Bryan Anthony Shaw (born November 8, 1987) is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Arizona Diamondbacks, Colorado Rockies, Seattle Mariners, Cleveland Indians/Guardians, and Chicago White Sox.

Bryan Shaw
Shaw with the Cleveland Indians in 2021
Free agent
Pitcher
Born: (1987-11-08) November 8, 1987 (age 37)
Livermore, California, U.S.
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
MLB debut
June 10, 2011, for the Arizona Diamondbacks
MLB statistics
(through 2024 season)
Win–loss record43–46
Earned run average3.96
Strikeouts681
Stats at Baseball Reference Edit this at Wikidata
Teams

Early life

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Shaw was born to Richard, a member of the California Highway Patrol, and Michelle (Shelli) Shaw. He attended Livermore High School in Livermore, California where he played baseball, football, and basketball.[1]

Career

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Amateur

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Shaw attended California State University, Long Beach. He played college baseball for the Long Beach State Dirtbags baseball team. Shaw's roommate in college was teammate Vance Worley.[2] In 2007, Shaw played collegiate summer baseball with the Chatham A's of the Cape Cod Baseball League.[3][4]

Arizona Diamondbacks

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Shaw with the Diamondbacks in 2011

Shaw was selected in the second round of the 2008 Major League Baseball draft by the Arizona Diamondbacks.[2] He was called up by Arizona on June 10, 2011.[5] Shaw made his major league debut that day, coming in for Esmerling Vásquez, who had just given up a leadoff double. Shaw pitched one scoreless inning against the Florida Marlins, giving up two walks and one strikeout, coming against Scott Cousins.[6]

Shaw was recalled from the Diamondbacks' Triple-A affiliate, the Reno Aces on August 11, 2012.[7]

Cleveland Indians

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Shaw with the Indians in 2017

On December 11, 2012, Shaw was traded to the Cleveland Indians in a three-team deal involving Trevor Bauer and Shin-Soo Choo.[8] Shaw and his wife, Kristen, had bought a house in Arizona the day before the trade.[9]

Shaw had a good 2014 season. In 80 games and 76.1 innings, he finished 5–5 with a 2.59 earned run average (ERA), 64 strikeouts, and 2 saves. Shaw appeared in more games than any other big league pitcher that year.

In 2016, Shaw led the American League (AL) in games pitched again, with 75. He went 2–5 with a 3.24 ERA and helped Cleveland win the pennant. Shaw gave up the game-winning run to the Chicago Cubs in Game 7 of the 2016 World Series, in extra innings.

In 2017, Shaw was 4–6 with a 3.52 ERA in 79 games, and he threw a cutter 87.1% of the time, tops in MLB.[10]

Colorado Rockies

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On December 12, 2017, Shaw signed a three-year, $27 million deal, with the Colorado Rockies.[11] Through 41 appearances in the first half of the season, Shaw endured the worst start to his career, posting an ERA of 7.57 in 35+23 innings, surrendering 50 hits. He was placed on the disabled list on June 25 with a calf injury.[12] For the 2018 season, he was 4–6 with a 5.93 ERA.[13] He threw a cutter 84.36% of the time, tops in MLB.[14] In 2019, Shaw posted an ERA over 5 for the second straight season. He ended the 2019 season with a 3–2 record in 70 games.

The Rockies released Shaw on July 17, 2020.

Seattle Mariners

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Shaw signed a one-year deal with the Seattle Mariners on July 22, 2020.[15] He was optioned to the alternate site on August 7, 2020. He was designated for assignment on August 15, 2020. Four days later, on August 19, he was outrighted from the 40-man roster and remained in the alternate site. Shaw elected free agency on October 14, 2020.[16]

Cleveland Indians / Guardians (second stint)

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On February 3, 2021, Shaw signed a minor league contract with the Cleveland Indians organization and was invited to spring training.[17][18] The Indians selected Shaw's contract on March 31, 2021.[19][20] In 2021 he led the majors with 81 games pitched and recorded a 3.49 ERA with 71 strikeouts in 77+13 innings. Shaw became a free agent on November 3, 2021.

