© Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports
LOS ANGELES — Pierce Johnson has come a long way since being selected by the Chicago Cubs in the first round of the 2012 MLB Draft, becoming the first pitcher to be drafted during the Theo Epstein era.
But Pierce Johnson is no longer with the Cubs, and pitched a perfect inning in his debut with the San Francisco Giants on Saturday night against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
“[I felt] great,” Johnson said after the game. “It was awesome finally being able to get out there, pitching in front of that many people. When I made my debut, I think there was about 30 people in the stands with all of the rain.”
It took six years in the minor leagues before Johnson made his major league debut with the Cubs last season. He threw 29 pitches and recorded two strikeouts in one inning of work last May, but gave up a walk and two runs to the Milwaukee Brewers.
As it turned out, his time in Chicago was brief.
Shortly after, Johnson was sent back down to Triple-A Iowa and was eventually designated for assignment in mid-September to make room on the 40-man roster for Jen-Ho Tseng, one of the organization’s top pitching prospects.
“For every player that goes through that, it’s just an interesting and tough experience,” Johnson said. “Just because you don’t know what lies ahead, whether you have to sign as a free agent or if someone likes you enough to claim you.
“So, really, it was mentally draining,” Johnson added. “And physically draining too. But when I got the call that I had been claimed by the Giants, I was ecstatic.”
After being claimed by the Giants in late September, Johnson pitched phenomenally during spring training, working seven scoreless innings with only three walks and nine strikeouts.
“I definitely had a new mindset,” Johnson said. “It’s kind of something I’ve been working on. Just trying to be tough and as mentally prepared as I can. I think that really translated to a good spring.
“But I also think, sometimes a new environment helps a little bit. It puts you out of your comfort zone. You kind of have to go back to basics and really earn your part. I really enjoyed that part. It was tough at times, don’t get me wrong.”
One of those tough times for Johnson came when he was listed as one of eight players optioned to Triple-A Sacramento in the Giants’ first wave of spring training roster cuts.
However, it wasn’t long before Madison Bumgarner, Jeff Samardzija, and Mark Melancon all hit the disabled list and the Giants recalled Johnson to round out their bullpen.
“When you get told you’re going to make it to the big leagues, what an awesome feeling,” Johnson said. “But being on the Opening Day roster, especially after being optioned down and expecting to go to Triple-A, which I was totally ready to go, man, I can’t even put into words how good it felt.”
After watching two games from the bullpen, Johnson was the first pitcher out in relief of Derek Holland on Saturday night. All it took was nine pitches and key plays from the outfield for Johnson to retire Matt Kemp, Cody Bellinger, and Logan Forsythe.
“Gosh, I’ve never had a defense this good play behind me, so having that kind of confidence behind me, I can’t even tell you what it’s like,” Johnson said. “It gives you so much confidence. I mean, he’s a gold-glover for a reason and it’s awesome to see all those guys play such good defense.”
Johnson has a place with the Giants until Bumgarner, Samardzija, and Melancon return from their injuries and he’s already benefitted from the veteran presence in the clubhouse.
“This is an older crew,” Johnson said. “Some guys have been through three World Series. Some two. Some one. They just ooze confidence and I loved that. I think I fed off of that a little bit too.”
Keaton Moore covers the Giants for KNBR.com, follow Keaton on Twitter at @KeatonAMoore