SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — One of many greatest names within the Arizona Fall League gave followers a thrill and a scare in his opening sport Tuesday evening.
Termarr Johnson led off towards right-hander Dylan Ray (Diamondbacks) by taking two referred to as strikes and a ball earlier than staying again completely on a changeup and crushing it 393 ft to proper subject for a house run. The Pirates’ No. 3 prospect additionally singled in his second plate look and walked in his third en path to a 2-for-4 evening.
Johnson’s efficiency helped the Scottsdale Scorpions to a 9-8 victory over the Salt River Rafters, however he exited early with what initially seemed like a doubtlessly severe harm. Batting within the prime of the eighth, he viciously swung by a 1-1 changeup from left-hander Evan Justice (Rockies) and instantly could not put any weight on his proper foot. After consulting with Scottsdale’s trainers, he needed to be carried off the sphere.
It was only a extreme cramp in his proper leg, although. Johnson recovered in time to rejoice the win by doing the Griddy within the postgame handshake line.
“I suppose I had a whole lot of motion right this moment and I’ve simply received to be sure that I do a greater job earlier than and get some meals beneath me,” Johnson mentioned. “It was solely a cramp. I took a fairly good hack at a pitch up and I had a calf simply lock up on me. I’ve had a few these earlier than and it simply locked up actual fast.”
Johnson mentioned he’d be able to play in Scottsdale’s sport Wednesday if wanted.
The fourth general choose within the 2022 Draft out of Mays Excessive College in Atlanta, Johnson was some of the hyped highschool hitters in recent times. Some scouts put a top-of-the-scale 80 grade on his hitting means, and one evaluator mentioned Johnson mixed Wade Boggs’ plate self-discipline with Vladimir Guerrero Sr.’s bat-to-ball expertise.
Johnson nonetheless has spectacular hand-eye coordination and a fast left-handed swing, nevertheless it hasn’t fairly translated as anticipated in professional ball. He slashed .239/.390/.386 in 252 video games over three seasons, exhibiting strong energy potential and drawing loads of walks but in addition hanging out a surprisingly excessive 24 p.c price.
To his credit score, Johnson has superior quickly — the 20-year-old reached Double-A by the tip of this season. He nonetheless ranks No. 75 on MLB Pipeline’s High 100 Prospects checklist. And his perception in himself has not waned.
“I am glad for what I’ve completed,” Johnson mentioned. “I am engaged on being a greater baseball participant, and it seems to be precisely the way it’s speculated to look. I am simply attempting to proceed to do no matter I can to proceed to be sure that I am in the perfect place doable, as a result of I do know I am the perfect hitter on this planet.
“Me persevering with to work on me being the perfect on this planet is essential to me. So no matter it takes, truthfully, if it is [hitting] .500 or if it is .060 to ensure that me to be the perfect hitter on this planet, it’s what it’s. I simply received to be sure that I do my half.”
