Morning Rundown: Lonnie White Jr. Returns, Termarr Johnson Grand Slam, FCL Struggles
After a brief stint on the injured list, Lonnie White returned to action on Saturday, while Termarr Johnson hits a grand slam and the FCL Pirates' struggles continue.
Lonnie White Jr. had already missed too much time to start his year, any other injured list stints were going to be a big blow to his development.
That came to fruition last weekend, as he was hit in the head with a baseball while hitting, and was put on the 7-day injured list. It seemed like he was fine, and the team was being more safe than sorry.
He returned to the lineup on Saturday, spending the minimum time on the IL, and picked up a pair of hits against Lakeland - one of which was a deep drive to the center field wall.
During his time in Bradenton, White has probably been exactly what you would have expected from a player that has missed the amount of time he has, but at the same time has a lot of upside.
He’s hit the ball hard as of late, but still showing some holes in his game that you’d expect to get ironed out after more playing time.
It seems like the Pirates truly dodged a bullet with Termarr Johnson, who was hit in the left hand the other night but returned to the lineup on Saturday and hit a grand slam and RBI single - driving in a total of five runs on the night.
Johnson’s season has been a little bit of a mixed bag, the numbers don’t tell the entire story, but there is no doubting he’s still struggled at times.
This was a reminder of just what exactly he brings to the table.
At one point, the Florida Complex League team for the Pirates seemed like a cheat code. It was easy to point out who the best team was there, and it was them. They’ve got plenty of contributions from all over, whether it was Yordany De Los Santos and Lonnie White Jr. at the beginning of the season, or Michael Kennedy on the mound, or even Eddy Rodriguez and Esmerlyn Valdez.
There was no shortage of help on the roster, and they held a commanding lead in the league with a 28-15 record.
That was 10 games ago, and a 2-8 stretch as of late now puts the Pirates chasing two other teams for the best record in the FCL.
Pitching has been an issue, they’ve had some good stretches here and there, especially with adding in the 2023 draft picks, but that hasn’t been enough.
There’s still quite a few intriguing names on the roster to look out for next year in Bradenton, but not the ideal ending to the season.
Magdiel Cotto was activated by the FCL Pirates, and made his professional debut, striking out a pair of batters in his inning of work.
Yerry De los Santos and Duane Underwood Jr. were both placed on the 7-day injured list for the Indianapolis Indians.
Both JC Flowers and Braeden Ogle were activated in their place.
Minor League Recap 8/19
Indianapolis Indians - 5 vs St. Paul Saints - 4
Top Hitter - Ryan Vilade: 2-2, R, 2 RBI, 2 BB, HR (5)
Top Pitcher - Quinn Priester: 4 IP, 4 H, 3 BB, 6 K
Altoona Curve - 5 vs Bowie Baysox - 6
Top Hitter - Tsung-Che Cheng: 2-4, 2 R, 2B
Top Pitcher - Tyler Samaniego: IP, BB, 3 K
Greensboro Grasshoppers - 9 vs Bowling Green Hot Rods - 1
Top Hitter - Termarr Johnson: 2-4, R, 5 RBI, BB, HR (4)
Top Pitcher - Jaycob Deese: 3 IP, H, 4 K
Bradenton Marauders - 5 vs Lakeland Flying Tigers - 3
Top Hitter - Lonnie White Jr.: 2-5, RBI, 2B
Top Pitcher - Max Kranick: 3 IP, 2 H, 2 K
FCL Pirates - 4 vs FCL Orioles - 6
Top Hitter - Estuar Suero: 1-4, 2 R, 2 RBI, BB, HR (1)
Top Pitcher - Magdiel Cotto: IP, H, 2 K
DSL Pirates Gold - 4 vs DSL Brewers 1 - 1
Top Hitter - John Zorrilla: 1-3, 3 RBI, 2B
Top Pitcher - Diego Chiquillo: 2 IP, 2 BB, 3 K
DSL Pirates Black - 4 vs DSL Cubs Red 9
Top Hitter - Isaac Paulino: 1-1, R, 2 RBI
Top Pitcher - Dermis Ordonez: IP, K
Good try, but it is very difficult to explain that TJ has actually struggled at times this year. Based on comparative numbers, he is definitely elite. He played A ball half as an 18 year old and half as a 19 year old. In 330 PA he logged 10 doubles, a triple, 13 HR, and 44 RBI. What really stood out were his BB/K numbers. He walked 72 times for a 21.8% rate, and K'd 88 times for a 26.7% rate.
Promoted to A+ where he seemed to struggle, but in only 61 PA he has 4 HR, 10 RBI, 10 BB for a 16.4% rate, and 15 K for a 24.6% rate, with an .821 OPS. Is he getting better?
Every Prospect should struggle like that. I mentioned the talent in Bradenton (A, FCL), but just a few - Yordany de los Santos, 18, TJ and Shalin Polanco 19, Enmanuel Terrero and Lonnie White 20. And lots and lots of quality pitching!
I agree with the take on 20 year old Lonnie White, Jr, but in his minimal time at A (125 PA), he has done a lot of damage offensively. His OPS is 918, with 7 doubles, a triple, 5 HR, 8/9 SB, and his BB/K is very respectable at 19 BB (15.2%), 35 K (28%).
Hope he can finish out the year healthy and look forward to joining GBO out of ST next year. There are so many young, excellent prospects at Bradenton (FCL & A), the Pirates have a very promising future.