Looking at FG's ZiPS for the Rangers and Evan Carter isn't projected to be a starter...that sure would be a nice trade target for a team looking for hitting. Prob cost a haul, tho.
I’m great! Very happy with the outcome. Bummed to see the #Resistance is gearing up to respond exactly the same way and has learned absolutely nothing in 8 years, though.
It's worth BC to check out. As much money as the Rangers dumped on pitching the last 2 years, maybe they'd be interested in a controllable young starter and an interesting prospect or few.
Termarr is one stout son of a. Every time I see a picture of him I think he could squat in his stance and lead the league in walks. Appears a little taller than that wee man the Indians sent out to hat back in the day. Not sure what is a correct term these days.
Termarr Johnson plays and lives this game on the edge, and he has the self-confidence to continue to play that way even though it might upset some people. In 2023 he had an excellent year at A (867 OPS), then went to A+ and posted an .841 OPS with 5 HR in 99 AB. He started 2024 at ST and posted a 1.052 OPS, second only to Oneil Cruz for infielders. When he was sent back to A+ to start the year, anybody who knows this game knows that he probably felt he had done enough to earn a promotion. I thought so, and expected the start that he had at A+. He worked through it, and got his head straight even though he was still only 19.
He has all of the physical tools and very, very few hitters post anywhere near a 1 to 1 rate of BB's to K's. That's an on-base machine who also has pop in the bat and plays well defensively. IMO, he's the best we have in the system at 2B, and a smart GM would do what he could to clear his path to MLB.
When he has earned his way and proven he is ready then he will force his way into the lineup. No clearing of path needed. This is a wonderful problem to have and no reason to overthink it or start reacting before he has proven his worth. Skenes is the easy example as his readiness was undeniable.
Obviously, there are some highly touted prep hitters who just flop, but I don’t think we’re looking at Mark Merchant here. I don’t have the energy rn to comb through dozens of drafts, but anecdotally, I think it’s pretty common for some to take a while to figure what they’re about. Naturally I’d rather he was hitting .325 at every level, but I’m inclined to think he’s more of a work in progress than most hitters who’ve reached AA.
He struggled somewhat early this year, but came out of it on his own. Will not turn 21 until June of 2025 at AA, and in his ages 18, 19, and 20 through FCL, A, and A+ he has 202 BB/257 K. Big On Base numbers and fields well at 2B and SS. Hard to expect any better than what he has already provided.
Yep, only thing concerning is his swing and miss in the zone. I still think he'll continue to improve, at least he doesn't chase much. I hope they just leave him at second and cut down his areas of focus. He has the potential to be a very good all around player there but doesn't really have the arm for short.
We can also look at the top ten of that draft, and 20/20 hindsight I’m 100% taking Termarr again. It’s fair to wonder about uneven development, but he’s not close to a finished product and he’s got as good of a chance to be an above average major leaguer as anyone they would’ve reasonably taken there. Sometimes the draft makes the pick for you.
Is it uneven development or a teenager trying to find himself in Pro ball?
I know the former is the easiest, but if the dev was uneven, it's amazing he made AA ball as a 20-year-old.
Obviously, the Pirates don't have stellar track record developing hitters, but I don't think you can blame that on every hitter. Just about every teenager going into pro ball is going to hit some bumps in the road. Just seems like an easy or lazy excuse to continually blame the dev team for any kid that has a struggle here or there.
Sure, if you want to use this for someone like Henry Davis, who was rushed through the minors at an historical pace.
The uneven development comment is semantics relative to what you’re saying. Plenty of legit reasons why his development could be uneven that have nothing to do with mismanagement on the Pirates part, starting with the fact that prep players are a crapshoot. We can look at those draft results and be upset that he isn’t Jackson Holliday, or you can do what I’m doing here and being grateful we didn’t end up with Elijah Greene.