On March 25, 2022, Shaw signed a one-year major league contract with the newly named Cleveland Guardians.[21] On July 27, Shaw made the first start of his career, allowing 2 runs on 3 hits with one walk and 2 strikeouts in 2.1 innings pitched against the Boston Red Sox. His 732 appearances prior to the start marked the most games pitched prior to a player making his first career start in AL/NL history, surpassing the previous record held by David Robertson (with 670 relief outings).[22] Shaw appeared in 60 games for Cleveland in 2022, posting a 6–2 record and 5.40 ERA with 52 strikeouts in 58.1 innings pitched. He was designated for assignment on October 1, 2022.[23] After clearing waivers, Shaw was outrighted to the minor leagues on October 3. He elected minor league free agency on November 10, 2022.[24]

Chicago White Sox

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On February 21, 2023, Shaw signed a minor league contract with the Chicago White Sox organization.[25][26] On March 26, Shaw was released by the White Sox after being informed he would not make the Opening Day roster.[27][28]

Shaw re-signed with Chicago on a new minor league contract on April 28.[29] In 21 relief appearances with the Triple-A Charlotte Knights, he pitched to a 2–0 record with a 4.03 ERA and 24 strikeouts over 22.1 innings. On July 2, his contract was selected by the White Sox following an injury to starter Michael Kopech.[30] In 6 games, he struggled to a 9.39 ERA with 4 strikeouts in 7+23 innings of work. On July 22, Shaw was designated for assignment by the White Sox.[31] He cleared waivers and was sent outright to Triple–A Charlotte on July 24.[32] On July 28, Shaw had his contract selected back to the active roster.[33] He became a free agent after the season.

On February 17, 2024, Shaw re–signed with the White Sox on a minor league contract that included an invitation to spring training.[34] On March 27, the White Sox selected Shaw's contract after he made the team's Opening Day roster.[35] He made five appearances for Chicago, posting a 9.00 ERA with four strikeouts across four innings pitched. On April 12, the White Sox designated Shaw for assignment.[36] He elected free agency the following day.[37]

Los Angeles Angels

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On April 17, 2024, Shaw signed a minor league contract with the Los Angeles Angels.[38] In 39 appearances for the Triple–A Salt Lake Bees, he recorded a 4.14 ERA with 34 strikeouts and 7 saves across 41+13 innings pitched. Shaw was released by the Angels organization on August 14.[39]

Personal life

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Shaw and his wife, Kristen, have one son together.[40]

