The Atlanta Braves have announced that their Pitcher of the Month award for September is awarded to reliever Pierce Johnson.
Johnson, 32, was acquired at the 2023 Trade Deadline from the Colorado Rockies for two minor leaguers, Victor vodnik and Tanner Gordon. A former 1st round pick in 2012, Atlanta was convinced that Johnson could improve both his 1-5 record and 6.00 ERA he had put up in 43 relief appearances for the Rockies, and set out on a course of tweaks. Those adjustments, combined with a change in venue from pitcher nightmare Coors Field to Truist Park, helped Johnson put up a 0.76 ERA over his time in Atlanta. Across his 24 appearances, he struck out 32 in 23.2 innings with a 0.887 WHIP.
In Johnson's nine appearances in September, he allowed a total of one earned run in 9.1 innings, striking out twelve and walking only two. He picked up three holds in the month and was used in some higher leverage situations, including four times pitching in the 8th inning.
Johnson's absolutely locked down a roster spot in the postseason for a team that won their last championship off of clutch home run hitting and an absolute shut down bullpen - with them sharing past experience in Colorado, it's easy to wonder if Johnson has the potential to be this postseason's Tyler Matzek.
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