Termarr Johnson was spotted walking through the tunnel underneath PNC Park late Thursday night, a sign that the Pittsburgh Pirates could be close to signing their first-round draft pick.
Johnson, 18, a middle infielder from Atlanta Mays High School who was the No. 4 overall pick in the 2022 MLB Draft, attended the Pirates’ game against the Philadelphia Phillies and walked past the interview room as reporters were waiting to speak with Pirates manager Derek Shelton after the 8-7 loss.
Slot value for the No. 4 pick is a $7,005,800 signing bonus, although the Pirates could offer more money to entice Johnson to bypass his college commitment to Arizona State.
More Pirates draft news:
• ‘We believe in him’: Pirates impressed by 1st-rounder Termarr Johnson’s confident approach
• Pirates pick prep middle infielder Termarr Johnson with No. 4 overall pick in MLB Draft
• ‘You can’t outsmart the draft’: Pirates focus on best player available with No. 4 overall pick
A source told the Tribune-Review that Johnson has not signed with the Pirates yet but is expected to take a physical examination Friday, typically one of the final steps in the process before signing a contract. Teams have until Aug. 1 to sign players selected in the MLB Draft. The Pirates have signed 17 of their 21 picks, including all of their top 12 selections with the exception of Johnson.
MLB Pipeline senior writer Jim Callis projects Johnson, a left-handed hitter who is considered the top bat in the draft in decades, to be one of the 10 players drafted with a quick path to the majors.
After being drafted by the Pirates on July 17, Johnson hinted that he was planning to play professionally.
“Honestly, at the end of the day, everything comes in God’s time,” Johnson said on a video conference call with Pittsburgh reporters that night. “I don’t know what’ll happen today or tomorrow, whether I’ll sign tomorrow or next week or even at the deadline. But I know that God has a plan for me and that He is going to put me in the best position to be the best person and player that I can be.”
