Pirates 2024 Futures Game Recap: Termarr Johnson, Bubba Chandler

Two of the top prospects in the Pittsburgh Pirates' farm system helped the National League cruise to a 6-1 win over the American League Saturday at the All-Star Futures Game at Globe Life Field.

Termarr Johnson, the Pirates’ top pick (No. 4 overall) in 2022 and MLB Pipeline’s No. 76 prospect, started Saturday's game at second base and batted third in a stacked lineup. He went 1-for-2 with a single in the game before going on to participate in the inaugural Futures Skills Showcase that aired Sunday morning. Johnson accrued points early with well-placed bunts, but fell by the wayside in the final round, the home run derby-style "Swing For The Fences" competition, ultimately losing to Boston Red Sox prospect Roman Anthony.

Bubba Chandler, the Pirates’ top prospect (MLB Pipeline's No. 51 prospect) came out of the bullpen to pitch a scoreless seventh inning to close out the All-Star Futures Game. He allowed one hit and one walk.

Termarr Johnson, Bubba Chandler ride hot streaks into All-Star break

Johnson got off to somewhat of an underwhelming start in his first year of full-season pro ball with Class A Greensboro, but he seems to be hitting his stride as of late. Over his past 30 games, he has slashed 302/.415/.474 with five home runs and 18 RBI.

Chandler got off to a similarly slow start this season at Double-A Altoona, posting an 8.74 ERA and a 1.59 WHIP through the end of May. But he, too, has been riding a hot streak of his own, sporting a 1.80 ERA and 0.69 WHIP since the beginning of June.

Chandler, who was drafted out of high school as a two-way prospect, made the permanent switch to pitcher last season. Since then, he has been the Pirates' top overall prospect, and it's exciting to think of him joining the likes of Jared Jones, Paul Skenes and Mitch Keller at the major league level to build a rotation that can help the Pirates be competitive for several years to come.

Jones, also drafted out of high school just one year earlier than Chandler, has skyrocketed through the organization, making his MLB debut earlier this season and becoming a key piece of the Pirates' starting rotation before landing on the injured list July 5. Chandler's timeline has been very different – he's logged 68 2/3 innings at Altoona without even sniffing a call-up to Triple-A Indianapolis – but if he continues to pitch for Altoona the way he has leading up to the All-Star break, he could be fast-tracked sooner than later.

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