Pirates prospect Termarr Johnson wants to become the best batsman in the world

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – One of the Arizona Fall League’s biggest names brought excitement and terror to fans in its opening game Tuesday night.

Termarr Johnson got the better of right-hander Dylan Ray (Diamondbacks), taking two called strikes and a ball before holding back perfectly on a changeup and smashing it 393 feet into right field for a home run. The Pirates’ third-string prospect also had a single in his second plate appearance and scored his third en route to a 2-for-4 victory.

Johnson’s performance helped the Scottsdale Scorpions to a 9-8 victory over the Salt River Rafters, but he was forced out early because of what initially looked like a potentially serious injury. Batting in the top of the eighth, he brutally hit left-hander Evan Justice’s (Rockies) 1-1 changeup and immediately lost weight on his right foot. After consulting with Scottsdale coaches, he had to be carried off the field.

However, it was just a severe cramp in his right leg. Johnson recovered in time to celebrate the win by doing the griddy in the postgame handshake line.

“I guess I had a lot of exercise today and I just need to make sure I do a better job and get some nutrition under me beforehand,” Johnson said. “It was just a cramp. I was doing a pretty good ride on an incline and a calf just blocked me. I’ve had a few of them and it gets blocked really quickly.”

Johnson said he would be willing to play in Scottsdale on Wednesday if needed.

Johnson, the fourth overall pick in the 2022 draft out of Mays High School in Atlanta, was one of the most hyped high school hitters in recent years. Some scouts gave his hitting ability a top grade of 80, and one evaluator said Johnson combined the hitting discipline of Wade Boggs with the hitting-the-ball skills of Vladimir Guerrero Sr.

Johnson still has impressive hand-eye coordination and a quick left-handed swing, but that hasn’t quite translated into pro ball as expected. He hit .239/.390/.386 in 252 games over three seasons, showing solid power potential and drawing plenty of walks, but also shooting at a surprisingly high 24 percent.

To his credit, Johnson has progressed quickly – the 20-year-old reached Double-A at the end of that season. He’s still ranked No. 75 on MLB Pipeline’s top 100 prospect list. And his belief in himself hasn’t wavered.

“I’m happy with what I did,” Johnson said. “I’m working on becoming a better baseball player and it looks exactly how it’s supposed to look. I just try to continue to do everything I can to make sure I continue to be in the best position possible because I know I’m the best batsman in the world.

“It is very important to me to continue working to be the best in the world. So whatever it takes, honestly, if that’s the case.” [hitting] .500 or .060 for me to be the best hitter in the world is what it is. I just have to make sure I do my part.