Brian Lawrence
Encyclopedia
Brian Michael Lawrence is a former Major League Baseball
starting pitcher
. He batted and threw right-handed.
, the San Diego Padres
selected Lawrence in the 17th round. After spending the rest of that year at the rookie and short-season Class A levels of the Padres' organization, he played a full season in with the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes
, finishing with a 12-8 record and a 3.39 ERA
.
During the season, Lawrence split time between the Double-A Mobile BayBears
and the Triple-A Las Vegas Stars
.
At the end of the season, Lawrence made his major league debut for the Padres. He ended up going 5-5 with a 3.45 ERA in 27 games (15 starts). The 2001 season was the only one in which the Padres used him extensively in a relief role.
By , he had established himself in the Padres' starting rotation, and he made at least 31 starts with the Padres in each of the next four seasons. For three consecutive years (2002 to ), he logged more than 200 innings pitched, and he won at least ten games in each of those seasons.
On June 12, 2002, Lawrence struck out three batters on nine pitches in the third inning of a 2-0 win over the Baltimore Orioles. Lawrence became the 24th National League
pitcher and the 33rd pitcher in Major League history to accomplish the nine-strike/three-strikeout half-inning
. However, in , his record was just 7-15, and his ERA 4.83 - his highest-ever ERA in the majors. He threw the slowest fastball of all NL starters in 2005, averaging 83.3 miles per hour.http://www.fangraphs.com/leaders.aspx?pos=all&stats=pit&lg=all&qual=y&type=4&season=2005&month=0
for third baseman Vinny Castilla
. Following the trade to the Nationals, Padres General Manager Kevin Towers
was quoted as saying "Brian Lawrence was an effective low cost innings-eater". The righty would never have an opportunity to pitch for the Nationals. On the second day of spring training
for the season, team doctors discovered a torn labrum
and a torn rotator cuff
in his right shoulder, which put him on the disabled list
for all of 2006. After the 2006 season, the Nationals declined their option on Lawrence.
, but was released early in the season.
. The Mets assigned him to their Triple-A affiliate, the New Orleans Zephyrs
. On August 2, 2007, Lawrence was called up to the major leagues, and started his first game with the Mets against the Milwaukee Brewers
. His victory in Milwaukee was his first major league win in almost 2 years. He was designated for assignment on September 18, 2007. Lawrence made six starts for the Mets and posted a 6.83 ERA. Lawrence opted for free agency after the season.
signed Lawrence to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training, he was released from the team on March 27, 2008.
of the Atlantic League
.
bought Lawrence's contract from Camden and assigned him to Triple-A Richmond
. He became a free agent at the end of the season.
under first-year manager Phil Nevin
in . In his Flyers debut, he threw a complete game one-hitter (doubleheader games in the minors are 7 innings).
purchased his contract from the Flyers on June 15, 2009 and sent him to AAA.
On August 1, 2009 the San Diego Padres
released Lawrence.
. His contract expired at the end of the season. Lawrence re-signed a minor league contract with the Marlins on April 1, 2010.
on February 14, 2011, but he was released before the 2011 season on April 1.
on April 17. However, he retired on June 2 after going 2–5 with an 8.07 ERA for the triple-A Salt Lake Bees
of the Pacific Coast League
.
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
starting pitcher
Starting pitcher
In baseball or softball, a starting pitcher is the pitcher who delivers the first pitch to the first batter of a game. A pitcher who enters the game after the first pitch of the game is a relief pitcher....
. He batted and threw right-handed.
High school
Lawrence attended Carthage High School in Carthage, Texas. His senior year (1994) under Head Coach Scott Lee, he led the Bulldogs to the final four State Semi-Final game in Austin versus the Belton Tigers, losing the game 9-5 on a walk-off grand-slam given up by his relief pitcher.San Diego Padres
In the 1998 Major League Baseball Draft1998 Major League Baseball Draft
The 1998 First-Year Player Draft, Major League Baseball's annual amateur draft of high school and college baseball players, was held on June 2 and 3, 1998...
, the San Diego Padres
San Diego Padres
The San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego, California. They play in the National League Western Division. Founded in 1969, the Padres have won the National League Pennant twice, in 1984 and 1998, losing in the World Series both times...
selected Lawrence in the 17th round. After spending the rest of that year at the rookie and short-season Class A levels of the Padres' organization, he played a full season in with the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes
Rancho Cucamonga Quakes
The Rancho Cucamonga Quakes are a minor league baseball team in Rancho Cucamonga, California, USA. They are a Class A – Advanced team in the California League and a farm team of the Los Angeles Dodgers, their third major league affiliate in team history....
