Twins Add RHP Brandon Lawson on Minor League Deal

[Theo Tollefson]

Unable to sign major-league free agents, the Twins have signed another pitcher to a minor-league deal today. Learn some more about right-hander Brandon Lawson. 

 

The Brandon Lawson signing was first announced on Twitter by Lawson’s agent, Nello Gamberdino (who also represents Twins RHP prospect Louie Varland), on Thursday morning. Soon after, Darren Wolfson of KSTP quote-tweeted it with more information. 

27-year-old Brandon Lawson spent the 2021 season in the Houston Astros system splitting time as a starter and reliever at their Double-A affiliate. In his 25 games, Lawson posted a 4.15 ERA, a .254 Opponent batting average, a 1.22 WHIP, and 75 strikeouts in 95 1/3 innings pitched (7.1 K/9). He also had a complete game shutout in one of his ten starts with Corpus Christi Hooks.

This winter, Lawson pitched in the Dominican Winter League with the Tigres del Licey. Lawson made three starts in the league and posted a 2.13 ERA and 4.3 K/9 in 12 2/3 innings pitched. 

Lawson was originally drafted out of the University of South Florida in the 12th round (360th overall) of the 2016 draft by the Tampa Bay Rays. He was a teammate of shortstop Jermaine Palacios with fellow Twins minor-league signing Jake Faria. 

In his first two minor league seasons, the Rays primarily developed him as a reliever and tested him as a starter during the 2018 minor league season. He went to the Arizona Fall League after that season, but the Rays released him soon after. 

He began the 2019 season in the independent Atlantic League, but by late April, he was signed by the San Francisco Giants, Lawson became a full-time starter and spent the full season at Double-A. That was Lawson’s best professional season, by far. He posted a 3.70 ERA, 1.42 WHIP, 5.8 K per 9, and 83 strikeouts in 129 innings pitched.

Lawson stands 6-3 and just over 200 pounds. He is primarily a sinker ball pitcher and gets a ton of ground balls. His sinker sits between 91 and 93 mph. He also throws a four-seam fastball that comes in a little faster than the sinker. A five-pitch pitcher, Lawson also throws a low-80s changeup, a mid-80s slider, and a mid-70s curveball. 

Lawson has yet to make his MLB debut or even pitch above Double-A. He could have the opportunity to pitch for the Twins this season. Whether it will be as a starter or reliever is yet to be determined, but even as MLB transactions are at a halt with the MLB lockout, the Twins are finding players to add to their pitching depth at St. Paul or Wichita that could potentially help the Major League roster in 2022. 

 

 

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[mikelink45]

A filler for when the minor leaguers we now have get moved up.

[BBfan35]

He did play Triple A with the Durham Bulls and Sacramento River Cats during playoffs and National Championship Runs

[beckmt]

Seems to me to be more of a depth option for minor league innings.  No big deal.

[Whitey333]

I hope he does well and is able to reach his dream of pitching in the majors.  However this is just another in a long list of bargain basement signings.  

[TwinsAce]

If I understand things correctly, aren't the minor league seasons on track to start as normal, regardless of a MLB deal?  (Since the lockout only impacts MLB players / 40 man rosters / players who were in the majors last year?) 

f so, I'd imagine there will be a lot more minor league signings as we get closer to April to help fill in the minor league rosters (especially the Saints) where 40 man players were going to start.

[Karbo]

I guess we need lots of minor league players signed in case the CBA deadlock continues so they can use some non union players to start the season. (Just kidding I hope)

[Blyleven2011]

Come on guys , it's all ball bearings these days ......

Fletch lives

[Kipp35]

Well, start planning the parade route folks. Once again, the Twins brass are all over rebuilding our rotation! First, Dylan Bundy and NOW Brandon Lawson! I just can't believe we were able to land these two huge fish! I take back everything I have said against them.... wait, no I don't.

[TwinsDr2021]

Always exciting getting a 27 year old with an ERA north of 4 in AA.

[Connor Gould]

Based on his baseball reference page he looks like a competent control guy with low homers but no Ks. Maybe he can learn an out pitch and become MLB caliber.

[Highlander1]

I guess I'm being chastised, LOL!

[Rosterman]

You can keep track of other minor league free agent signings, as well as movements of former Twins into other minor league systems, at this long running link.