At the beginning of last season, Derek Law was known only to the most dedicated of Giants prospect watchers. At the end of the season, he appears to be on the fast track to the major leagues. Law is a RH relief pitching prospect drafted in the 9'th round of the 2011 draft out of JC ball. He's got a nice pitcher's frame at 6'3", 218 lbs. I don't know much about what he throws.
He pitched well in his first two pro seasons racking up K's at a rate of better than 1 per inning while his walk rates were decent to excellent. I was surprised when he was sent back to Low Augusta to start the 2013 season. He again pitched well with an ERA of 2.31 and 48 K's against 10 BB's in 35 IP. He finally got a promo to San Jose midseason and that is where he really started turning some heads: 4-0, 2.10, 25.2 IP, 1 BB, 45 K's, 11 Saves. Yes, you read that right. 1 BB! 1 BB in 25.2 IP! Against 45 K's! I'm not sure if he just didn't pitch on the days I attended SJ games or if I made the mistake of leaving early, but I did not see him pitch in person and I'm pretty darn upset about it now.
He was added to the AFL roster late and continued to impress against the elite competition: 1-0, 0.00, 12.1 IP, 6 BB, 16 K's.
I would look for him to start 2014 in AA Richmond. If he pitches anything like he did in SJ and the AFL, heck, we could see him in SF before the season is over! He is on the radar now, big time!
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Sounds like he shows up very well on the radar gun. With a deceptive over the top throwing motion, he's looks like turbo version of Josh Collmenter. Batter's don't have much of look at the ball before it explodes from behind his head.
ReplyDeleteJesse Collmenter, AKA Tomahawk Boy, seemed to have MLB hitters baffled by his unorthodox release point until they had seen him 2-3 times then he stopped fooling them.
DeleteHe was a starter in college, and it sounds like he's got a starter's arsenal. Don't know if he throws all 4 pitches consistently, but from what I've read and seen on video, his curveball is thought to be the top breaking ball in the organization. Big time hammer action.
ReplyDeleteI thought in Baggs' chat that he mentioned Law's slider, not his curve, as the best in the organization (excluding Romo's, one assumes).
DeleteFrom the AFL video I saw he was all FB and curve. He hit as low as 92 and high as 95, which seems to correlate with the reports that say he's 92-96 with the FB. The curve was a hammer power curve. Nice, sharp break that just buckles people at the knees.
DeleteI'm no expert, but I imagine that extreme over hand delivery really lets him get a ton of rotation on the pitch.
We are going to have a huge fusion of talent come 2015/2016. Pen arms are blossoming left and right, and we have a strong cadre SP just rising through the system at all levels. If we catch all the breaks, this could be like the infusion of arm talent that the cards saw this past year. Although, I'm sure our most cynical of fans will still find some way to complain about the farm.
Definitely got hype in the AFL. I really liked the different look Law gives - for those who don't know he shows batters the back of his jersey a la Luis Tiant. He does the same in the stretch, its just a modified hurry up. Sweet curve, good fastball, Law is looking like a huge steal from the 2011 (Panik/Crick) draft. That was the last draft before the new CBA and "draft pools", so there weren't huge underdraft/overdraft games going on at this section of the draft like in 2012-13, but 10 teams took shiny HS players. The Giants have backed off the JC route in the past two years, hope they get back to it some next year.
ReplyDeleteA reliever who throws strikes, avoids walks and gets Ks is a very good thing. Law might even get a shot to make the 25.
Beat me to the punch. I too think that he has a chance to make the 25, he was just so dominating in San Jose, the Giants usually are pretty aggressive with pitchers like that. If he weren't set back by an injury mid-season, took about a month away in total including rehab in Arizona, he might have gotten another promotion with what he did in San Jose. And he sort of did, getting sent to AFL. I think that they are going to give him a chance in spring training to make the team, the Giants love pitchers who throws strikes and are aggressive like that.
DeleteSaw him pitch in last regular season game in SJ this year against inland empire. Great stuff and kept IE off balance. Also has a funny warm up style too.
ReplyDeleteJ
Mitch Lively Update..from the VWL
ReplyDelete6-0 1.09 ERA 1.07WHIP 1.74BAA 49 IP 29H 37K...Sounds like somebody who has found his calling as a starter...Could be a good guy to have in Fresno for injury insurance if we don't lose him..
SteveVA
1.740 BAA?? Man, the guy is getting lit up down there... Seems pretty lucky to be 6-0 with batters knocking you around like that!
Deletejk :)
I'm going with .174 BAA, but sounds great. Has the respect of his managers. Not known as a stuff guy, but one who competes. Sounds like a nice 6th starter/swing man option, making a signing like Gaudin unnecessary.
DeleteCan anybody wait for this guy to go 1-2-3 in the 8th and hear The Clash - I Fought The Law over the loud speaker? I think we are stacked with talent for relievers.
ReplyDeleteThumbs up!
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