Wikipedia

Pierce Johnson

Pierce William Johnson (born May 10, 1991) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Atlanta Braves of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Chicago Cubs, San Francisco Giants, San Diego Padres and Colorado Rockies and for the Hanshin Tigers of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). He was drafted by the Cubs in the first round of the 2012 MLB draft out of Missouri State University.

Pierce Johnson
Johnson with the Hanshin 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 record18–21
Earned run average3.96
Strikeouts320
Saves15
NPB statistics
(through 2019 season)
Win–loss record2–3
Earned run average1.38
Strikeouts91
Teams
Career highlights and awards
NPB

Amateur career

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Johnson attended Faith Christian Academy in Arvada, Colorado, where he played baseball for three seasons on the varsity team. The Tampa Bay Rays selected him in the 15th round of the 2009 Major League Baseball draft. He did not sign and attended Missouri State University, where he played college baseball for the Missouri State Bears. He finished his first year at Missouri State with a 6–5 win–loss record and a 4.76 earned run average (ERA) in 75+2⁄3 innings pitched. In 2010 and 2011, he played collegiate summer baseball with the Harwich Mariners of the Cape Cod Baseball League.[1][2]

Professional career

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Chicago Cubs

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The Chicago Cubs selected Johnson in the first round of the 2012 Major League Baseball draft.[3][4] In 2013, he went 11–6 with a 2.74 ERA and 124 strikeouts in 118 innings pitched.[5] Prior to the 2014 season, he was ranked by Baseball America as the 87th best prospect in baseball.[6] The Cubs added him to their 40-man roster after the 2015 season.[7]

Johnson spent 2014 with both the Kane County Cougars and the Tennessee 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 .223 batting average. After his success in Tennessee, Johnson was promoted to the Triple-A Iowa Cubs, where he posted a 4–6 record with a 6.14 ERA.[8]

San Francisco Giants

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

In 2018, Johnson made 37 appearances out of the bullpen for the Giants, recording a 5.56 ERA with 36 strikeouts across 43+2⁄3 innings pitched. On November 2, he was removed from the 40–man roster and sent outright to the Triple–A Sacramento River Cats.[10] However, Johnson rejected the assignment and subsequently elected free agency.[11]

Hanshin Tigers

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On December 8, 2018, Johnson signed with the Hanshin Tigers of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB).[12] On December 2, 2019, he became a free agent.[13]

San Diego Padres

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On December 23, 2019, Johnson signed a two-year contract which includes a third-year club option with the San Diego Padres of Major 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 in 58+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]

Colorado Rockies

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On December 13, 2022, Johnson signed a one-year contract with the Colorado Rockies.[17] Johnson began the 2023 season as Colorado's primary closer, 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, with Justin Lawrence and Jake Bird named as candidates to fill the position.[18]

Atlanta Braves

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

References

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  1. ^ "#19 Pierce Johnson". pointstreak.com. Retrieved September 25, 2019.
  2. ^ "#19 Pierce Johnson". pointstreak.com. Retrieved September 25, 2019.
  3. ^ "Cubs start restocking pitchers in Draft". Chicago.cubs.mlb.com. May 24, 2013. Archived from the original on June 14, 2012. Retrieved November 20, 2013.
  4. ^ "Missouri State's Johnson ready for big leagues". Foxsportsmidwest.com. June 5, 2012. Retrieved November 20, 2013.
  5. ^ "Former MSU pitcher climbing ranks of Cubs organization". News-leader.com. Retrieved November 20, 2013.
  6. ^ "Top 100 MLB Prospects 2014".
  7. ^ "Cubs make roster moves for Rule 5 Draft". MLB.com. Archived from the original on November 21, 2015.
  8. ^ "Pierce Johnson Stats, Highlights, Bio - MiLB.com Stats - The Official Site of Minor League Baseball". MiLB.com.
  9. ^ Adams, Steve (September 20, 2017). "Giants Claim Pierce Johnson Off Waivers, Transfer Brandon Belt To 60-Day DL". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved September 20, 2017.
  10. ^ "Minor MLB Transactions: 11/3/18". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved June 22, 2024.
  11. ^ "Minor League Free Agents 2018". baseballamerica.com. Retrieved June 21, 2024.
  12. ^ Adams, Steve (December 7, 2018). "Minor MLB Transactions: 12/7/18". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved December 7, 2018.
  13. ^ "2019年度 自由契約選手". NPB.jp 日本野球機構 (in Japanese). Retrieved December 22, 2019.
  14. ^ "Padres Sign RHP Pierce Johnson To Two-year Contract". FriarWire. December 23, 2019. Retrieved December 23, 2019.
  15. ^ "Padres' Pierce Johnson: Shifts to 60-day injured list". cbssports.com. Retrieved February 7, 2023.
  16. ^ "Padres' Pierce Johnson: Activated by Padres". cbssports.com. Retrieved June 17, 2023.
  17. ^ Harding, Thomas (December 13, 2022). "Pierce Johnson, Rockies finalize 1-year deal". MLB.com. Retrieved December 13, 2022.
  18. ^ "Rockies' Pierce Johnson: Loses closer role". cbssports.com. Retrieved June 11, 2023.
  19. ^ "Braves acquire Pierce Johnson, Taylor Hearn to boost bullpen". ESPN.com. Associated Press. July 24, 2023. Retrieved July 25, 2023.
  20. ^ Bowman, Mark (October 25, 2023). "Pierce Johnson re-signs with Braves for 2 years, $14.25 million". MLB.com. Retrieved October 25, 2023.
  21. ^ "Braves re-sign Pierce Johnson to $14.25M, 2-year deal". ESPN.com. Associated Press. October 25, 2023. Retrieved October 26, 2023.
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