Derek Law

Derek Robert Law (born September 14, 1990) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Cincinnati Reds of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the San Francisco Giants, Toronto Blue Jays, Minnesota Twins, and Detroit Tigers.

Derek Law
Law with the Toronto Blue Jays
Cincinnati Reds – No. 47
Pitcher
Born: (1990-09-14) September 14, 1990
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
MLB debut
April 15, 2016, for the San Francisco Giants
MLB statistics
(through 2023 season)
Win–loss record16–14
Earned run average4.08
Strikeouts240
Teams

Early life

Law attended Seton-La Salle Catholic High School in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and played for the school's baseball team. He was a two-time Pittsburgh All-Area baseball selection (2008 and 2009),[1] The Texas Rangers selected Law in the 28th round of the 2009 Major League Baseball draft, but he did not sign.

College career

Law attended Miami Dade College.[2] In his sophomore year at Miami Dade, Law posted an 8–5 win–loss record with a 2.35 earned run average (ERA) while striking out 121 batters in 92 innings pitched.[3]

Professional career

Draft and minor leagues

The San Francisco Giants selected Law in the ninth round of the 2011 Major League Baseball draft, and he signed with the Giants. He made his professional debut with the Arizona League Giants in 2011. In 15 games he had a 2.50 ERA with 19 strikeouts over 18 innings pitched. In 2012, he pitched for the Augusta GreenJackets, posting a 2.91 ERA with 67 strikeouts over 55+2⁄3 innings.

Law spent the 2013 season pitching for the GreenJackets, AZL Giants and San Jose Giants. He finished the year with 2.31 ERA, 14 saves and 102 strikeouts over 66+1⁄3 innings. At San Jose, Law struck out 45 hitters while only walking one hitter. Prior to the 2014 season, he was invited to the Giants spring training, where he has competed for a spot in the Giants Opening Day bullpen.[4][5][6]

Law pitching for the San Francisco Giants in 2016

In 2014, Law pitched for the Double-A Richmond Flying Squirrels, recording 13 saves in 14 opportunities and striking out 29 in 28 innings pitched.[7] Law underwent Tommy John surgery in June 2014 and did not return until June 2015.[7] Law was added to the Giants' 40-man roster in November 2014 to protect him from the Rule 5 draft.[8] In 2015, Law recorded 32 strikeouts in 252⁄3 innings for the Flying Squirrels.

Law started the 2016 season with the Triple-A Sacramento River Cats.[9]

San Francisco Giants (2016–2018)

Law was called up to the San Francisco Giants on April 15, 2016, to replace the injured Sergio Romo.[10] Law made his major league debut in a game later that day against the Los Angeles Dodgers. He entered the game in the bottom of the seventh inning and allowed one hit while striking out three batters.[11]

On May 7, Law earned his first major league victory by holding the Colorado Rockies scoreless in one inning of relief.[12] On June 13, Law pitched 1+1⁄3 scoreless innings against the Milwaukee Brewers to record his first major league save.[13] In 61 games, he posted an ERA of 2.13 in 55 innings.

The following season, he struggled with inconsistency, posting an ERA of 5.06 in 37+1⁄3 innings. In 2018, he only appeared in 7 games for the Giants, spending most of his time in the AAA level.

Toronto Blue Jays (2019)

Law was designated for assignment on February 1, 2019, following the waiver claim of John Andreoli and outrighted on February 10. On April 2, 2019, the Giants traded Law, Alen Hanson, and Juan De Paula to the Toronto Blue Jays for Kevin Pillar.[14] He was called up from the Triple A Buffalo Bisons on May 3.[15] Law was non-tendered by the Blue Jays on December 2, making him a free agent.[16]

Texas Rangers

On January 30, 2020, Law signed a minor league deal with the Texas Rangers organization. Law did not play in a game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league season because of the COVID-19 pandemic.[17] He became a free agent following the season on November 2.

Minnesota Twins (2021)

On November 23, 2020, Law announced on Twitter that he had signed a minor league contract with the Minnesota Twins organization.[18] On May 8, 2021, Law was selected to the active roster.[19] After recording an 8.53 ERA in 5 games, Law was designated for assignment on May 18, 2021.[20] He was outrighted to the Triple-A St. Paul Saints on May 20.[21] On July 1, Law was re-selected to the active roster.[22] Law was again designated for assignment by the Twins on September 5, after Luke Farrell was activated off of the injured list.[23] Law made 9 appearances for the Twins in 2021, recording a 4.20 ERA with 14 strikeouts. On October 4, Law elected free agency.[24]

Detroit Tigers (2022)

On April 9, 2022, Law signed a minor league contract with the Detroit Tigers organization.[25] Law was assigned Rookie-Level FCL Tigers East. On April 14, 2022, Law was sent to the Triple–A Toledo Mud Hens. The Tigers promoted Law to the major leagues on July 30.[26] Law was designated for assignment by the Tigers on August 5, 2022.[27] He was released on August 7.

