Top Pirates prospects Bubba Chandler, Termarr Johnson selected to All-Star Futures Game

The top two prospects in the Pittsburgh Pirates’ minor-league system will be in the spotlight over the All-Star break.

Right-handed pitcher Bubba Chandler and infielder Termarr Johnson were selected to represent the National League in the 25th All-Star Futures Game, which will be played at 4 p.m. July 13 at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas. Johnson also will participate in the inaugural MLB Futures Skills Showcase following the Futures Game.

MLB Pipeline ranks Chandler the top prospect in the Pirates’ system and No. 52 among its top 100 prospects, with Johnson rated No. 2 for the Pirates and No. 77 overall.

Chandler, 21, a 2021 third-round pick, is 4-5 with a 4.17 ERA and .202 batting average against in 14 appearances (12 starts) for Double-A Altoona, where his 35 strikeouts last month tied for the second-most in the Eastern League. He was named the Eastern League pitcher of the week for June 17-23 after he striking out a career-high 11 batters in 6 2/3 innings against Akron, joining Tyler Glasnow (2015) and Roansy Contreras (2021) as Curve pitchers with back-to-back outings with 10 or more strikeouts.

Johnson, 20, the No. 4 overall pick in 2022, ranks first in the South Atlantic League in walks (55), seventh in on-base percentage (.379) and third in runs scored (52) for High-A Greensboro. Johnson went 4 for 6 with a double, two runs scored and two RBIs Sunday in a 16-1 win over Jersey Shore.

“It’s super exciting. Both guys deserve it,” Pirates manager Derek Shelton said before Tuesday’s game against the St. Louis Cardinals at PNC Park. “I know Termarr had four hits the other night, and Bubba is pitching the ball really well. I think it’s great for us. I think it highlights guys in our system, and it’s really important that we have people like this in the futures game. I’m really looking forward to watching them because it’s a cool opportunity.”