Pittsburgh Review

Termarr Johnson, the Pittsburgh Pirates' No. 3 prospect, has made a notable start in the Arizona Fall League (AFL) with the Scottsdale Scorpions. The young athlete expressed his determination to improve his skills and maintain his confidence. "I'm just trying to continue to do whatever I can to continue to make sure that I'm in the best position possible, because I know I'm the best hitter in the world," Johnson stated after hitting a home run in his AFL debut.

Johnson's career statistics show potential but also areas for improvement. Despite reaching Double-A at age 20, he holds a .239/.390/.406 line over 252 Minor League games. He acknowledges that strikeouts have been more frequent than anticipated but remains focused on learning and growing as a player. "I learned a lot," Johnson said of his 2024 season. "It was just fun learning a lot about myself."

The young player is eager to extend his season this fall and further develop his game with the Scorpions. His brother Terrenz Johnson's music has been an inspiration, serving as walk-up music during games. While AFL does not offer walk-up songs like regular seasons, Johnson hopes to showcase some new selections if given the opportunity.

Other Pirates players are also participating in the Fall League. Kervin Pichardo, Geovanny Planchart, and Sammy Siani are among those representing Pittsburgh hitters, each bringing unique strengths and experiences to their roles.

On the pitching side, Khristian Curtis is noted for overcoming injuries while showcasing impressive fastball velocity this year. Derek Diamond is recognized for his consistent ability to throw strikes, while Valentin Linarez has transitioned from starter to bullpen with success at High-A Greensboro. Eddy Yean's improvements suggest he could contribute significantly to the big league bullpen by 2025.

The AFL provides these prospects with valuable experience and development opportunities as they aim for future success in Major League Baseball.