PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – The Pirates seem to have strength in middle infielders, yet with the fourth overall pick they selected Atlanta high school SS/2B Termarr Johnson on Sunday in the MLB Draft.
High praise for Johnson from MLB.com saying ‘he might be the best pure prep hitter in decades’.
“He has a track record of pummeling pitchers on the showcase circuit and some evaluators give his bat top-of-the-scale 80 grades,” said MLB.com. “One scout gave him a double Hall of Famer comparison by calling him a combination of Wade Boggs' plate discipline and Vladimir Guerrero Sr.'s bat-to-ball skills.”
“Johnson's hand-eye coordination and swing decisions make him an elite contact hitter from the left side of the plate. He isn't fazed by mid-90s fastballs or quality breaking balls, using his quick, compact stroke to drive the ball to all fields. Though his listed 5-foot-10 height might be a bit generous, his ability to barrel balls along with his bat speed and strength could make him a 25-30 homer threat in the big leagues.”
“A shortstop in high school, Johnson will change positions as a pro because his quickness and arm are more average than plus. His hands work well in the field as well as at the plate and he profiles best at second base, where he should be at least a solid defender. He committed to Arizona State in May.”
That’s according to MLB.com as Johnson told ESPN after the draft he would be the next shortstop of the Pittsburgh Pirates and wants to be the captain of the team. That he’s in it to win a ring.
The Bucs have Oneil Cruz currently at short with Nick Gonzales, Liover Peguero, Diego Castillo and Tucupita Marcano has highly ranked middle infielders.
Pirates last 5 1st round picks
C-Henry Davis (2021, 1st overall)—AA Altoona
41 games, .268, .399-OBP, .882 OPS, 9-2B, 7-HR, 31-RBI, .989 fielding
· 22-year-old suffered a broken wrist in May missing nearly a month
2B-Nick Gonzales (2020, 7th overall)—AA Altoona
43 games, .247, .366-OBP, .743 OPS, 8-2B, 4-HR, 15-RBI, .978 fielding
· 23-year-old currently on the 60-day injured list with a heel injury
RHP-Quinn Priester (2019, 18th overall)—AA Altoona
7 starts, 1-1, 3.33 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, 27-IP, 25-K, 7-BB
· 21-year-old missed the first two months with an oblique injury
OF-Travis Swaggerty (2018, 10th overall)-AAA Indianapolis
59 games, .256, .321-OBP, .744 OPS, 7-2B, 5-3B, 7-HR, 36-RBI, .975 fielding
· 24-year-old missed played in only 12 games in 2021 with a shoulder injury
· got his first taste at MLB with one hit in 9 at bats
RHP-Shane Baz (2017, 12th overall)-Tampa Bay Rays
3 starts, 2-0, 2.03 ERA, 0.68 WHIP, 13.1-IP, 18-K, 3-BB
· currently on the 60-day injured list with a right elbow sprain
· 23-year-old part of the Chris Archer trade in 2018