When July 17 comes around, you will have to tune in early to hear Termarr Johnson’s name. The shortstop from Mays High School in Georgia has been turning heads for a while now and will be picked in the top 4. He could be the first player off the board, and although he has a commitment to Arizona State University, he will never set foot on campus. Let’s take a look at Johnson and what he brings to the field.
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Termarr Johnson, Shortstop, Mays HS (GA)
*Height:* 5’10”
*Weight:* 180 lbs.
*DOB:* 06/11/2004
*Bats:* Left
*Throws:* Right
Scouting Grades
*Hit:* 70
*Power:* 60
*Run:* 50
*Arm:* 50
*Field:* 55
It is not always easy to find stats on High School players. Suffice it to say though that Johnson can hit. In 19 games recorded from his junior season, the left-handed hitter batted .400 with eight home runs to just three strikeouts. Coaches love his demeanor, and he wants to be great. “I want to be a Hall of Famer. I don’t want to be just get drafted,” he said in an article from MLB.com. “I don’t want to be just that role player. I want to be one of the best players in MLB.”
Strengths
Johnson’s bat is special. Some scouts actually have his hit tool at 80. He barrels the ball extremely well and his bat speed is elite. Johnson has uncommon bat control and pitch recognition for a kid his age. He loads up well and drives from his legs but keeps his hands back which allows him to manage off-speed stuff as well as 90+ fastballs. While Johnson is listed at just 5-foot-10, 180 pounds, he plays much bigger and has a strong lower half. At just 17 years old, the slugger won the Home Run Derby at Coors Field blasting six shots measured at 450+ feet. That alone should tell you the kind of power the kid has.
Defensively, Johnson is a shortstop right now, but will likely move to second base or even a corner outfield spot. His bat will play anywhere, and the High-Schooler could be a very good defender either at the keystone or in left field. Johnson’s speed is solid, and he gets moving quickly. He may not steal a ton of bases, but he can take an extra one if needed.
Weaknesses
Johnson’s only true weakness is probably his arm which is just about average. If that necessitates a move to second, then he would be a top-notch defender there with plus range. Not sticking at a premium position could have teams selecting other prospects, like Druw Jones or Elijah Green ahead of him.
Pro Comparison: Robinson Cano
Cano would be a Hall of Fame second baseman if not for the PEDs. Nevertheless, people forget what a sweet swing he had and how good he was with the New York Yankees. In his time in the Bronx, Cano slashed .309/.355/.504 winning two Gold Gloves, and finishing in the top 6 of MVP voting four times. Johnson could be that guy. While not quite as big as Cano, he has the pop and the plate discipline to bat .300. With his shortstop experience, it wouldn’t surprise me if the Georgia native won a few Gold Gloves of his own at second base.
Draft Prediction: Arizona Diamondbacks, Round 1, Pick 2
The Diamondbacks have a very good minor league system. However, only two infielders are in their top 10. They are building quite an infield with 19-year-old Jordan Lawlar at shortstop and 20-year-old A.J. Vukovich at third base. Getting Johnson to slot in at second base would give Arizona an excellent group on the dirt in a few years. With Alek Thomas showing he belongs in the majors and Corbin Carroll tearing up Double-A, this Diamondbacks lineup could be ridiculously dangerous in the near future.
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