, finishing with a 12-8 record and a 3.39 ERA
Earned run average
In baseball statistics, earned run average is the mean of earned runs given up by a pitcher per nine innings pitched. It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number of innings pitched and multiplying by nine...
.
During the season, Lawrence split time between the Double-A Mobile BayBears
Mobile BayBears
The Mobile BayBears are a minor league baseball team based in Mobile, Alabama, United States. The team, which plays in the Southern League, is the Double-A affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks major league club. The BayBears play in Hank Aaron Stadium, named after baseball's former all-time home...
and the Triple-A Las Vegas Stars
Las Vegas 51s
The Las Vegas 51s, formerly known as the Las Vegas Stars, are a minor league baseball team. They are the Triple-A affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays. They play at Cashman Field in Las Vegas, Nevada. The team competes in the Pacific Coast League...
.
At the end of the season, Lawrence made his major league debut for the Padres. He ended up going 5-5 with a 3.45 ERA in 27 games (15 starts). The 2001 season was the only one in which the Padres used him extensively in a relief role.
By , he had established himself in the Padres' starting rotation, and he made at least 31 starts with the Padres in each of the next four seasons. For three consecutive years (2002 to ), he logged more than 200 innings pitched, and he won at least ten games in each of those seasons.
On June 12, 2002, Lawrence struck out three batters on nine pitches in the third inning of a 2-0 win over the Baltimore Orioles. Lawrence became the 24th National League
National League
The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League , is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball, and the world's oldest extant professional team sports league. Founded on February 2, 1876, to replace the National Association of Professional...
pitcher and the 33rd pitcher in Major League history to accomplish the nine-strike/three-strikeout half-inning
Pitchers who struck out three batters on nine pitches
In Major League Baseball, 43 pitchers have thrown a nine-pitch, three-strikeout half-inning, throwing nothing but strikes...
. However, in , his record was just 7-15, and his ERA 4.83 - his highest-ever ERA in the majors. He threw the slowest fastball of all NL starters in 2005, averaging 83.3 miles per hour.http://www.fangraphs.com/leaders.aspx?pos=all&stats=pit&lg=all&qual=y&type=4&season=2005&month=0
Washington Nationals
After the 2005 season, the Padres traded Lawrence to the Washington NationalsWashington Nationals
The Washington Nationals are a professional baseball team based in Washington, D.C. The Nationals are a member of the Eastern Division of the National League of Major League Baseball . The team moved into the newly built Nationals Park in 2008, after playing their first three seasons in RFK Stadium...
for third baseman Vinny Castilla
Vinny Castilla
Vinicio "Vinny" Castilla Soria is a former Major League Baseball third baseman who played his best years with the Colorado Rockies and Atlanta Braves...
. Following the trade to the Nationals, Padres General Manager Kevin Towers
Kevin Towers
Kevin S. Towers is currently the general manager for the Arizona Diamondbacks. He also served as the general manager of Major League Baseball's San Diego Padres from 1995-2009.-Playing career:...
was quoted as saying "Brian Lawrence was an effective low cost innings-eater". The righty would never have an opportunity to pitch for the Nationals. On the second day of spring training
Spring training
In Major League Baseball, spring training is a series of practices and exhibition games preceding the start of the regular season. Spring training allows new players to try out for roster and position spots, and gives existing team players practice time prior to competitive play...
for the season, team doctors discovered a torn labrum
Glenoidal labrum
The glenoid labrum is a fibrocartilaginous rim attached around the margin of the glenoid cavity in the shoulder blade. The shoulder joint is considered a 'ball and socket' joint. However, in bony terms the 'socket' is quite shallow and small, covering at most only a third of the 'ball'...
and a torn rotator cuff
Rotator cuff
In anatomy, the rotator cuff is the group of muscles and their tendons that act to stabilize the shoulder. The four muscles of the rotator cuff, along with the teres major muscle, the coracobrachialis muscle and the deltoid, make up the seven scapulohumeral muscles of the human body.-Function:The...
in his right shoulder, which put him on the disabled list
Disabled list
In Major League Baseball, the disabled list is a method for teams to remove their injured players from the roster in order to summon healthy players.-General guidelines:...
for all of 2006. After the 2006 season, the Nationals declined their option on Lawrence.
Colorado Rockies
On January 21, 2007, Lawrence was signed by the Colorado RockiesColorado Rockies
The Colorado Rockies are a Major League Baseball team based in Denver, Colorado. Established in 1991, they started play in 1993 and are in the West Division of the National League. The team is named after the Rocky Mountains...
, but was released early in the season.
New York Mets
On May 6, 2007, Lawrence signed a minor league contract with the New York MetsNew York Mets
The New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
. The Mets assigned him to their Triple-A affiliate, the New Orleans Zephyrs
New Orleans Zephyrs
The New Orleans Zephyrs are a minor league baseball team based in Metairie, Louisiana, a suburb of New Orleans. The Zephyrs play in the Pacific Coast League and are the Triple-A affiliate of the Miami Marlins. The Zephyrs play their home games at Zephyr Field....
