Sire of Fort Myers Update: Who Is Derek Law?

[Tom Froemming]

Hear ye, hear ye! ‘Tis time to check in on the race for 2021 Sire of Fort Myers. Let’s learn about a new face in the organization who brings plenty of MLB experience with him, right-handed reliever Derek Law.Before we get started, let’s take a look at how the talent pool has been thinned out over the past week.

 

TRANSACTIONS

March 14: Dakota Chalmers, Bailey Ober, Jordan Balazovic and Jhoan Duran all optioned to alternate training site.

March 15: Ben Rortvedt, Nick Gordon, Travis Blankenhorn and Gilberto Celestino all optioned to alternate training site.

March 19: Shaun Anderson and Devin Smeltzer optioned to alternate training site.

 

In addition to the roster being trimmed, the regulars are starting to see more playing time. That combined with the fact the Twins haven’t been playing very well this spring has resulted in a narrow field in the competition for Sire of Fort Myers.

 

Entering the weekend, the Twins ranked dead last in on-base percentage and run differential, 29th in slugging and 26th in both ERA and WHIP. Yikes. There’s no reason to panic over Spring Training stats, but you’d certainly rather see the Twins playing well.

 

Keon Broxton, who entered camp the favorite, still sits atop my Sire of Fort Myers power rankings (remember, guys on the 40-man roster who have MLB time like Kyle Garlick, Randy Dobnak and Lewis Thorpe are ineligible). Aside from Broxton, Derek Law is another player who has impressed.

 

In four outings so far this spring, Law has pitched four shutout innings, surrendered just one hit to go along with one walk. He was really impressive his last two outings, striking out six of the seven batters he’s faced. The other reached on an error.

 

Of the non-roster invitee pitchers, Law has the most major league time, racking up 167 games pitched from 2016-19. He spent last season at the Texas Rangers’ alternate site.

 

Law had an outstanding rookie season for the Giants in 2016, pitching to a 2.13 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and 5.56 K:BB ratio in 55 innings. He ranked 16th in both ERA and FIP among the 135 qualified relievers that season. Law, 30, couldn’t replicate that success over the next three seasons, posting a 5.25 ERA while struggling with control. His walk rate ballooned from 4.2% his rookie season to 11.9% over the next three years.

 

Law strays from the recent Twins relaimation reliever model in that he has a full arsenal. You’re not likely to see him suddenly start featuring one of his pitches excessively, a la Matt Wisler. In 2019, Law threw his fastball 36.7 percent of the time, his slider 30.5 percent of the time, his curveball 19.9 percent of the time and his changeup 12.9 percent of the time. That’s a pretty deep mix for a reliever these days.

 

Download attachment: pitch-types-for-law-dere.jpeg

 

Derek’s father, Joe Law, was a pitcher himself. Joe was called up to the Oakland A’s on two different occasions in 1988 but never appeared in a major league game. So you can bet Derek savors every moment he gets in the big leagues. For more on Derek and Joe Law, check out this great profile by MLB.com’s Walter Villa from back in 2016.

 

In addition to Broxton and Law, there are other candidates who still have a shot at the crown. It’s the same bunch that I featured in my Sire of Fort Myers update last week. Speaking of which, Brandon Waddell may have seemed like an odd inclusion among the top candidates a week ago, but he’s continued to turn heads. He gave up four earned runs in his second spring outing but has given up just one hit over 5 2/3 shutout innings since. In that time he’s struck out 10 batters without issuing a walk.

 

The Twins have just 10 Spring Training games left to play. Which players have caught your eye so far this spring?

 

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[Dman]

I had no idea Law was so well rounded that certainly gives him a leg up IMO.  I only got to see him pitch one game but he was impressive.  Guys were swinging over and under his stuff and he had really nice movement on all of his pitches that day.  If his control problems are behind him the odds are in his favor.

 

I still like what Ferrell did early this spring and would like see more.  I know his fastball isn't where the Twins like to see it but he has some hypnotizing breaking balls IMO.  I am also starting to come around on Waddell.  I really thought the Twins were somewhat off base and just desperate for a lefty when they claimed him but after what he did in back to back innings yesterday I am impressed with where he is at now.  If he keeps that up he has a shot in the rotation or the pen.

