1. Overview
Derek Robert Law is an American professional baseball pitcher who currently plays for the Washington Nationals of Major League Baseball (MLB). Born on September 14, 1990, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Law has had a career marked by significant milestones, including his Major League Baseball debut with the San Francisco Giants in 2016, a period that showcased his potential as a reliable relief pitcher. His professional journey has seen him play for multiple MLB organizations, including the Toronto Blue Jays, Minnesota Twins, Detroit Tigers, and Cincinnati Reds, in addition to his current tenure with the Nationals.
2. Early life and Amateur Career
Derek Law's early life and amateur baseball career laid the foundation for his professional aspirations, demonstrating his talent and dedication from high school through college.
2.1. Childhood and High School
Derek Robert Law was born on September 14, 1990, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He attended Seton-La Salle Catholic High School in Pittsburgh, where he played for the school's baseball team. During his high school career, Law distinguished himself as a two-time Pittsburgh All-Area baseball selection in both 2008 and 2009. His performance drew early attention, leading to his selection by the Texas Rangers in the 28th round of the 2009 Major League Baseball draft. However, Law chose not to sign with the Rangers, opting instead to pursue a college baseball career.
2.2. College Career
Following high school, Law attended Miami Dade College. During his sophomore year at Miami Dade, he was a key pitcher for the college's team. In that season, Law achieved an 8-5 win-loss record with a 2.35 ERA. He also demonstrated his strikeout ability, recording 121 strikeouts across 92 innings pitched of play.
3. Professional Career
Derek Law's professional baseball career began in 2011 and has spanned several Major League Baseball organizations, characterized by his roles as a relief pitcher and his resilience through injuries and team transitions.
3.1. Draft and Minor Leagues
The San Francisco Giants selected Law in the ninth round of the 2011 Major League Baseball draft, as the 297th overall pick. He officially signed with the Giants on July 12, 2011. Law made his professional debut the same year with the rookie-level Arizona League Giants. In his first professional season, he appeared in 15 games, achieving a 2.50 ERA with 19 strikeouts over 18 innings pitched.
In 2012, Law pitched for the Class A Augusta GreenJackets, where he recorded a 5-2 win-loss record and a 2.91 ERA, along with 67 strikeouts across 55.67 innings pitched. The 2013 season saw Law play across three levels of the Giants' minor league system: the rookie-level Arizona League Giants, Class A Augusta, and Class A-Advanced San Jose Giants. Across all three teams, he posted a combined 5-3 win-loss record, a 2.31 ERA, and registered 102 strikeouts over 66.33 innings pitched. Notably, while with the San Jose Giants, Law struck out 45 hitters while issuing only one walk, showcasing exceptional control. Ahead of the 2014 season, he was invited to the Giants' spring training, competing for a spot in the Opening Day bullpen.
In 2014, Law continued his ascent, pitching for the Double-A Richmond Flying Squirrels. He secured 13 saves in 14 opportunities, striking out 29 batters in 28 innings pitched, and maintained a 2-0 record with a 2.57 ERA. However, his season was cut short when he underwent Tommy John surgery in July 2014, sidelining him until June 2015. To protect him from the Rule 5 draft, Law was added to the Giants' 40-man roster in November 2014. Upon his return in 2015, he recorded 32 strikeouts in 25.67 innings pitched for the Flying Squirrels, finishing the year with a 0-1 record and a 4.56 ERA in 28 appearances. He began the 2016 season with the Triple-A Sacramento River Cats.
3.2. San Francisco Giants (2016-2018)
Derek Law received his first call-up to the San Francisco Giants on April 15, 2016, to replace the injured Sergio Romo. He made his Major League Baseball debut later that day against the Los Angeles Dodgers, entering the game in the bottom of the seventh inning. In his debut, he allowed one hit while striking out three batters. On May 7, Law earned his first major league victory, holding the Colorado Rockies scoreless during one inning of relief. He recorded his first major league save on June 13, pitching 1.33 innings pitched of scoreless baseball against the Milwaukee Brewers. In his rookie season of 2016, Law made 61 appearances, posting an impressive 4-2 win-loss record and a 2.13 ERA across 55 innings pitched.
The following season, 2017, Law experienced some inconsistency, finishing with a 4-1 record and a 5.06 ERA in 37.33 innings pitched. In 2018, his appearances with the Giants were limited to just 7 games, where he registered a 1-0 record and a 7.43 ERA in 13.33 innings pitched. He spent the majority of that season with the Triple-A Sacramento River Cats. Law was designated for assignment on February 1, 2019, following the waiver claim of John Andreoli, and was outrighted to the minor leagues on February 10.
3.3. Toronto Blue Jays (2019)
On April 2, 2019, Derek Law was traded by the Giants, along with Alen Hanson and Juan De Paula, to the Toronto Blue Jays in exchange for Kevin Pillar. Following the trade, he played for the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons, the Blue Jays' affiliate. Law was then called up to the active roster on May 3, 2019. During his tenure with the Blue Jays in 2019, he made 58 appearances, recording a 1-2 win-loss record, a 4.90 ERA, and 5 saves with 67 strikeouts across 60.67 innings pitched. On December 2, he was non-tendered by the Blue Jays, making him a free agent.
3.4. Texas Rangers Organization
On January 30, 2020, Law signed a minor league contract with the Texas Rangers organization, which included an invitation to spring training. However, due to the cancellation of the minor league season caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Law did not play in any official games in 2020. He became a free agent on November 2, 2020.
