Pierce JohnsonCIN · RP

2026 review

Pierce Johnson worked out of the CIN bullpen all year, a 4.62 ERA and 1.36 WHIP in 48.2 IP over 56 games with a 19.9 K% and a 9.0 BB% over 211 BF, picking up 1 SV and 8 HLD against 2 BS. He signed as a free agent Jan 15, went on the bereavement list May 3 before being activated May 6, then was placed on the 15-day IL May 30 for right elbow inflammation, took a rehab assignment Jun 18, and was activated Jun 22, missing 26 regular-season days. A rare pick at NFBC ADP rank 918, taken in just 38 of 674 drafts, he finished 844th of 1472 overall in the TDK LABS 5x5 value rank and 410th of 575 relievers. His ERA ran 0.30 below his 4.92 xERA over 211 BF, and he was rougher after the IL stint, a 5.74 ERA in 26.2 IP against a 3.27 ERA in 22.0 IP before it. The TDK LABS card tracked his role shifting across the year, from reinstated into a fluid pen in late Jun to a leverage arm in the closer mix by late Aug to a middle reliever with limited hold or save access by late Sep.