Termarr Johnson is one of five players under the age of 20 among the Pirates’ top 10 prospects, according to MLB Pipeline. He's joined in that specific category by four prospects under the age of 19 -- Konnor Griffin, Wyatt Sanford, Levi Sterling and ZanderMueth -- all of whom were taken in the MLB Draft over the past two years.
There are similarities between the five. They all have plenty of room for growth and there’s optimism surrounding their potential. But what makes Johnson, 20, stand out is that he is now in the midst of his fourth season at the professional level. While he's still young, he's become more seasoned with each passing year:
“It's been good work through the years," Johnson, the Pirates’ fourth overall selection in 2022, told me today following a doubleheader between the Class AA Altoona Curve and the Harrisburg Senators. "Every game, I learn something different. I learn something about myself, about the game and what it brings to me. I've been really happy and very grateful for the opportunity to play professional baseball at such an early age."
Ranked as the Pirates' No. 4 prospect and the No. 87 overall prospect in all of baseball, also per MLB Pipeline, Johnson has worked his way through the minor-league system at a relatively quick rate. He went from playing in 25 games between the Florida Complex League and Class A Bradenton in 2022, to appearing in 105 games with Bradenton and Class A Greensboro in 2023. Last season, Johnson started the year with the Grasshoppers, hitting .238 with 13 home runs and 46 RBIs in 110 games, and ended it with Altoona, slashing .229/.316/.396 with two home runs and eight RBIs in 14 games.
Johnson has experienced his share of ups and downs throughout a professional career in which he's produced a .241/.387/.408 slash line with a .795 OPS, 39 home runs and 129 RBIs in 283 total games. He's struck out at a 23% rate over the course of his time in the minor leagues, but has also benefitted from quality at-bats that have ended in free passes, generating a 18% walk rate. Last year, nearly 40% of his 544 plate appearances ended in either a walk (85), strikeout (116) or home run (15).
That growth has continued in his first full Class AA season with the Curve. He's seemingly adapted to opposing pitchers rather well, putting together a slash line of .261/.362/.420 with a .782 OPS over 31 games. He ranks among the top-25 hitters in the Eastern League in batting average, on-base percentage, slugging percentage and OPS, while sitting tied for fourth with his five home runs that lead all Curve hitters. Johnson and teammate Mitch Jebb share the team lead with 19 walks.
Johnson walked twice and scored three runs in today's doubleheader. He went 3 for 7 with his first triple of the season in game one:
"I think it's been really good as far as bringing it all together," Johnson said when I asked how he's grown from an offensive perspective. "Understanding what I need to do to get my pitch, understanding what I need to do to challenge pitchers and understanding what I need to do to get on base. I've been able to be a different type of hitter, whether I'm leading off, being a power hitter in the three hole or even being, like with Team USA, in the seven, eight, nine. Learning what it takes in order for you to help the team win every single day."
"He obviously has a very good eye and has good bat-to-ball skills," first-year Altoona manager Andy Fox said. "You see the ability in there. Now, again, like everybody else, it's just about getting consistent, whether it's offensively, defensively, running the bases, all the things you need to do to play in the big leagues and be a solid player."
While Fox has spent a short time with Johnson, he's watched him mature over this first month-plus of the season. Part of that maturation is overcoming inevitable poor performances by turning the page.
Johnson put that on display last month when he struck out four times in a game against Chesapeake on April 26. He returned to the field April 27 and collected two hits in a 4-1 win.
"Seeing him bounce back the next day, we saw the maturity," Fox said. "That's part of the process, because they're going to get opportunities and he's going to get opportunities. It's just about managing those bad days and not letting them affect the next one."
Like any young prospect, Johnson has his sights set on continuing his progression through the system. He envisions one day playing for Class AAA Indianapolis on his way to Pittsburgh. He doesn't let those aspirations take up too much space in his head, though.
"The guys know I'm ready. Just going out there trying to win every single day. I think that's the most important thing," Johnson said. "Everybody knows what's going on, so as long as I just do my part every single day and help the Altoona Curve win, I know they're going to need me soon. Whenever they do need me, they'll make the call."