. On August 2, 2007, Lawrence was called up to the major leagues, and started his first game with the Mets against the Milwaukee Brewers
Milwaukee Brewers
The Milwaukee Brewers are a professional baseball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, currently playing in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
. His victory in Milwaukee was his first major league win in almost 2 years. He was designated for assignment on September 18, 2007. Lawrence made six starts for the Mets and posted a 6.83 ERA. Lawrence opted for free agency after the season.
Kansas City Royals
On January 19, 2008, the Kansas City RoyalsKansas City Royals
The Kansas City Royals are a Major League Baseball team based in Kansas City, Missouri. The Royals are a member of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From 1973 to the present, the Royals have played in Kauffman Stadium...
signed Lawrence to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training, he was released from the team on March 27, 2008.
Camden Riversharks
On April 24, 2008, Lawrence signed with the Camden RiversharksCamden Riversharks
The Camden Riversharks is an American professional baseball team based in Camden, New Jersey. They are a member of the Liberty Division of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball, which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball...
of the Atlantic League
Atlantic League of Professional Baseball
The Atlantic League of Professional Baseball is a professional, independent baseball organization located primarily in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern United States, especially the greater metropolitan areas of the Northeast megalopolis. It operates in cities not served by Major or Minor League...
.
Atlanta Braves
On June 8, the Atlanta BravesAtlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
bought Lawrence's contract from Camden and assigned him to Triple-A Richmond
Richmond Braves
The Richmond Braves were the Triple-A affiliate of the Atlanta Braves and played in the International League. Colloquially referred to as the R-Braves, they were based in Richmond, Virginia, where they played from 1966, when the Milwaukee Braves moved to Atlanta where their AAA team, the Crackers,...
. He became a free agent at the end of the season.
Orange County Flyers
He joined the independent Orange County Flyers of the Golden Baseball LeagueGolden Baseball League
The Golden Baseball League, based in San Ramon, California, was an independent baseball league. It later merged with the Northern League and the United Baseball League to form the North American League in the western United States, western Canada and Mexico....
under first-year manager Phil Nevin
Phil Nevin
Phillip Joseph Nevin is a retired American professional baseball player who spent twelve seasons in Major League Baseball with the Houston Astros , Detroit Tigers , Anaheim Angels , San Diego Padres , Texas Rangers , Chicago Cubs and Minnesota Twins...
in . In his Flyers debut, he threw a complete game one-hitter (doubleheader games in the minors are 7 innings).
Return to the Padres
The San Diego PadresSan Diego Padres
The San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego, California. They play in the National League Western Division. Founded in 1969, the Padres have won the National League Pennant twice, in 1984 and 1998, losing in the World Series both times...
purchased his contract from the Flyers on June 15, 2009 and sent him to AAA.
On August 1, 2009 the San Diego Padres
San Diego Padres
The San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego, California. They play in the National League Western Division. Founded in 1969, the Padres have won the National League Pennant twice, in 1984 and 1998, losing in the World Series both times...
released Lawrence.
Florida Marlins
On August 18, 2009, Lawrence signed a minor league contract with the Florida MarlinsFlorida Marlins
The Miami Marlins are a professional baseball team based in Miami, Florida, United States. Established in 1993 as an expansion franchise called the Florida Marlins, the Marlins are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Marlins played their home games at...
. His contract expired at the end of the season. Lawrence re-signed a minor league contract with the Marlins on April 1, 2010.
San Francisco Giants
Lawrence signed with the San Francisco GiantsSan Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
on February 14, 2011, but he was released before the 2011 season on April 1.
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
He signed with the Los Angeles Angels of AnaheimLos Angeles Angels of Anaheim
The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are a professional baseball team based in Anaheim, California, United States. The Angels are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The "Angels" name originates from the city in which the team started, Los Angeles...
on April 17. However, he retired on June 2 after going 2–5 with an 8.07 ERA for the triple-A Salt Lake Bees
Salt Lake Bees
The Salt Lake Bees are a Pacific Coast League minor league baseball team based in Salt Lake City, Utah. The Bees serve as the Triple-A affiliate of Major League Baseball's Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. They play their home games at Spring Mobile Ballpark, known to fans as the Apiary, which was...
of the Pacific Coast League
Pacific Coast League
The Pacific Coast League is a minor-league baseball league operating in the Western, Midwestern and Southeastern United States. Along with the International League and the Mexican League, it is one of three leagues playing at the Triple-A level, which is one step below Major League Baseball.The...
.