The Pittsburgh Pirates’ top two prospects, Bubba Chandler and Termarr Johnson, have been selected to participate in the 2024 Futures Game. Chandler, 21, is a right-handed starting pitcher who ranks as the Pirates’ No. 1 prospect (No. 52 MLB). Second baseman Johnson, 20, is the Pirates’ No. 2 prospect (No. 77 MLB) and first-round pick in the 2022 June Amateur Draft.
Top Two Prospects Will Represent Pirates at Futures Game https://t.co/zB235B1aD7
— John Perrotto (@JPerrotto) July 2, 2024
Chandler and Johnson Named to Futures Game
Chandler was drafted third in 2021 as a two-way player. Alas, not everybody can be Shohei Ohtani. Since hitting .189 for three minor league teams in 2021-22, Chandler became strictly a pitcher in 2023. So far, 2024 has seen him make significant strides on the mound. His peripheral numbers are encouraging despite a 4-5 record and 4.17 ERA at Double-A Altoona. His WHIP is 1.148. Additionally, he’s struck out 11.3 per nine innings and has a 3.09 strikeout-to-walk ratio. Chandler features a fastball that can reach the upper 90s and an upper-80s slider.
The Pirates are big on the left-handed-swinging Johnson, with good reason. Drafted as a shortstop out of high school, the Pirates feel he’s better suited for second base. With the big club in spring training, he looked and acted like he belonged. In the exhibition games, he was 7-for-18 with two long home runs on seemingly effortless swings. Johnson has since come back to Earth just a bit with Single-A+ Greensboro, where he’s hitting just .226. However, the Pirates are surely pleased with his .379 OBP and seven home runs in 72 games. He profiles as a consistent hard-contact hitter.
Another High-Profile Showcase for Chandler and Johnson
The Futures Game will be the second high-profile showcase for Chandler and Johnson. After participating in the Pirates’ spring training as non-roster invitees, they were chosen for the inaugural Spring Breakout Game. Chandler was impressive in working a scoreless seventh inning to record a save. Johnson was 1-for-3 on that day but was overshadowed by the splendid work of the six Pirates pitchers, who combined to throw a one-hitter against the Baltimore Orioles prospects. This time, Johnson will get his chance in the spotlight when he participates in the first-ever Futures Skills Showcase following the game. He’s one of just eight players chosen for the skills competition.
On TV
Officially known as the All-Star Futures Game, it airs on the MLB Network on Saturday, July 13, at 4:00 PM Eastern. Once again, it will pit the National League and American League prospects against one another. The previous, confusing format that featured the United States against the World was thankfully discontinued in 2019.
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