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THE ASYLUM
José Negron
8:44 pm - 05.14.2025Altoona, Pa.Johnson keeps growing: 'Every game, I learn'
ALTOONA CURVE
Termarr Johnson celebrates in the Altoona dugout.
Termarr Johnson is one of five players under the age of 20 among the Pirates’ top 10 prospects, according to MLB Pipeline. He's joined in that specific category by four prospects under the age of 19 -- Konnor Griffin, Wyatt Sanford, Levi Sterling and Zander Mueth -- all of whom were taken in the MLB Draft over the past two years.
There are similarities between the five. They all have plenty of room for growth and there’s optimism surrounding their potential. But what makes Johnson, 20, stand out is that he is now in the midst of his fourth season at the professional level. While he's still young, he's become more seasoned with each passing year:
“It's been good work through the years," Johnson, the Pirates’ fourth overall selection in 2022, told me today following a doubleheader between the Class AA Altoona Curve and the Harrisburg Senators. "Every game, I learn something different. I learn something about myself, about the game and what it brings to me. I've been really happy and very grateful for the opportunity to play professional baseball at such an early age."
Ranked as the Pirates' No. 4 prospect and the No. 87 overall prospect in all of baseball, also per MLB Pipeline, Johnson has worked his way through the minor-league system at a relatively quick rate. He went from playing in 25 games between the Florida Complex League and Class A Bradenton in 2022, to appearing in 105 games with Bradenton and Class A Greensboro in 2023. Last season, Johnson started the year with the Grasshoppers, hitting .238 with 13 home runs and 46 RBIs in 110 games, and ended it with Altoona, slashing .229/.316/.396 with two home runs and eight RBIs in 14 games.
Johnson has experienced his share of ups and downs throughout a professional career in which he's produced a .241/.387/.408 slash line with a .795 OPS, 39 home runs and 129 RBIs in 283 total games. He's struck out at a 23% rate over the course of his time in the minor leagues, but has also benefitted from quality at-bats that have ended in free passes, generating a 18% walk rate. Last year, nearly 40% of his 544 plate appearances ended in either a walk (85), strikeout (116) or home run (15).
That growth has continued in his first full Class AA season with the Curve. He's seemingly adapted to opposing pitchers rather well, putting together a slash line of .261/.362/.420 with a .782 OPS over 31 games. He ranks among the top-25 hitters in the Eastern League in batting average, on-base percentage, slugging percentage and OPS, while sitting tied for fourth with his five home runs that lead all Curve hitters. Johnson and teammate Mitch Jebb share the team lead with 19 walks.
Johnson walked twice and scored three runs in today's doubleheader. He went 3 for 7 with his first triple of the season in game one:
"I think it's been really good as far as bringing it all together," Johnson said when I asked how he's grown from an offensive perspective. "Understanding what I need to do to get my pitch, understanding what I need to do to challenge pitchers and understanding what I need to do to get on base. I've been able to be a different type of hitter, whether I'm leading off, being a power hitter in the three hole or even being, like with Team USA, in the seven, eight, nine. Learning what it takes in order for you to help the team win every single day."
"He obviously has a very good eye and has good bat-to-ball skills," first-year Altoona manager Andy Fox said. "You see the ability in there. Now, again, like everybody else, it's just about getting consistent, whether it's offensively, defensively, running the bases, all the things you need to do to play in the big leagues and be a solid player."
While Fox has spent a short time with Johnson, he's watched him mature over this first month-plus of the season. Part of that maturation is overcoming inevitable poor performances by turning the page.
Johnson put that on display last month when he struck out four times in a game against Chesapeake on April 26. He returned to the field April 27 and collected two hits in a 4-1 win.
"Seeing him bounce back the next day, we saw the maturity," Fox said. "That's part of the process, because they're going to get opportunities and he's going to get opportunities. It's just about managing those bad days and not letting them affect the next one."
Like any young prospect, Johnson has his sights set on continuing his progression through the system. He envisions one day playing for Class AAA Indianapolis on his way to Pittsburgh. He doesn't let those aspirations take up too much space in his head, though.
"The guys know I'm ready. Just going out there trying to win every single day. I think that's the most important thing," Johnson said. "Everybody knows what's going on, so as long as I just do my part every single day and help the Altoona Curve win, I know they're going to need me soon. Whenever they do need me, they'll make the call."
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