Cincinnati Reds (2022–present)

On August 14, 2022, Law signed a minor league contract with the Cincinnati Reds and was assigned to the Triple-A Louisville Bats.[28] He had his contract selected on August 30. He made 15 appearances for Cincinnati down the stretch, recording a 2-2 record and 4.08 ERA with 15 strikeouts in 17.2 innings pitched. On November 15, Law was designated for assignment. On November 18, he was non-tendered and became a free agent.

On January 23, 2023, Law re-signed with the Reds organization on a minor league contract.[29] On March 27, the Reds announced that Law had made the Opening Day roster, and would have his contract selected to the 40-man roster.[30]

Personal life

His father, Joe Law, played minor league baseball in the Oakland Athletics organization. He was called up to the majors for four days but never appeared in a game [31] making him a phantom ballplayer.

References
  1. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, June 21, 2009, C-8
  2. Cooper, J.J. (October 15, 2013). "Giants Derek Law Finishes Hitters With Funk". Baseball America.
  3. Koch, Joe (August 4, 2001). "Seton-LaSalle Grad Turns Pro". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. p. S-10. Retrieved July 30, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. Schulman, Henry (February 20, 2014). "Young Derek Law could force his way into Giants' bullpen". San Francisco Chronicle.
  5. Pavlovic, Alex (March 27, 2014). "Derek Law makes bid to make San Francisco Giants with strong spring". Bay Area News Group.
  6. Pavlovic, Alex (February 28, 2014). "San Francisco Giants' bullpen has surprise contender". Bay Area News Group.
  7. O'Connor, John (July 7, 2015). "Squirrels Insider: Derek Law rebounds from Tommy John Surgery". Richmond Times-Dispatch.
  8. Pavlovic, Alex (November 20, 2014). "OFFSEASON NOTES: Giants add four right-handers to 40-man roster, Gutierrez DFA'd". Bay Area News Group.
  9. "River Cats announce 2016 Opening Day roster" (Press release). Sacramento River Cats. April 6, 2016.
  10. Schulman, Henry (April 15, 2016). "Giants infielder Adrianza joins Romo on disabled list". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved April 15, 2016.
  11. Haft, Chris (April 15, 2016). "Law shines in MLB debut vs. Dodgers". MLB.com.
  12. Schulman, Henry (May 7, 2016). "Giants win on 13th on Duffy walk-off". San Francisco Chronicle.
  13. "Milwaukee 5 - 11 San Francisco: Final | 2016-06-14 | Major League Baseball | Yahoo! Sports".
  14. "Giants land Pillar from Blue Jays for 3 players". MLB.com. April 2, 2019. Retrieved April 2, 2019.
  15. "Blue Jays select contract of RHP Derek Law, DFA Alen Hanson". May 3, 2019. Retrieved May 3, 2019.
  16. "Blue Jays tender Matt Shoemaker, non-tender three players". Sportsnet. December 2, 2019. Retrieved December 2, 2019.
  17. "2020 Minor League Baseball season cancelled". mlb.com. Retrieved March 18, 2023.
  18. "Twins Sign Eight Players to Minor League Deals". December 17, 2020.
  19. "Latest Roster Moves from Twins, Orioles". May 8, 2021.
  20. "Twins Designate Derek Law for Assignment". May 18, 2021.
  21. "Minor MLB Transactions: 5/21/21". May 21, 2021.
  22. "Twins Designate Matt Shoemaker For Assignment". MLB Trade Rumors. July 2021.
  23. "Twins reinstate Luke Farrell, designate fellow righty Derek Law for assignment". September 5, 2021.
  24. Anthony Franco (October 7, 2021). "Players Recently Electing Free Agency". MLB Trade Rumors. Retrieved October 7, 2021.
  25. "Tigers sign pitcher who acted as human shield in the Las Vegas shooting to a minor league deal". mlive. April 14, 2022. Retrieved April 14, 2022.
  26. "Tigers Select Derek Law". July 30, 2022.
  27. "Tigers Designate Derek Law For Assignment". MLB Trade Rumors. Retrieved August 5, 2022.
  28. "Reds Sign Derek Law To Minor League Deal". MLB Trade Rumors. August 14, 2022. Retrieved August 24, 2022.
  29. "Reds' Derek Law: Back with Cincinnati". cbssports.com. Retrieved January 23, 2023.
  30. "Reds' Derek Law: Pitches way on to Opening Day squad". cbssports.com. Retrieved March 27, 2023.
  31. White, Mike (April 29, 2009). "Speed is the ticket for Seton-LaSalle's Law". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
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