jays. The sky is the limit for Johnson.
1. Jordan ‘Sky’ Walker OF/INF (St. Louis Cardinals)
The young, talented St. Louis Cardinals star Jordan Walker, who weighs 250 pounds and is 6 feet 5 inches tall, tops the list. He came out of the gate in his rookie season, breaking hitting records.
With his rare combination of athleticism and baseball IQ, the 21-year-old infielder turned outfielder has
been gaining notice.
He’s also well-known for his powerful bat and excellent fielding skills. The Cardinals’ lineup is more versatile because of his defense skills, particularly at third base.
Walker, who hit .276 with 16 homers and 51 RBI in 117 games as a rookie, has a smooth swing with power, but hits to contact.
He also has deceptive speed. With a package that reminds guys of MLBbro legend Dave Winfield, Walker has everything needed to establish himself as an All-Star.
The talent pool of up-and-coming MLBbros is as good as it’s been in quite some time, so choosing these five elite diamond miners wasn’t as easy.
James Wood, Washington Nationals, OF
The 6-foot-6 and 240-pound power hitting prospect ranks No.7 on MLB prospect rankings list. Wood enjoyed a very productive 2023 season with time split between Single-A Wilmington and Double-A Harrisburg.
Wood showed he’s much more than a power hitter, as he batted a solid .270 with a .536 slugging percentage and .899 OPS. His 26 homers were expected, but his 28 doubles and eight triples, 91 RBI and 65 walks are indicative of his potential as a pure hitter. A guy with refined hit tools who can also power surge, like St. Louis Cardinals phenomJordan Walker.
For his efforts the Nationals No.2 prospect was named the club’s Minor League Hitter of the Year.
Needs Improvement: Woods will need to cut down on the strikeouts (173). That’ll need to change prior to his expected call up sometime in 2024.
Termarr Johnson, Pittsburgh Pirates, 2B
Johnson was pretty electric during the 2023 season. Starring for Single-A Bradenton and High-A Greensboro, Johnson put together a quality season at the plate batting .244 with 18 homers and 59 RBI.
He also tallied 85 total hits and scored 83 runs. One of Johnson’s best traits is his plate discipline. He was able to draw 101 walks, which boosted his on-base percentage to .421. The Pirates have a budding difference-maker at second base.
Johnson’s expected arrival with the Pirates isn’t until 2025, but the anticipation and eagerness around the organization is growing daily. Big things are expected of the former No.4 overall pick. Johnson was named the Pirates Minor League Player of the Year.
During an in-season interview a reporter made reference to Johnson bulking up and getting stronger, the 19-year-old phenom responded with this.
“I’m glad you can see it. I don’t know how much it is, but it’s definitely a good bit.”
Needs Improvement:Much like Wood, Johnson must clean up the 120 strikeouts he posted.
Justin Crawford, Philadelphia Phillies, OF
Being the son of former MLB player Carl Crawford means the bloodline is there. And in 2023 Justin didn’t disappoint one bit. The budding Phillies outfield prospect showed why he was taken with the 17th pick of the 2022 MLB Draft.
The club’s No.3 ranked prospect and MLB’s 77th-ranked prospect batted a remarkable .344 in stops between Single-A Clearwater and High-A Jersey Shore. Crawford also drove in 64 runs and accumulated 47 stolen bases and 32 walks.
Not expected to be called until 2026, Crawford has all the tools to be get an earlier call up to the big leagues. When he was drafted Crawford told reporters this in his introductory interview: “I think I have a high IQ for the game. I take a lot of pride in that and I thank my dad a lot for that.”
Needs Improvement: His low homer numbers (3) are not a cause for concern because he swings a good bat and as he matures and gets stronger that number should increase.
Victor Scott II, St. Louis Cardinals, CF
Scott, the Cardinals No.4 ranked prospect behind the likes of Masyn Winn, Tink Hence and Chase Davis, could be the game’s next great defensive centerfielder.
Victor Scott II spent the 2023 season between High-A Peoria and Double-A Springfield, where he swung a great bat and played elite defense.
A .290 batting average to go along with 166 hits, including 20 doubles and ten triples, 94 stolen bases and 95 runs scored, are numbers that have the Cardinals organization excited.
Needs Improvement: His power numbers and plate consistency will increase as he moves up the pipeline.
Cam Collier, Reds, 3B
The son of former MLB player Lou Collier looks the part, and the belief is he’ll only get better with time. “Bam Bam” recently turned 19-years-old and had a solid season at Single-A Daytona where he batted a respectable .246 with 68 RBI.
While the home run numbers (6) were low, Collier’s swing and power projects well to the next level as he matures and continues to grow into his imposing frame.
The 2023 Pittsburgh Pirates have made marked improvement this season. Currently sitting at (74-82), but out of the National League playoff picture, the team’s record with six games less in the season is already 12 more games better than they finished the 2022 season (62-100).
And, if you’re looking for a club not named the Baltimore Orioles or the Washington Nationals with a brighter future, look no further than the banks of where “Three Rivers Stadium” use to sit.
With pitcher Paul Skenes the 2023 No.1 overall pick, expected to get the call up to the majors next season, things are looking up.
While, Skenes looks the part standing 6-foot-6 and 235 pounds, there’s another prospect that’s been tearing it up in the minors, in fact he was so good this season that he was just named the club’s Minor League Player of the Year.
That’s right second baseman. Termarr Johnson just won the award. In the 2023 season between stops at Low-A Bradenton and High-A Greensboro, Johnson hit 18 total home runs in 349 at-bats.
Showing great plate discipline Johnson drew 101 walks, but at times he was too patient either going down swinging or getting caught looking a total of 120 times.
For the season he finished with a .244/ .422/ .438 slashline and an .860 OPS. Johnson’s 2023 MiLB season proves he’s a big time hitter, who’s only gonna get better.
@MLBDevelops
Baseball Is Johnson’s Life
With the minor league season now complete, and most players taking a little time off, the Atlanta native was spotted at the East Cobb Baseball facility getting some work in last week.
In an interview with Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Johnson talked about his love for the game and how he felt his 2023 season went.
“I like to play baseball every day of the week. This is my getaway. This is what I do. This is my life,” Johnson told the Post Gazette. “I want to play baseball as long as they let me.”
“As far as my play goes, it was alright,” Johnson said. “But definitely need to get way better. Ten times more a player than I was this year.”
Big on family values, Johnson says his patience at the plate is a credit to his family values, and what was bestowed upon him at a very young age.
Never Rush, Patience Is A Virtue
While it may sound a bit cliché, Johnson truly does live by the saying that “patience is a virtue,” and even as his average went up and down a lot during the season, he stayed the course and never changed his approach.
“I never like to rush anything,” Johnson said. “I don’t like to rush at-bats. I don’t like to rush development. I don’t like to rush anything that gets me better every day.”
“The pitcher has to come to me. I think that’s where my patience comes from, and I’ve just got to continue to do that.”
While currently slated to join the Pirates in 2025, Johnson who’s likely to begin the 2024 season with the Club’s Double-A affiliate, is hoping to be in the majors in 2024.
“I want to be prepared for Pittsburgh next year, help those guys win,” Johnson said. “We need some winning baseball up there, and I’m ready to do it.”
I wouldn’t bet against Johnson arriving in the majors sometime during the 2024 MLB season.
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