American baseball player
Baseball player
Pierce William Johnson (born May 10, 1991) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the San Diego Padres of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has played in MLB for the Chicago Cubs and San Francisco Giants and for the Hanshin Tigers of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). He was drafted by the Cubs in the first round of the 2012 Major League Baseball draft out of Missouri State University.
Amateur career
Johnson was drafted by the Tampa Bay Rays in the 15th round of the 2009 Major League Baseball Draft out of Faith Christian Academy in Arvada, Colorado after playing three seasons of varsity baseball. He did not sign and attended Missouri State University. He finished his first year at Missouri State with a 6–5 record to go along with a 4.76 ERA in 75.2 IP. In 2010 and 2011, he played collegiate summer baseball with the Harwich Mariners of the Cape Cod Baseball League.[1][2]
Professional career
Chicago Cubs
Johnson was drafted by the Chicago Cubs in the first round of the 2012 Major League Baseball Draft.[3][4]
In 2013, he went 11–6 with a 2.74 earned run average 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
On September 20, 2017, Johnson was claimed off waivers by the San Francisco Giants.[9] He elected free agency on November 3, 2018.
Hanshin Tigers
On December 8, 2018, Johnson signed with the Hanshin Tigers of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB).[10]
On December 2, 2019, he become free agent.[11]
San Diego Padres
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).[12] In his first season with San Diego, Johnson recorded 27 strikeouts in 20 innings.