References

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  1. ^ "Bryan Shaw Bio". California State University, Long Beach. Archived from the original on December 1, 2017. Retrieved November 28, 2017.
  2. ^ a b Zuppe, T.J. (June 12, 2017). "Lagging internet, anxious mornings and dugout phone calls:..." The Athletic. Retrieved November 28, 2017.
  3. ^ "Major League Baseball Players From the Cape Cod League" (PDF). capecodbaseball.org. Retrieved January 9, 2020.
  4. ^ "2007 Chatham As". thebaseballcube.com. Retrieved September 23, 2021.
  5. ^ "Diamondbacks select Shaw from Triple-A". WTSP/WLTX. June 10, 2011. Retrieved June 10, 2011.Alternate URL
  6. ^ Piecoro, Nick (June 10, 2011). "Arizona Diamondbacks manager sees progress in loss". AZCentral.com. Retrieved June 11, 2011.
  7. ^ "Diamondbacks recall P Shaw and select INF Elmore | Fox News". Fox News. Archived from the original on February 23, 2014. Retrieved February 26, 2014.
  8. ^ "Tribe gets Bauer from D-backs, Choo heads to Reds". MLB.com.
  9. ^ Bona, Marc (August 3, 2017). "Cleveland Indians wives maintain strong involvement in local charities". cleveland.com. The Plain Dealer. Retrieved November 29, 2017.
  10. ^ "Statcast Pitch Arsenals Leaderboard". baseballsavant.com.
  11. ^ "Sources: Shaw to Rockies for 3 years, $27M". ESPN.com. December 13, 2017.
  12. ^ Freemyer, Jordan (June 24, 2018). "Colorado Rockies place reliever Bryan Shaw on 10-day DL, recall Yency Almonte". Purple Row.
  13. ^ "Bryan Shaw Stats". Baseball-Reference.com.
  14. ^ "Statcast Pitch Arsenals Leaderboard". baseballsavant.com.
  15. ^ https://www.denverpost.com/2020/07/23/mariners-sign-brian-shaw-place-tom-murphy-il Mariners sign Bryan Shaw, place Tom Murphy on IL ahead of opener
  16. ^ "Triple-A West Transactions | Triple-A West Stats". Triple-A West.
  17. ^ Noga, Joe (February 3, 2021). "Cleveland Indians sign relievers Bryan Shaw, Heath Hembree to minor-league deals with invites to major-league spring training". Cleveland Plain-Dealer. Retrieved April 29, 2023.
  18. ^ Lewis, Ryan (February 21, 2023). "Indians sign relievers Bryan Shaw, DJ Johnson to minor-league deals; Heath Hembree reportedly signed". Akron Beacon Journal. Retrieved April 29, 2023.
  19. ^ Dellecese, Chris (March 24, 2021). "Reliever Bryan Shaw makes Tribe Opening Day roster". WOIO. Retrieved April 29, 2023.
  20. ^ Bell, Mandy (March 24, 2021). "Veteran reliever Shaw makes Tribe's roster". MLB.com. Retrieved April 29, 2023.
  21. ^ "Cleveland re-signs Bryan Shaw". CleGuardians.com. March 25, 2022.
  22. ^ "732 games before 1st start? That's a record". mlb.com. Retrieved May 25, 2023.
  23. ^ "Cleveland Guardians add Bo Naylor, Zach Pleac; DFA Bryan Shaw, option Tyler Freeman". cleveland.com. January 7, 2022. Retrieved October 1, 2022.
  24. ^ "2022-23 Minor League Free Agents For All 30 MLB Teams". Baseball America. Retrieved April 29, 2023.
  25. ^ Noga, Joe (February 22, 2023). "Ex-Guardians reliever Bryan Shaw signs minor league deal with White Sox". Cleveland Plain-Dealer. Retrieved April 29, 2023.
  26. ^ Van Schouwen, Daryl (February 22, 2023). "White Sox add Bryan Shaw to bullpen picture". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved April 29, 2023.
  27. ^ Van Schouwen, Daryl (March 26, 2023). "Leury Garcia to be left off White Sox' Opening Day roster". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved April 29, 2023.
  28. ^ Fegan, James (March 26, 2023). "White Sox roster projection 3.0: Just waiting for the official announcement". The Athletic. Retrieved April 29, 2023.
  29. ^ "Frazier gets minors deal with ChiSox days after Rangers release". ESPN.com. Associated Press. April 28, 2023. Retrieved April 29, 2023.
  30. ^ "White Sox's Bryan Shaw: Back in majors with ChiSox". cbssports.com. July 2, 2023. Retrieved July 2, 2023.
  31. ^ "White Sox's Bryan Shaw: Jettisoned from 40-man roster". cbssports.com. Retrieved July 22, 2023.
  32. ^ "White Sox's Bryan Shaw: Joining Triple-A Charlotte". cbssports.com. Retrieved July 24, 2023.
  33. ^ "White Sox's Bryan Shaw: Joining big-league bullpen". cbssports.com. Retrieved July 30, 2023.
  34. ^ "White Sox's Bryan Shaw: Invited to White Sox camp". cbssports.com. February 17, 2024. Retrieved February 17, 2024.
  35. ^ "White Sox's Bryan Shaw: Added to big-league roster". cbssports.com. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
  36. ^ "White Sox Select Zach Remillard, Justin Anderson". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved April 12, 2024.
  37. ^ "Bryan Shaw: Elects free agency". cbssports.com. April 13, 2024. Retrieved April 13, 2024.
  38. ^ "Angels' Bryan Shaw: Received MiLB deal from Angels". cbssports.com. Retrieved April 17, 2024.
  39. ^ "Transactions".
  40. ^ "Reinvented Bryan Shaw ready to throw for Indians".
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