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Season storyline: Quinn Priester rejoins Pirates

Quinn Priester makes MLB return Former top prospect called up to majors following injury to Marco Gonzales   The Pittsburgh Pirates’ rotation to start the year he been a welcome surprise. Between Martin Perez holding a 2.55 earned run average (ERA) and Jared Jones setting the baseball world on fire to start his career, the rotation has kept them in most games this season. After Marco Gonzales landed on the injured list because of a left forearm muscle strain, Quinn Priester will be the next man up to continue the success. Priester’s first major league stint was not what Pirates’ fans had been hoping for. The former top prospect had lost some of his velocity and his good breaking stuff was not enough to make up for a fastball that was too hittable. The strikeouts were also not enough to make up for how hard he was getting hit in 2023. Albeit in a small sample size, Priester may be on the verge of a resurgence after working on those problems. After being drafted at ...
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Prospect highlight: Termarr Johnson

Termarr Johnson opens season in A-ball

Pirate’s second base prospect begins year in High-A Greensboro

By Aidan Treu

 

Termarr Johnson, the Pirates’ top hitting prospect, will begin the 2024 season with the Greensboro Grasshoppers with his sights set on a promotion to AA Altoona.

After putting up an .820 on base plus slugging percentage (OPS) between low-A Bradenton and High-A Greensboro a year ago, he will return to the Grasshoppers’ hitter friendly ballpark.

The second baseman has been universally lauded for his hit-tool, while his power has also taken a jump since he was drafted.

MLB pipeline referred to Johnson as, “a potential No. 1 overall choice because he might be the best pure prep hitter in decades,” before the 2022 draft, and that he could be “a 25-30 homer threat in the big leagues.”

While his bat to ball skills have not led to otherworldly contact numbers, as evidenced by his .240 career minor league batting average, the second baseman is getting on base at an elite clip and already tapping into his power potential.

The .244 batting average in 2023 was an improvement on his first year in the minors. His .422 on-base percentage (OBP) and 18 home runs are encouraging to say the least.

While Johnson could afford to strikeout less, he walked 101 times last year alone. Additionally, his over .400 weighted on-base average (wOBA) and over 140 weighted runs created plus (wRC+) a year ago suggest sustainability of his success, at least in the levels he’s played. MLB pipeline’s top second base prospect does not need a full approach overhaul.

The top prospect’s strikeout rate also dropped significantly after a shaky start in that area last season.

Johnson has never been a defensive standout in his early professional career and his arm will likely prevent him from ever playing shortstop consistently, but his glove should play more than well enough for his bat to keep him in the lineup through all levels if he continues to improve.

For what its worth, other positions were likely not in the cards for Johnson in the Pirates’ organization with Ke’Bryan Hayes and Oneil Cruz already on the MLB team. There are adjustments to be made, but he could be a big boost to the Bucs’ lineup at a position that has not produced elite offense recently.

Johnson will be joined by Mitch Jebb, Jack Brannigan and Lonnie White Jr. as top position prospects in the Pirates’ organization on the Grasshoppers roster.

 

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