Lee is really the only one I may want to have instead in that top 10 range. Among the rest, it looks like two busts already, two injured arms and a platoon corner OF at best.
We do have to be realistic, though. MLB.com rated him only the 15th best prospect in the AFL. That’s not nothing, but as someone who bought the hype I remain somewhat disappointed.
The choice at the time was Johnson vs. Elijah Green. Green has been horrendous —- a tool kit who can’t make contact to save his life —- so in that sense I’m fine with the Johnson pick. But he does not project to be a star as things now stand.
It's really good for him to stay active and get that experience. Good for him!!
OT...
Looking at FG's ZiPS for the Rangers and Evan Carter isn't projected to be a starter...that sure would be a nice trade target for a team looking for hitting. Prob cost a haul, tho.
No thanks
Jared jones? Similar control and we can put carter as our second CF
Be cool to have him patrol LF and Cruz in CF.
No it'd cost Jones + Harrington or Konnor Griffin
according to what? that system you pay for isn't the end all be all. To me, it sounds like it needs calibrated at the very least.
It's like having a magic 8-ball and believing everything it says or believing in Miss Cleo.
BTV is the best tool we've got for trade values. Much better than anything rattling around between your ears anyway.
doubt that.
BTW, how you been, man?
Pretty big win for the GOP few weeks ago. Stunned we won by that large of a margin. Then again, who wants to live the last 4 years over...
I’m great! Very happy with the outcome. Bummed to see the #Resistance is gearing up to respond exactly the same way and has learned absolutely nothing in 8 years, though.
It's worth BC to check out. As much money as the Rangers dumped on pitching the last 2 years, maybe they'd be interested in a controllable young starter and an interesting prospect or few.
Yessir.
Termarr is one stout son of a. Every time I see a picture of him I think he could squat in his stance and lead the league in walks. Appears a little taller than that wee man the Indians sent out to hat back in the day. Not sure what is a correct term these days.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eddie_Gaedel
Termarr may be short in stature, but he’s no “little person.”
Nah termarr is a grown ass man despite his age, built well
Def. I bet he can clang some plates on a leg press. Bet they don't call his lower legs calves but cows. Built like Maurice jones drew
Good comp! Hope he ages better
Dudes middle name is Pinot Noir. Look it up. He will age just fine.
Ha!!!
sources saying KeBryan, Ashcraft and Keller to the Cubs for Bellinger and Happ
In a heartbeat. Triolo hit as well as Hayes last year, hopefully will get better.
Who you got playing third then?
Triolo, Yorke and Nick rotation
Covering 2b too? Or I heard Ketel marte is a decent 2b if we could snag him
no to Ketel
Id add Peguero to that rotation until Termarr bangs down the door
Endy can get some reps at second too
this is how Id lay out the hitters should a trade like that go through
(1) CF Cruz
(2) RF Reynolds
(3) DH *Cutch
(4) C Bart / Tank
(4) 1B #Bellinger / Endy
(5) 2B Yorke / Nick
(6) LF #Happ
(7) SS IKF / Peguero
(8) 3B Triolo
‘24 NL ROY - Paul Skenes
‘25 NL ROY - Bubba Chandler
‘26 NL ROY - Termarr Johnson
Let it be written. Let it be done.
Don't stop there.
'27 NL ROY - Konnor Griffin
'28 NL ROY - Zander Mueth
I didn’t want to sound greedy. 😎
Me too, I purposely left off David Matoma in '29.
Termarr Johnson plays and lives this game on the edge, and he has the self-confidence to continue to play that way even though it might upset some people. In 2023 he had an excellent year at A (867 OPS), then went to A+ and posted an .841 OPS with 5 HR in 99 AB. He started 2024 at ST and posted a 1.052 OPS, second only to Oneil Cruz for infielders. When he was sent back to A+ to start the year, anybody who knows this game knows that he probably felt he had done enough to earn a promotion. I thought so, and expected the start that he had at A+. He worked through it, and got his head straight even though he was still only 19.
