Pierce Johnson Bio
Pierce William Johnson (born May 10, 1991) is an American professional baseball pitcher who is currently a free agent. He has played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Chicago Cubs, San Francisco Giants, San Diego Padres, Colorado Rockies, and Atlanta Braves, and also spent one season with the Hanshin Tigers of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). A first-round selection by the Cubs in the 2012 MLB draft out of Missouri State University, Johnson has built his career primarily as a relief pitcher, known for his work in the late innings.
Across his major league stops, Johnson has appeared as both a setup man and a closer, posting strong strikeout numbers and, at his best, dominant earned run averages. His lone All-Star recognition came during his 2019 season in Japan with the Hanshin Tigers, a year that helped re-establish him as a high-leverage arm upon his return to MLB.
Early Life and Background
Pierce William Johnson was born on May 10, 1991, and grew up in Arvada, Colorado. He attended Faith Christian Academy, where he played three seasons of varsity baseball and developed into a top pitching prospect in the state. His performance on the mound drew the attention of professional scouts before he had finished high school.
In the 2009 MLB draft, the Tampa Bay Rays selected Johnson in the 15th round. Rather than sign with Tampa Bay, Johnson chose to honor his college commitment and enrolled at Missouri State University. During his first year with the Missouri State Bears, he went 6–5 with a 4.76 ERA over 75⅔ innings, showing the workload that would become a hallmark of his development. He returned to Cape Cod in 2010 and 2011, pitching for the Harwich Mariners of the Cape Cod Baseball League, a traditional finishing school for college players.
Path to Professional Baseball
Johnson’s college and summer-league résumé convinced the Chicago Cubs to make him a first-round pick in the 2012 MLB draft. He began his professional career in the Cubs’ system, splitting his first full season between the lower minors before moving up the ladder in 2013. That year, he went 11–6 with a 2.74 ERA and 124 strikeouts in 118 innings, a performance that placed him firmly on the prospect map.
Heading into 2014, Baseball America ranked Johnson as the 87th-best prospect in baseball, and the Cubs challenged him with assignments to the Kane County Cougars and the Tennessee Smokies. He responded with a 5–5 record and a 2.54 ERA across the two levels. In 2015, he stayed at Tennessee and went 6–2 with a 2.08 ERA, holding opposing hitters to a .223 batting average, which earned him a promotion to the Triple-A Iowa Cubs. After the season, Chicago added him to its 40-man roster.
Pierce Johnson Career
Early Career (2014–2016)
Johnson’s early professional seasons were spent refining his secondary pitches and adjusting to the rigors of a full minor-league schedule. The 2014 split between Kane County and Tennessee gave him his first taste of advanced competition, and the 2015 campaign at Tennessee served as his breakout year in the minors. Across those two seasons, he posted a combined 11–7 record with a sub-2.30 ERA in the high minors.
After his promotion to Triple-A Iowa in 2015 and a brief return there in 2016, the Cubs kept him on the 40-man roster, positioning him as a near-term relief option. By the end of the 2017 season, his command of a power repertoire and his ability to miss bats had earned him a call to the major leagues.
Chicago Cubs (2017)
Johnson made his MLB debut with the Chicago Cubs in 2017, the team that had drafted him five years earlier. His time in the Cubs’ bullpen gave him his first taste of late-inning work at the highest level. The stint was brief but validated his long climb through the organization’s system.
On September 20, 2017, the Cubs designated Johnson for assignment, and he was claimed off waivers by the San Francisco Giants, ending his time with the organization that originally drafted him.
San Francisco Giants (2018)
Johnson spent the 2018 season working out of the San Francisco Giants’ bullpen. He made 37 appearances and logged 43⅔ innings, recording a 5.56 ERA with 36 strikeouts. The campaign was uneven, but he remained a reliable option for middle-inning matchups.
On November 2, 2018, the Giants removed Johnson from their 40-man roster and outrighted him to the Triple-A Sacramento River Cats. Johnson rejected the assignment and elected free agency, opening the door for a move overseas.
Hanshin Tigers (2019)
On December 8, 2018, Johnson signed with the Hanshin Tigers of Nippon Professional Baseball, beginning his first stint outside of affiliated baseball. The move to Japan provided a fresh start, and he flourished in the Central League. His strong performance earned him a selection as an NPB All-Star in 2019.
Johnson’s success with the Tigers helped reshape his career trajectory. On December 2, 2019, he became a free agent, allowing him to return to MLB on a more favorable contract.
San Diego Padres (2020–2022)
On December 23, 2019, Johnson signed a two-year contract with a third-year club option to join the San Diego Padres. In 2020, he went 3–1 with a 2.70 ERA and 27 strikeouts in 20 innings, quickly establishing himself as a dependable late-inning option.
In 2021, Johnson appeared in 63 games for the Padres, going 3–4 with a 3.22 ERA and 77 strikeouts in 58⅔ innings. On May 9, 2022, he was placed on the 60-day injured list with right elbow tendinitis, and he was activated on September 10. Despite the injury-shortened campaign, his two prior seasons in San Diego cemented his reputation as a reliable setup man.
Colorado Rockies (2023)
On December 13, 2022, Johnson signed a one-year contract with the Colorado Rockies. He opened 2023 as Colorado’s primary closer but struggled to a 7.50 ERA across 26 games, though he did convert 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.
His stint in Colorado was short-lived. Later that summer, the club moved him out of the ninth-inning role, and within weeks he was on the move again.
Atlanta Braves (2023–2025)
On July 23, 2023, Johnson was traded to the Atlanta Braves in exchange for minor league prospects Victor Vodnik and Tanner Gordon. The change of scenery proved transformative. In 24 appearances for Atlanta down the stretch, he posted a 0.76 ERA with 32 strikeouts in 23⅔ innings. On October 25, 2023, Johnson signed a two-year, $14.25 million contract extension with the Braves, a clear signal of the organization’s belief in his late-inning value.
Johnson remained a key bullpen piece for Atlanta through the end of his contract, with his tenure extending into the 2025 season.
Notable Events and Milestones
Johnson’s most dramatic stretch came after his July 2023 trade to the Braves, when he posted a 0.76 ERA in 24 appearances and helped stabilize Atlanta’s bullpen for a postseason push. That run directly led to his two-year, $14.25 million extension. His 2019 NPB All-Star selection with the Hanshin Tigers remains his most notable individual honor, and his 14 saves with Colorado in 2023 stand as his career high for a single major league season.
Pierce Johnson Family
Personal Life
Pierce William Johnson maintains a public social media presence under his handle “pjstiz,” but he has kept most details of his personal life private. There are no widely confirmed public details about his marital status, spouse, or children. He is known to be an American citizen and grew up in Arvada, Colorado, before pursuing his baseball career.
2025 Season Performance
Johnson entered the 2025 season as a member of the Atlanta Braves bullpen, working in the later innings of games. His role built on the strong finish he had posted for Atlanta after his mid-2023 trade, and his contract extension signed in October 2023 covered the bulk of his remaining time with the club.
As the 2025 season progressed, Johnson continued to provide middle and late-inning relief for the Braves, drawing on his experience as both a setup man and a former closer. His prior success in Atlanta, including the 0.76 ERA he posted immediately after the trade, made him a trusted option for high-leverage spots.
Following the conclusion of his contract, Johnson became a free agent, opening the door to evaluate his next chapter in professional baseball.