Pierce William Johnson (born May 10, 1991) is an American professionalbaseballpitcher for theAtlanta Braves ofMajor League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for theChicago Cubs,San Francisco Giants,San Diego Padres andColorado Rockies and for theHanshin Tigers ofNippon Professional Baseball (NPB). He was drafted by the Cubs in the first round of the2012 MLB draft out ofMissouri State University.

Pierce Johnson
Johnson with theHanshin Tigers in 2019
Atlanta Braves – No. 38
Pitcher
Born: (1991-05-10)May 10, 1991 (age 33) Denver, Colorado, U.S.
Bats: Right Throws: Right
Professional debut
MLB: May 19, 2017, for the Chicago Cubs
NPB: March 29, 2019, for the Hanshin Tigers
MLB statistics (through 2024 season)
Win–loss record	18–21
Earned run average	3.96
Strikeouts	320
Saves	15
NPB statistics (through 2019 season)
Win–loss record	2–3
Earned run average	1.38
Strikeouts	91
Stats atBaseball Reference
Teams
Chicago Cubs (2017) San Francisco Giants (2018) Hanshin Tigers (2019) San Diego Padres (2020–2022) Colorado Rockies (2023) Atlanta Braves (2023–present)
Career highlights and awards
NPB NPB All-Star (2019)

Johnson attended Faith Christian Academy inArvada, Colorado, where he played baseball for three seasons on thevarsity team. TheTampa Bay Rays selected him in the 15th round of the2009 Major League Baseball draft. He did not sign and attendedMissouri State University, where he playedcollege baseball for theMissouri State Bears. He finished his first year at Missouri State with a 6–5win–loss record and a 4.76earned run average (ERA) in75+2⁄3innings pitched. In 2010 and 2011, he playedcollegiate summer baseball with theHarwich Mariners of theCape Cod Baseball League.^[1][2]

TheChicago Cubs selected Johnson in the first round of the2012 Major League Baseball draft.^[3][4] In 2013, he went 11–6 with a 2.74 ERA and 124strikeouts in 118 innings pitched.^[5] Prior to the 2014 season, he was ranked byBaseball America as the 87th best prospect in baseball.^[6] The Cubs added him to their40-man roster after the 2015 season.^[7]

Johnson spent 2014 with both theKane County Cougars and theTennessee Smokies where he posted a 5–5 record with a 2.54 ERA. Johnson stayed with the Smokies during the 2015 season, where he posted a 6–2 record with a 2.08 ERA, holding batters to a .223batting average. After his success in Tennessee, Johnson was promoted to the Triple-AIowa Cubs, where he posted a 4–6 record with a 6.14 ERA.^[8]

On September 20, 2017, Johnson was claimed off waivers by theSan Francisco Giants.^[9]

In 2018, Johnson made 37 appearances out of thebullpen for the Giants, recording a 5.56 ERA with 36 strikeouts across43+2⁄3 innings pitched. On November 2, he was removed from the 40–man roster and sent outright to the Triple–ASacramento River Cats.^[10] However, Johnson rejected the assignment and subsequently elected free agency.^[11]

On December 8, 2018, Johnson signed with theHanshin Tigers ofNippon Professional Baseball (NPB).^[12] On December 2, 2019, he became a free agent.^[13]

On December 23, 2019, Johnson signed a two-year contract which includes a third-year club option with theSan Diego Padres ofMajor League Baseball (MLB).^[14] In his first season with San Diego, Johnson recorded a 3-1 record and 2.70 ERA with 27 strikeouts in 20 innings. Johnson made 63 appearances for the Padres in 2021, logging a 3-4 record and 3.22 ERA with 77 strikeouts in58+2⁄3 innings pitched.

On May 9, 2022, Johnson was placed on the 60-day injured list with right elbow tendinitis.^[15] He was activated from the injured list on September 10.^[16]

On December 13, 2022, Johnson signed a one-year contract with theColorado Rockies.^[17] Johnson began the 2023 season as Colorado's primarycloser, but struggled to a 7.50 ERA across 26 games despite 14 saves. On June 9, 2023, the Rockies announced that Johnson would be removed from the closer role, withJustin Lawrence andJake Bird named as candidates to fill the position.^[18]

On July 23, 2023, Johnson was traded to theAtlanta Braves in exchange for minor league prospectsVictor Vodnik andTanner Gordon.^[19] In 24 appearances for Atlanta, he posted a stellar 0.76 ERA with 32 strikeouts in23+2⁄3 innings of work. On October 25, Johnson signed a two–year, $14.25 million contract extension with the Braves.^[20][21]

• Career statistics fromMLB, orESPN, orBaseball Reference, orFangraphs, orBaseball Reference (Minors), orRetrosheet
• Missouri State Bears bio
• Prospect Watch: Pierce Johnson making Cubs take notice