The Atlanta Braves bullpen has certainly not been a strength of the team's roster in 2025. After having the third best bullpen in baseball by fWAR in 2024, the Braves' relievers rank just 21st in MLB so far this season with a 3.62 ERA and 3.85 FIP which is not ideal. We've already discussed at length Raisel Iglesias' struggles this season, but one guy that deserves more praise is Pierce Johnson.
When the Braves traded a pair of prospects for Johnson right before the 2023 trade deadline, most fans didn't really bat much of an eye. Alex Anthopoulos has a long history of trying to stockpile bullpen arms at the deadline and with Johnson having played in Colorado, many didn't see much to be excited about beyond a decent reliever to help down the stretch.
The Braves, however, felt very differently. After Johnson posted a 0.76 ERA in 24 appearances after the trade, Atlanta brought Johnson back on a two year deal with a club option for 2026. After a bit of a down year last season where his command faltered a bit, Johnson has quietly become the Braves' best reliever in 2025.
Pierce Johnson deserves more love and appreciation from Braves fans
It happens often that non-closing relievers who are really good get overlooked. Unless you are peak Jonny Venters, really good middle relievers and setup guys are appreciated by diehard fans, but taken for granted by the masses most of the time. However, there is no denying that Johnson is a big reason why this Braves bullpen hasn't completely imploded.
Aside from having to come in multiple times already this season to put other his teammates' fires, Johnson has been objectively great by the numbers. With a 2.30 ERA and 1.57 FIP through 17 appearances, Johnson's 0.6 fWAR ranks in the top 20 relievers in all of baseball and all but six of the other guys in the top 20 have appeared in more games than him. When Johnson does get hit, it usually pretty hard and he isn't a ground ball pitcher, but his strikeout and walk rates are great and that curve of his is in the top 8% in all of baseball in 2025.
Will Johnson be able to sustain this pace? That is hard to say. He certainly wasn't this good last year, but his performance after coming over to Atlanta in 2023 was pretty dominant. It feels as though Johnson fixed whatever his problem was last year and is back to his normal, excellent self. That is great news because the Braves would be in deep, deep trouble had he not stepped up early this season.