The Angels announced they’ve released reliever Cody Laweryson. He had been designated for assignment earlier in the week when they finalized their one-year deal to bring back Yoán Moncada.
Los Angeles claimed Laweryson off waivers from the Twins early in the offseason. The 6’4″ righty made five appearances with Minnesota as a rookie. He allowed two runs (one earned) across 7 2/3 innings, striking out seven without issuing a walk. Laweryson also pitched well in Triple-A, turning in a 2.86 earned run average while striking out a quarter of opposing hitters. The former 14th-round pick has a solid 3.39 ERA with a 27% strikeout percentage over his minor league career.
Despite the strong production, Laweryson was dropped by a Twins team that has one of the worst bullpens in MLB. His 93.2 mph average fastball isn’t especially imposing. He doesn’t have a power breaking ball either, sitting 85-86 mph with a cutter while mixing in a low-80s changeup. He’ll celebrate his 28th birthday in May.
It’s not clear why the Angels released Laweryson rather than assigning him to Triple-A. Speculatively speaking, it’s possible there’s an undisclosed injury at play, as injured players cannot be outrighted. (He dealt with a forearm strain in the minors midseason but finished the year healthy and on Minnesota’s active roster.) If there is some kind of injury, they’d presumably look to re-sign him to a minor league deal. In any case, Laweryson is now a free agent who can explore other opportunities.
Please tell me this guy has faced Aaron Judge.
He has indeed. Judge grounded out against him in the 5th inning of a blowout game in mid September.
I wonder if lawyerson objected to any of the calls by the ump.
Sustained!
I wasted 5 minutes trying to see if he did and I wasn’t fast enough.
Down to 79 roster spots
And the plot thickens…
My first guess was maybe that Laweryson might be headed overseas, though an injury is certainly possible. I hope for Cody that the former is true.
3 options per Roster Resource, just letting him go has got to be injury related as the article says. I have no confidence in the Halos developing him and Baltimore has done well mining the Twins org for arms. If he has an injury that will sideline him this year… it may simply not be worth the experiment but again, chuck him in Norfolk and see what you have. Doesn’t miss bats and doesn’t have an overpowering fastball… depends on how successful in adding a trendy sweeper or kick change. lol
FGs had a old write up on him and he apparent has a funky delivery that plays his otherwise meh FB up due to its delivery. 70 control, looks like a middle relievers profile with that 6’4″ frame and smoke and mirrors control guy… I’m curious if anyone takes a flyer now that he’s a FA.
Call me a lawyer, son.
Come Back to Twins Cody !!!!!
Albeit on a rich minor LG Contract plz
The only thing crazier than his name being Lawyerson is that its actually Laweryson