The Pittsburgh Pirates’ third baseman going into 2026 looks to be Jared Triolo. Triolo has always been an outstanding defender at multiple positions, especially the hot corner. His bat also took a step forward last year, but he still had a sub-par 86 wRC+ and an unimpressive .310 xwOBA. However, the Pirates have an infield prospect who has a chance to make an impact this year. That is Termarr Johnson. The downside is that Brandon Lowe currently fills Johnson’s primary position: second base. But that could just mean Johnson slides over to the hot corner to begin his Major League Baseball career.

Johnson spent his entire 2025 season at Double-A Altoona last year. He turned in a solid .272/.363/.382 triple-slash over 503 plate appearances. The infielder has always drawn walks at an above-average rate, and 2025 was no different. Johnson clocked in with an 11.7% BB rate last season. Johnson also improved his hit tool last year. He cut his K% to sub-20% at 18.5% and posted a 75.1% contact rate. Both were career-best marks. The only downside is that he hit nine home runs with a .111 isolated slugging percentage. Johnson had never hit fewer than 13 in a full season going into 2025. Still, he had a quality .348 wOBA and 111 wRC+ on the season.

An Impressive Year, Given His Circumstances

There is still more offensive upside for Johnson. He is still just 21, and doesn’t turn 22 until June 11th. Johnson was the 15th youngest position player at the Double-A level to appear in 100+ games. He also played in a very pitcher-friendly league. The league average Eastern League slugging percentage and ISO were just .362 and .130, respectively. Overall, the average OPS was .680, which is about what Oneil Cruz had last year for the Pirates at the Major League level, for reference.

A Middle Infielder, but Not for Long?

Johnson has yet to play third base as a professional. The Pirates originally drafted him as a shortstop, and he has spent most of his career at second base. He still occasionally gets reps at shortstop, but did not play there in 2025. The last time Johnson played at third base was in 2022 in the Sunbelt Baseball League, a summer ball collegiate baseball league. While Johnson has the range to play third base, his arm would be questionable at best. One of the main reasons the Pirates moved Johnson off shortstop as his primary position is that his arm strength would play better at the keystone. For what it’s worth, though, the Bucs got by just fine at the hot corner with Ke’Bryan Hayes’ defense, and he has been below the 30th percentile of arm strength every season since 2022.

However, the Pirates have at least considered getting Johnson work in at the hot corner. He has been seen taking ground balls at third base. Johnson has appeared in five Spring Training games thus far, but has only taken the field as a second baseman. His offensive upside would certainly play at the hot corner, but he needs to continue to take reps. Hopefully, we see the Pirates trot him out as a third baseman before the end of the pre-season.

The Pirates don’t have to keep Johnson at the hot corner either. Lowe is only under control through 2026. Johnson can shift back over to the keystone in 2027. Even if the Pirates re-sign Lowe, getting Johnson work in at third base this year gets him ready to handle the position in 2027 and beyond. If Triolo starts off the season cold and Johnson gets off to a hot start, we may see him overtake Triolo for the third base job. He has been one of the Pirates’ best prospects for the last few years, and 2026 may finally be his opportunity in the Major Leagues, even if it comes at an unexpected position.

 

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