The World Baseball Softball Confederation Premier12 tournament started this weekend, with round-robin group play that has Team USA in action down in Mexico.
Representing Team USA from the Pittsburgh Pirates organization is 2022 fourth overall pick Termarr Johnson. In the first three games of the tournament, Johnson has gone 2-for-5 with three walks.
He got into the first game as a defensive replacement in the ninth inning, with USA losing to Puerto Rico 1-0. Johnson started at second, batting ninth against The Netherlands on Sunday. He went 1-for-2 with two walks and three runs, while also taking part in a double play in the field.
Johnson returned to the lineup on Monday, again batting ninth and playing second. He went 1-for-3 with a walk. He came to the plate in a key situation in the ninth, with USA down by two, two outs, and the bases loaded. Johnson struck out swinging to end the game against Venezuela.
Andres Alvarez is also playing in the Premier12 tournament, playing for Mexico. He went 0-for-4 with a walk in game one, before going 3-for-5 with an RBI on Sunday in a win against Puerto Rico. The Pirates infield prospect went 0-for-4 in Monday’s loss to Panama.
Team USA and Mexico are both 1-2, while Venezuela and Panama now lead the group with a 2-1 record. With two games remaining, USA and Mexico will both need to win out in order to advance. However, they both play each other on Friday, meaning only one Pirates hitting prospect has a chance to advance in the tournament.
ARIZONA FALL LEAGUE
SCOTTSDALE won 5-2
- LF Sammy Siani: 1-for-4
- RHP Valentin Linarez: 1.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 1 K
Sammy Siani keeps hitting, going 1-for-4 in the first game after the Fall Stars Game. He picked up two hits in that game. Siani is now batting .397 with a 1.035 OPS in the AFL. As I wrote on Monday, he’s making a case to be added to the 40-man roster this offseason.
Valentin Linarez pitched 1.1 scoreless innings. He entered the game in the sixth inning with Scottsdale up 5-2, runners at first and second, and two outs. Linarez allowed a double steal and walked the bases loaded, before getting a strikeout swinging to escape the jam. He returned to pitch in the seventh. After a leadoff single, Linarez got three outs in play. He has an 0.87 ERA in 10.1 innings this offseason.
TUESDAY’S SCHEDULE
- AFL: Scottsdale vs Mesa (3:30 PM EST)
