Termarr Johnson
 |
| Wikipedia |
Bio:
Age: 18
Height: 5'8"
Weight: 175 lbs.
Bats/Throws: Left/Right
Hometown: Atlanta, Georgia
Draft Profile: 1st round, 4th pick of the 2022 draft by Pittsburgh
Drafted Out of: Mays High School (Atlanta, GA)
Career Stat Line: .250 AVG .400 OBP 2 HR 16 RBI 8 SB 0.949 Fielding %
From one 2022 first rounder to another, we have Termarr Johnson in this week's Minor League Spotlight. One of the most highly coveted prospects of last year's draft, the powerful, athletic Johnson is one of the more captivating minor leaguers you'll come across.
The hype didn't just build on the lead up to the draft though; as Termarr had regularly found himself in the baseball limelight during his youth. He really burst onto the scene in 2019 at U-15 Baseball World Cup in Playa del Carmen, Mexico as the lead off man for the US National Team. On the way to a gold medal victory, the kid played in eight of the nine tournament games, going 9/24 (.385) at the dish, while collecting 3 RBI and leading the team in runs/stolen bases (USA Baseball). While still very much a work in progress, it was clear that this was a unique kind of talent.
After claiming the U-15 international gold, Johnson headed to high school at Benjamin Elijah Mays HS in Atlanta, Georgia (Wikipedia). Once he got onto the diamond at Mays, he began to quickly rise up professional draft boards. Despite being a touch undersized, the prep baller displayed pop in his bat and solid defense in the middle infield.
COVID took most of his sophomore campaign, but 2021 was kind to Termarr. The junior slashed .400/8/17 with an OPS of 1.540 and just three strikeouts against him in 19 games (Max Preps). Along the way, he was named the #1 prospect in Georgia and won the Perfect Game Home Run Derby (MLB.com). He built upon those accolades during his final season in high school, ultimately committing to the Arizona State Sun Devils for collegiate ball.
He'd never play down in Tempe however! There was a ton of debate about exactly how high he'd go in the 2022 draft-- whether it be first to Baltimore, or a potential slide to the bottom half of the top ten. The reality ended up being right in between, with the Pittsburgh Pirates selecting the recent high school graduate with the #4 overall pick. He signed a whopping $7.2 million dollar signing bonus just three days before the deadline to sign draftees and was optioned down to the Florida Complex League (The Athletic).
Even though he was just 18, Johnson only lasted nine games at the Pirates' FCL before being moved up to the Bradenton Marauders. His numbers at the initial placement were not particularly impressive, with a .130 average and no RBI, but he was clean in the field and didn't waiver any of the confidence the organization had in him. He played 14 games for the Marauders after the promotion, ripping a respectable .275 with 45% of his hits going for extra bases (MiLB.com).
His 2023 season has also started out at Bradenton, competing in the Low-A Florida State League. Through 28 games, he's boasting a .270/1/10 stat line with a much more impressive .425 OBP. The plate discipline seems to be there, now just a matter of the 18 year old getting up to speed with some substantially more experienced competition.
If you happen to be in the Tampa region during the coming weeks, make a point to check out this up and coming star in action. He's had a promising start to his career and will surely be a fast riser through Pittsburgh's system when things start really rolling.
------
@Choppinglines
*I own no rights to any images found in this blog
Comments
Post a Comment