Reggie Lawson

Reginald Jefferson Lawson (born August 2, 1997) is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent.

Reggie Lawson
Free agent
Pitcher
Born: (1997-08-02) August 2, 1997 (age 28) Victorville, California, U.S.
Bats: Right Throws: Right
Medals Men's baseball Representing  United States U-18 Baseball World Cup 2015 Osaka Team

Amateur career

Lawson attended Victor Valley High School in Victorville, California.^[1] Lawson played in the 2015 Perfect Game All-American Classic.^[2] Lawson was a member of Team USA when they won Gold at the 2015 WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup.^[3][4] He had committed to play college baseball at Arizona State University.^[1][5] Lawson was drafted by the San Diego Padres, with the 71st overall selection, in the Compensation Round B of the 2016 MLB draft.^[6] He signed with the Padres for a $1.9 million signing bonus.^[7]

Professional career

Lawson made his professional debut in 2016 with the AZL Padres of the Rookie-level Arizona League, going 0–0 with an 8.31 ERA and 7 strikeouts over 8+2⁄3 innings. He spent the 2017 season with the Fort Wayne TinCaps of the Single–A Midwest League, going 4–6 with a 5.30 ERA and 89 strikeouts over 73 innings.^[8] Lawson spent the 2018 season with the Lake Elsinore Storm of the High–A California League, going 8–5 with a 4.69 ERA and 117 strikeouts over 117 innings.^[9][10] In 2019, Lawson played for the Amarillo Sod Poodles of the Double-A Texas League, going 3–1 with a 5.20 ERA and 36 strikeouts over 27+2⁄3 innings.^[11] He appeared in just six games due to an elbow injury.^[12][13] Following the 2019 season, Lawson played for the Peoria Javelinas of the Arizona Fall League.^[13][14]

Lawson did not play in a game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league season because of the COVID-19 pandemic.^[15] He additionally underwent Tommy John surgery in March of the same year.^[16] On November 20, 2020, the Padres added Lawson to their 40-man roster in order to protect him from the Rule 5 draft.^[17]

Lawson missed a large portion of the 2021 season recovering from Tommy John, and pitched only 6+2⁄3 minor league innings, allowing 10 runs. He was out righted off of the 40-man roster following the season on November 19, 2021.^[18] He began the 2022 season with the Double–A San Antonio Missions, compiling a 4–6 record and 5.63 ERA with 55 strikeouts across 17 starts. Lawson announced his retirement from professional baseball on August 13, 2022.^[19]

On November 14, 2023, Lawson came out of retirement and re–joined the Padres organization.^[20] He returned to Double-A San Antonio for the 2024 season, but struggled to an 8.10 ERA with 14 strikeouts in 13+1⁄3 innings pitched across 13 relief outings. Lawson elected free agency following the season on November 4, 2024.^[21]