Termarr Johnson returned to the lineup on Thursday night in the Arizona Fall League.
The infield prospect for the Pittsburgh Pirates left the opener on Tuesday with a leg injury, after hitting a homer in his AFL debut. He was seen on field celebrating after the game, and said after the game that he would be able to play Wednesday, if needed. After a day off — which is common in the AFL — Johnson looked great in his return on Thursday.
Playing shortstop and batting leadoff, Johnson went 2-for-4 with a triple and a walk. He drew the walk in the third inning, reaching base for the first time on the day. The triple came with one out in the seventh inning, with Scottsdale down 10-2. Johnson later scored the third run of the game on another triple. He also singled in the ninth inning with one out, eventually scoring the fifth and final run of the game.
On the field, Johnson had some issues. He had a throwing error to lead off the eighth inning, which led to a run. The fifth inning started with a single that deflected off his glove, which led to another run. Johnson did start a 6-4-3 double play, and caught a fly ball in the outfield.
Johnson is naturally a second baseman, and while he can play shortstop, it’s going to take some work to make that position a Major League option. It’s a good thing that he’s getting this experience in the AFL, which is likely the fastest paced environment he’s played in thus far in his baseball career.
What’s even better is that Johnson is hitting 4-for-8 with a homer and a triple during his first two games in that same advanced environment.
ARIZONA FALL LEAGUE
SCOTTSDALE lost 12-5, despite the two hits and two runs from Termarr Johnson.
- SS Termarr Johnson: 2-for-4, 3B, BB
- CF Sammy Siani: 1-for-5
- 3B Kervin Pichardo: 1-for-4
Sammy Siani led off the eighth inning with a single. He didn’t score, ending the inning stranded at third. Siani homered in the opener. Kervin Pichardo made his AFL debut, going 1-for-4. His single in the sixth inning put a runner on base with two outs. Pichardo spent his 2024 season in Altoona, where he hit for a .679 OPS at the age of 22.
TODAY’S SCHEDULE
- AFL: Scottsdale at Glendale (9:30 PM EST)