 

Broxton is the lone hitter and he has been better than I imagined he could be this spring.  He hasn't played against top pitchers etc so those stats need to be taken with a grain of salt but he seems to be handling laying of pitches and making good contact which were issues in the past for him.  There is currently no room on the 40 man for him so baring a trade he won't make it.  I am not sure if he has an opt out anymore or not but if he keeps playing like this I think the Twins will need him sooner or later so hope they don't lose him.  If he continues to not be a near automatic out with the bat he is a very valuable player on any team.

[Seth Stohs]

I think Brandon Waddell is a solid candidate too, especially after Saturday night's performance. Looked peak Taylor Rogers like. I know, one game, but give him a couple of months in AAA to work out of the bullpen and keep working on that slider and he could really help the team for years. I think he's eligible since he came off the 40-man roster about a week before spring training started. 

[BeatTheRich]

Hard not to pull for the son of a guy named Joe Law. I can't help but picture Jack Webb of Dragnet fame with a baseball in his hand, ready to dispense some hard justice. You just know this guy is familiar with chin music.

 

With his solid four-pitch mix, is there any possibility of making Derek Law into a long reliever? Let's say we begin the year with a six-person rotation that includes Dobnak. Law looks like he'd hold up pretty well in terms of durability.

[Major League Ready]

Law is the only one of the group mentioned who is out of options. That's a tie breaker for making the team. It would be great if he continues to impress and sticks around for a few years. About time we pick some up that way instead of giving them away. Half of Tampa Bay's BP last year was players we let go.

[mikelink45]

 

Hard not to pull for the son of a guy named Joe Law. I can't help but picture Jack Webb of Dragnet fame with a baseball in his hand, ready to dispense some hard justice. You just know this guy is familiar with chin music.

 

With his solid four-pitch mix, is there any possibility of making Derek Law into a long reliever? Let's say we begin the year with a six-person rotation that includes Dobnak. Law looks like he'd hold up pretty well in terms of durability.

You beat me - if there is ever a hardboiled detective name it has to be Joe Law

 

[Doctor Gast]

I really like Law, he has a shot. PIT had a lot of great under developed pitching I was hoping to plunder some of it. Strange only pitcher we picked up was only Waddle, a PIT discard. Yet he could turn out to be a pretty good pitcher.

But still my vote goes to Broxton. Garlic, Rooker and Broxton are pretty close, the best depends on which hitting category you are looking at. But if we look beyond hitting to defense, speed and being a true CF to sub Buxton. Broxton should be our hands down selection for 4th OF

 

Another great article Tom. I was able to see the video of Broxton scoring from 1st on a single by Cruz (he made it look easy) but I haven't been able see his triple. So Tom, I'd like a favor, if you have access to it, could you access it here? I'd really like to see it! Thank you!

[Tom Froemming]

 

Another great article Tom. I was able to see the video of Broxton scoring from 1st on a single by Cruz (he made it look easy) but I haven't been able see his triple. So Tom, I'd like a favor, if you have access to it, could you access it here? I'd really like to see it! Thank you!

 

It was a weird play. There was a runner on first, and it appeared that Broxton was expecting him to score. The lead runner ended up rounding third, tried to go back, by that time Broxton was there.

 

Back to Law, he struck out two of the three batters he faced today in a perfect inning. So he's now struck out eight of the last 10 batters he's faced. Wow. 

[Doctor Gast]

It was a weird play. There was a runner on first, and it appeared that Broxton was expecting him to score. The lead runner ended up rounding third, tried to go back, by that time Broxton was there.

 

Back to Law, he struck out two of the three batters he faced today in a perfect inning. So he's now struck out eight of the last 10 batters he's faced. Wow.

 

Weird, Broxton probably thinks everyone should be as fast as him.

I'd love to have 2 open spots on the 40 man for both Broxton and Law, especially since Law is out of options.

[Dman]

 

Law is the only one of the group mentioned who is out of options. That's a tie breaker for making the team. It would be great if he continues to impress and sticks around for a few years. About time we pick some up that way instead of giving them away. Half of Tampa Bay's BP last year was players we let go.

 

Good point.  With Law out of options he would need to be a sure thing.  The Twins like to be able to send guys up and down so he wouldn't fit in with that plan.  Maybe if Robles keeps getting hit hard they give Derek his spot otherwise it is hard to see the Twins moving him onto the 40 man unless there is a major injury to another pitcher.