From MLB Develops to repping USA vs. Japan, top prospect Johnson rising fast

TOKYO -- Move over, Shohei Ohtani and Mike Trout.

It’s time for a new chapter in the baseball rivalry between Japan and the United States, 611 days after the unforgettable conclusion to the 2023 World Baseball Classic.

The global powerhouses meet Thursday at the Tokyo Dome (7 p.m. local, 5 a.m. ET) to open the Super Round at the WBSC Premier12.

Team Japan features many top players in Nippon Professional Baseball, albeit with notable absences due to posting for MLB teams (Roki Sasaki) and injuries (Munetaka Murakami, Kazuma Okamoto). Team USA’s mostly youthful selection is limited to players not currently on Major League 40-man rosters.

Plenty of international baseball observers will describe the Americans as underdogs against Hiroto Takahashi, an emerging NPB ace who has drawn comparisons to Dodgers star Yoshinobu Yamamoto.

Before a singing, chanting crowd of more than 50,000, the Mike Scioscia-managed Team USA will walk into an environment that feels -- and sounds -- like the World Series.

They welcome the challenge.

“I’m trying to come in and take one from Japan — and take it all from Japan,” said Termarr Johnson, Team USA’s energetic second baseman and the Pirates' No. 3 prospect and No. 75 overall in the latest MLBPipeline.com rankings.

“I’m excited to do that. Whatever it takes. We’re going to be focused on the game, not so much the stands and everybody. I know it’s going to be loud. Everybody’s going to be against us. But it’s only us. It’s only us. It’s always going to be only us. I’m excited.”

The confidence of the 20-year-old Georgia native reflects two aspects of Team USA’s identity: They are prospect-laden and not intimidated by Samurai Japan’s 24-game winning streak across all competitions.

Japan stands atop the WBSC men’s baseball world rankings. The last defeat for their senior national team was almost exactly five years ago. That loss came against the U.S. during the 2019 Premier12 -- precisely the same opponent, round and venue as Thursday’s game.

Samurai Japan responded to that loss with three straight victories, including a win over Korea in the gold medal game. Japan went unbeaten at the pandemic-delayed 2020 Tokyo Olympics, 2023 World Baseball Classic and 2023 Asia Professional Championships. And they’ve won five straight to begin this Premier12.

The ’17 Classic was the most recent senior men’s title for USA Baseball, but the country’s developmental pipeline has shown impressive results since then. Johnson played for USA Baseball’s 15U and 18U teams during previous international tournaments. Johnson and Team USA center fielder Justin Crawford (Phillies' No. 4 prospect) met through their participation in MLB Develops programs, including the Breakthrough Series and Dream Series.

“Our first time meeting each other was when we were 14U, doing the National Team Development Program,” Johnson recalled. “It’s a full circle moment. It’s great to be with him ... It’s amazing to be with him and have that connection.”

Johnson said the MLB Develops program changed his life.

“I wouldn’t be here today without it, honestly -- without the help of Marquis Grissom, LaTroy Hawkins, Tony Reagins, and everybody who’s given me the opportunity to be in this position,” Johnson said. “I’m definitely grateful to every single coach, every single staff member, every single person that has shaped me to [be] where I’m at today. I’m going to continue to keep on trending upwards because of the lessons they’ve taught me.”

Johnson, the youngest player on the U.S. roster, is a major reason his team advanced out of the group stage. He’s played in all five games thus far, posting a 1.144 OPS that included a two-run home run in the clinching win over Mexico.

“He has probably the most energy [of anyone] I’ve ever played with,” said Ryan Ward, the Team USA cleanup man. “He’s a nonstop guy. He loves baseball. He works hard. He’s a good guy to be around, especially if you’re down. He’s not going to let you be down for long. He doesn’t go down. He’s just riding the whole time, ready to go.

“It’s fun to be around him. ... He’s been a great guy to have on the team. He’s had some good hits, some unreal plays.”

Johnson reached Double-A at the end of the 2024 regular season and had an impressive showing at the Arizona Fall League (.919 OPS) before departing for Team USA’s training camp.

Asked how the Premier12 will help him move closer to the dream of making his Major League debut, Johnson said, “I’m honestly just worried about trying to get a gold medal now. I’m so focused on that. I’m so focused on trying to bring it back for America, not necessarily worried about too much of the future. I can only focus on the next three or four days, make sure I do my best here. When it’s all said and done, then I can think about what’s next.”

The Super Round begins with three days of round-robin play among the four remaining teams. Team USA meets Chinese Taipei on Friday and Venezuela on Saturday. Sunday’s medal round will be determined by the standings after Saturday: The top two play for gold, the bottom two for bronze.

Samurai Japan’s last defeat with a medal on the line was more than seven years ago -- to Team USA in the semifinal of the ’17 Classic.

Perhaps Thursday’s game will be the first of two this weekend between Japan and the U.S.

“I’m excited to be able to bring it back for my country,” Johnson said. “I love my country so much. It’s a lot that comes with [representing] it. Me being able to do that on the highest stage possible is a blessing. I’m thankful to God for it.”