3.5. Minnesota Twins (2021)
Derek Law signed a minor league contract with the Minnesota Twins organization in December 2020. On May 8, 2021, he was selected to the Twins' active roster. After making 5 appearances and recording an 8.53 ERA, Law was designated for assignment on May 18. He was then outrighted to the Triple-A St. Paul Saints on May 20. On July 1, Law was re-selected to the active roster. However, he was again designated for assignment by the Twins on September 5, after Luke Farrell was activated from the injured list. Law made 9 appearances for the Twins in 2021, posting a 0-0 record with a 4.20 ERA and 14 strikeouts in 15 innings pitched. On October 4, 2021, Law elected free agency.
3.6. Detroit Tigers (2022)
On April 9, 2022, Law signed a minor league contract with the Detroit Tigers organization. He was initially assigned to the rookie-level Florida Complex League Tigers and then to the Triple-A Toledo Mud Hens on April 14. The Tigers promoted Law to the major leagues on July 30. He made 2 appearances for the Tigers, recording a 0-1 record with a 4.50 ERA in 2 innings pitched. Law was designated for assignment by the Tigers on August 5 and was subsequently released on August 7, 2022.
3.7. Cincinnati Reds (2022-2023)
Derek Law signed a minor league contract with the Cincinnati Reds on August 14, 2022, and was assigned to the Triple-A Louisville Bats. His contract was selected by the Reds on August 30, bringing him back to the major leagues. For the remainder of the 2022 season, he made 15 appearances for Cincinnati, compiling a 2-2 record and a 4.08 ERA with 15 strikeouts in 17.67 innings pitched. On November 15, Law was designated for assignment, and on November 18, he was non-tendered, becoming a free agent.
On January 23, 2023, Law re-signed with the Reds organization on another minor league contract. On March 27, the Reds announced that Law had earned a spot on the Opening Day roster, and his contract was selected to the 40-man roster. In 2023, he made 54 appearances for Cincinnati, logging a 4-6 win-loss record and a 3.60 ERA with 45 strikeouts across 55 innings pitched and two saves. Following the season, on November 17, Law was again non-tendered and became a free agent.
3.8. Washington Nationals (2024-present)
On February 21, 2024, Derek Law signed a minor league contract with the Washington Nationals. After a successful spring training, Washington selected Law's contract on March 26, and he made the team's Opening Day roster. As of the end of the 2024 season, Law has appeared in 75 games for the Nationals, holding a 7-4 win-loss record, a 2.60 ERA, 76 strikeouts in 90 innings pitched, and 1 save.
4. Career Statistics
Derek Law's professional career statistics highlight his performance as a pitcher, including his annual pitching and fielding metrics, as well as the various uniform numbers he has worn throughout his time in Major League Baseball.
4.1. Pitching Statistics
| Year | Team | G | W | L | SV | HLD | IP | H | R | ER | HR | BB | SO | WHIP | ERA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | SF | 61 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 14 | 55.0 | 44 | 13 | 13 | 3 | 9 | 50 | 0.96 | 2.13 |
| 2017 | SF | 41 | 4 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 37.33 | 45 | 21 | 21 | 5 | 14 | 35 | 1.58 | 5.06 |
| 2018 | SF | 7 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 13.33 | 16 | 13 | 11 | 2 | 8 | 12 | 1.80 | 7.43 |
| 2019 | TOR | 58 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 8 | 60.67 | 61 | 36 | 33 | 8 | 40 | 67 | 1.66 | 4.90 |
| 2021 | MIN | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 15.0 | 16 | 7 | 7 | 2 | 8 | 14 | 1.60 | 4.20 |
| 2022 | DET | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2.0 | 4 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2.50 | 4.50 |
| 2022 | CIN | 15 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 17.67 | 19 | 8 | 8 | 2 | 7 | 15 | 1.47 | 4.08 |
| 2022 Total | 17 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 19.67 | 23 | 13 | 9 | 3 | 8 | 17 | 1.58 | 4.12 | |
| 2023 | CIN | 54 | 4 | 6 | 2 | 3 | 55.0 | 50 | 24 | 22 | 6 | 26 | 45 | 1.38 | 3.60 |
| 2024 | WSH | 75 | 7 | 4 | 1 | 17 | 90.0 | 82 | 31 | 26 | 7 | 24 | 76 | 1.18 | 2.60 |
| MLB Total (8 years) | 322 | 23 | 18 | 13 | 50 | 346.0 | 337 | 158 | 142 | 36 | 137 | 316 | 1.37 | 3.69 | |
Statistics through the end of the 2024 season.
4.2. Fielding Statistics
| Year | Team | G | PO | A | E | DP | FPct |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | SF | 61 | 3 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 1.000 |
| 2017 | SF | 41 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1.000 |
| 2018 | SF | 7 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1.000 |
| 2019 | TOR | 58 | 3 | 12 | 2 | 0 | .882 |
| 2021 | MIN | 9 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1.000 |
| 2022 | DET | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | .000 |
| 2022 | CIN | 15 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1.000 |
| 2022 Total | 17 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | .800 | |
| 2023 | CIN | 54 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 1.000 |
| 2024 | WSH | 75 | 4 | 6 | 0 | 2 | 1.000 |
| MLB Total | 322 | 17 | 39 | 3 | 4 | .949 | |
Statistics through the end of the 2024 season.
4.3. Uniform Numbers
Throughout his Major League Baseball career, Derek Law has worn several uniform numbers:
- 64 (2016-2019)
- 54 (2021)
- 48 (2022 - part of season)
- 58 (2022 - part of season, and 2024-present)
- 47 (2023)
5. Personal life
Derek Law's father, Joe Law, also pursued a career in professional baseball. Joe Law played minor league baseball within the Oakland Athletics organization. Despite being called up to the major leagues for four days, Joe Law never appeared in a game, which categorizes him as a phantom ballplayer.