Pitching coach Rick Kranitz is pushing all the right buttons for Pierce Johnson

Sometimes all you need to change your season is a change of scenery. Pierce Johnson started the 2023 season with the Colorado Rockies, where he appeared in 43 games and had a 1-5 record with a 6.00 ERA. Giving up an average of six runs per game is not going to win you any awards and it usually won't get you many looks as far as trades are concerned, but Alex Anthopoulos saw something he liked in the veteran reliever.

On July 24, 2023, AA would trade minor-league pitchers Tanner Gordon and Victor Vodnik to the Rockies in exchange for Johnson. Anthopoulos trusted in Rick Kranitz, the Braves pitching coach, to get the best out of Johnson. So far, he appears to have done just that. 

Pierce Johnson has made 13 appearances for the Atlanta Braves this year and he has a 1-1 record with a 0.69 ERA, as he has given up only one earned run in 13 innings pitched. He has gone from a guy in Colorado that they cringed to see on the mound to a guy that you feel confident throwing out there in a rough situation in Atlanta. He is part of why the Braves bullpen has been so good in August. 

Opposing hitters only have a .217 batting average against him since he has come to Atlanta. That's the best BAA for him since he pitched for the Padres in 2020. A change in scenery is just what the doctor ordered for Pierce Johnson. He went from the most hitter-friendly ballpark in the MLB to a park that is more favorable to pitchers, and has stepped up his own performance in return.