Bryan Shaw Stats & Scouting Report

IP	4
ERA	9
WHIP	3
BB/9	9
SO/9	9

Full name Bryan Anthony Shaw
Born 11/08/1987 in Livermore, CA
Profile Ht.: 6'1" / Wt.: 226 / Bats: S / Throws: R
School Long Beach State
Debut 06/10/2011
Drafted in the 2nd round (73rd overall) by the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2008 (signed for $553,000).

View Draft Report

Long Beach State righted itself after a rough midseason patch, and Shaw had been key to the turnaround as the team's power closer. He's from Livermore, Calif., which seems to churn out hard throwers. It's the hometown of Randy Johnson and Giants reliever Erick Threets. While both of those hard-throwing lefties have touched 100 mph in their careers, Shaw touches 95-96 mph and sits in the 92-94 range. His slider can be a real power breaking ball when he's going well, sitting in the low to mid-80s. While he's just 6-foot-1, he does a good job of missing down and keeping the ball in the ballpark. Shaw also has excellent control for a power pitcher. His stuff might be short to be a big league closer, but he should move quickly into a setup role.

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

The Diamondbacks drafted Shaw in the second round in 2008 based on his impressive work as the closer at Long Beach State. He has bounced between the bullpen and rotation in this three years as a pro and pitched exclusively out of the bullpen in the Arizona Fall League following the 2010 season. While Arizona would have been delighted if he had blossomed as a starter, Shaw primarily has been in rotations to get innings. He profiles better as a reliever. His velocity is more consistent coming out of the bullpen, and he feels more comfortable there. Shaw has a four-pitch mix, and all are at least average offerings. His 90-94 mph fastball has plus movement and sink. His curveball has the potential to be a plus pitch, and he throws a good slider with cut action. Shaw will move to Triple-A in 2011 and could get a call to the big leagues when a reliever is needed.
Shaw hails from Livermore, Calif., where there must be something in the water. Both future Hall of Famer Randy Johnson and former Giants reliever Erick Threets are also from the city, and both have thrown 100 mph. Shaw sits more comfortably in the mid-90s, and as a 6-foot-1 righthander isn't quite as intimidating on the mound. He was Long Beach State's closer last spring, signing with Arizona as a second-round pick for $553,000, then worked out of the bullpen at Missoula and South Bend but didn't have as much success. His pure stuff is impressive, though, as he sits at 92-94 mph and touches 96, with a power slider that could develop into a plus pitch. He also throws a splitter and a changeup, though both pitches need more development. Dialing in his command will be key for Shaw, particularly with his fastball, as will working the ball down in the strike zone. Shaw is young for a college junior, and will play the 2009 season at 21, so the Diamondbacks will be patient with him. In fact, they'll probably watch him through the spring and into the summer to see whether he'll be a starter or reliever. His stuff might be a bit short for the back of the bullpen, while he would take more time to develop as a starter. He should open his first full pro season in low Class A.

Minor League Top Prospects

Shaw's stuff was much more impressive than his 6.75 ERA in the Pioneer League, though that mark was inflated when he gave up five runs in his first pro outing. His fastball sits at 92-94 mph and touches 96, his hard slider is a solid-average pitch with plus potential, and he also has a splitter. He does a good job of working down in the zone and generating groundballs. Shaw runs into trouble with his command at times, getting knocked around when he doesn't locate his pitches well. He was a reliever at Long Beach State, and the Diamondbacks are debating whether to keep him in that role and move him through the system quickly or to take more time to develop him as a starter.

Career Transactions

Salt Lake Bees released RHP Bryan Shaw.
RHP Bryan Shaw assigned to Salt Lake Bees.
Los Angeles Angels signed free agent RHP Bryan Shaw to a minor league contract.
RHP Bryan Shaw elected free agency.
Chicago White Sox sent RHP Bryan Shaw outright to Charlotte Knights.
Chicago White Sox designated RHP Bryan Shaw for assignment.
Chicago White Sox selected the contract of RHP Bryan Shaw from Charlotte Knights.
RHP Bryan Shaw assigned to Charlotte Knights.
Chicago White Sox signed free agent RHP Bryan Shaw to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training.
Chicago White Sox selected the contract of RHP Bryan Shaw from Charlotte Knights.
Chicago White Sox selected the contract of RHP Bryan Shaw from Charlotte Knights.
Chicago White Sox sent RHP Bryan Shaw outright to Charlotte Knights.
Chicago White Sox sent RHP Bryan Shaw outright to Charlotte Knights.
Chicago White Sox designated RHP Bryan Shaw for assignment.
Chicago White Sox selected the contract of RHP Bryan Shaw from Charlotte Knights.
Chicago White Sox activated RHP Bryan Shaw.
Charlotte Knights activated RHP Bryan Shaw.
RHP Bryan Shaw assigned to ACL White Sox.
Chicago White Sox signed free agent RHP Bryan Shaw to a minor league contract.
Charlotte Knights released RHP Bryan Shaw.
RHP Bryan Shaw roster status changed by Chicago White Sox.
RHP Bryan Shaw assigned to Chicago White Sox.
RHP Bryan Shaw assigned to Charlotte Knights.
Chicago White Sox signed free agent RHP Bryan Shaw to a minor league contract.