He has all of the physical tools and very, very few hitters post anywhere near a 1 to 1 rate of BB's to K's. That's an on-base machine who also has pop in the bat and plays well defensively. IMO, he's the best we have in the system at 2B, and a smart GM would do what he could to clear his path to MLB.
When he has earned his way and proven he is ready then he will force his way into the lineup. No clearing of path needed. This is a wonderful problem to have and no reason to overthink it or start reacting before he has proven his worth. Skenes is the easy example as his readiness was undeniable.
Because clearing a path for the kids worked so well in 2016...
TJ won't be in MLB before some time in 2026. There's plenty of time to "clear a path" should his play warrant it.
There are a lot of downers on Temarr, but I think everyone always forgets how young he is.
He's not Bryce Harper, but he doesn't have to be. I can see him taking a lot of steps in the coming two seasons.
Obviously, there are some highly touted prep hitters who just flop, but I don’t think we’re looking at Mark Merchant here. I don’t have the energy rn to comb through dozens of drafts, but anecdotally, I think it’s pretty common for some to take a while to figure what they’re about. Naturally I’d rather he was hitting .325 at every level, but I’m inclined to think he’s more of a work in progress than most hitters who’ve reached AA.
His plate discipline and pitch recognition along with his age makes me think he'll figure out and be a productive contribute.
He struggled somewhat early this year, but came out of it on his own. Will not turn 21 until June of 2025 at AA, and in his ages 18, 19, and 20 through FCL, A, and A+ he has 202 BB/257 K. Big On Base numbers and fields well at 2B and SS. Hard to expect any better than what he has already provided.
Yep, only thing concerning is his swing and miss in the zone. I still think he'll continue to improve, at least he doesn't chase much. I hope they just leave him at second and cut down his areas of focus. He has the potential to be a very good all around player there but doesn't really have the arm for short.
We can also look at the top ten of that draft, and 20/20 hindsight I’m 100% taking Termarr again. It’s fair to wonder about uneven development, but he’s not close to a finished product and he’s got as good of a chance to be an above average major leaguer as anyone they would’ve reasonably taken there. Sometimes the draft makes the pick for you.
Is it uneven development or a teenager trying to find himself in Pro ball?
I know the former is the easiest, but if the dev was uneven, it's amazing he made AA ball as a 20-year-old.
Obviously, the Pirates don't have stellar track record developing hitters, but I don't think you can blame that on every hitter. Just about every teenager going into pro ball is going to hit some bumps in the road. Just seems like an easy or lazy excuse to continually blame the dev team for any kid that has a struggle here or there.
Sure, if you want to use this for someone like Henry Davis, who was rushed through the minors at an historical pace.
The uneven development comment is semantics relative to what you’re saying. Plenty of legit reasons why his development could be uneven that have nothing to do with mismanagement on the Pirates part, starting with the fact that prep players are a crapshoot. We can look at those draft results and be upset that he isn’t Jackson Holliday, or you can do what I’m doing here and being grateful we didn’t end up with Elijah Greene.
I just looked at picks 5-10. Brooks Lee looks good, although I know nothing about his glove. The rest are a melange of meh.
Lee is really the only one I may want to have instead in that top 10 range. Among the rest, it looks like two busts already, two injured arms and a platoon corner OF at best.
Agree. And Lee looks ok, but I’d still rather have Termarr than Lee.
We do have to be realistic, though. MLB.com rated him only the 15th best prospect in the AFL. That’s not nothing, but as someone who bought the hype I remain somewhat disappointed.
The choice at the time was Johnson vs. Elijah Green. Green has been horrendous —- a tool kit who can’t make contact to save his life —- so in that sense I’m fine with the Johnson pick. But he does not project to be a star as things now stand.
If TJ ends up as a solid regular, that’s still a good outcome.
We already got Green, but we call him Lonnie.