Derek Law – Washington Nationals Biography, Contract, Net Worth Information

Derek Law, born September 14, 1990, in Pittsburgh, PA, has really carved out a steady career as a pro baseball pitcher.

The right-hander, who goes by “Lawdog,” now takes the mound for the Washington Nationals in Major League Baseball.

His pro journey kicked off when the San Francisco Giants picked him in the 9th round of the 2011 MLB Draft after he played at Miami Dade Community College.

Derek Law’s current contract with the Washington Nationals is worth $2,750,000 for one year, and it’s all guaranteed. That’s a big jump from his last salary of $1,000,000.

He joined the Nationals on a minor league deal with an invite to big league camp in February 2024, then earned his way onto the major league roster.

Law has built up a respectable financial profile over his MLB years. His estimated net worth stands at $2,861,909, which reflects his time with several organizations.

He’s shown that even non-superstar relievers can find financial stability in today’s baseball—though he’s bounced between the minors and majors since his MLB debut.

Early Life and Background

Derek Law started his path to the big leagues in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where he was born on September 14, 1990.

His early years mixed family influence, education, and a natural knack for baseball.

Family and Upbringing

Derek Robert Law grew up in Pittsburgh, a city with deep baseball roots.

Details about his parents aren’t really out there, but growing up in the Pirates’ backyard probably meant baseball was always around.

Western Pennsylvania has produced plenty of MLB talent, so Law likely had some local heroes to look up to.

As a kid in the ’90s and early 2000s, Law watched the Pirates play at Three Rivers Stadium before they moved to PNC Park in 2001.

That era of Pittsburgh baseball probably shaped his earliest memories of the game.

Law’s physical build hinted at his athletic potential from a young age.

He eventually reached 6 feet 3 inches tall and 225 pounds, a pretty ideal size for a power pitcher.

Education and Early Interests

Law chose Miami Dade Community College in Florida, which is well-known for its baseball program.

That decision shows how serious he was about developing his skills while still getting an education.

At Miami Dade, Law worked on his pitching and kept up with his studies.

Community college ball can offer valuable playing time and development, especially compared to bigger universities.

During those years, Law probably started to shape the pitching style that would earn him the nickname “Lawdog” later on.

College baseball taught him plenty about competition, discipline, and the basics of pitching.

Path to Professional Baseball

Law’s road to pro baseball had some twists—he got drafted twice, which says a lot about his persistence.

The San Francisco Giants finally picked him up in the 9th round of the 2011 MLB Draft, 297th overall.

After the draft, Law spent a few years developing in the minor leagues.

That stretch was crucial for any hopeful MLB player.

He used those years to sharpen his pitching, get stronger, and get used to pro baseball’s grind.

His minor league numbers showed promise, and eventually, he earned a call to the majors.

On April 15, 2016, at age 25, Law finally made his MLB debut.

That day marked the end of his early journey and the start of his big league career.

Professional Baseball Career

Derek Law has put together a solid career as a reliever, fighting his way up from the minors to the MLB.

He’s played for several teams and delivered at both the major league and Triple-A levels.

MLB Debut and Major Teams

Law made his MLB debut with the San Francisco Giants, where he first showed off his stuff.

He’s since bounced between a few organizations, proving his worth as a bullpen arm.

Law’s path eventually brought him to the Washington Nationals, where he signed a one-year, $2,750,000 contract.

That’s a pretty big milestone, showing teams still see his value.

At 6-3 and 225 pounds, Law’s presence on the mound is hard to miss.

Fans from several teams have gotten used to seeing his right-handed delivery over the years.

Performance in Triple-A

Law has spent a fair amount of time at Triple-A, working on his pitching arsenal.

These stretches tested his resilience and gave him chances to prove himself as a reliable bullpen option.

His Triple-A performances helped him earn returns to the majors when teams needed him.

A lot of relievers bounce between MLB and Triple-A, and Law has shown the mental strength to handle that uncertainty.

Triple-A gave Law space to work on his mechanics and build confidence against tough hitters.

When he got called back up, those experiences paid off in big moments.

Role with Cleveland Guardians

Law also spent time with the Cleveland organization, adding another chapter to his journey.

With the Guardians, he kept developing his skills against competitive AL lineups.

Cleveland’s focus on pitching probably helped him as he fought to stick in the majors.

The Guardians were just one stop along Law’s well-traveled career.

Relief pitchers often move around, and Law’s ability to adjust to new teams and coaches has kept him in the game.

His stints with different organizations, including Cleveland, have helped him reach career earnings of over $2.8 million.

Contracts and Salary Progression

Derek Law’s financial story in MLB has had its ups and downs—pretty typical for a reliever.

His paychecks have changed with his performance, health, and the market.

Initial MLB Contracts

Law started out with the Giants after the 2011 draft.

He signed a minor league deal and eventually made his MLB debut in 2016.

As a rookie, Law earned about $507,500, which is standard for new players.

That first year, he posted a 2.13 ERA in 55 innings, setting himself up for better contracts.

The Giants kept him on team-controlled deals early on, as is usual for players without much service time.

Those pre-arb contracts capped his earnings even when he pitched well.

Key Contract Details

Law’s current salary is $2,750,000 with the Nationals, thanks to a one-year deal signed in February 2024.

That’s a big jump compared to his earlier years.

The contract includes performance bonuses, so he could make even more if things go right.

Teams often structure deals this way for relievers who need to prove themselves year after year.

Before joining the Nationals, Law’s net worth was around $2.86 million, showing steady financial growth.

Most of his deals have been short-term, which is pretty common for bullpen guys.

Free Agency Moves

Law has navigated free agency a few times, signing with teams like the Blue Jays, Twins, Tigers, Reds, and Nationals after leaving the Giants.

These moves show that Law knows how to market himself, even when his career’s had its ups and downs.

His size (6’3″, 225 pounds) and right-handed delivery keep teams interested.

Law’s biggest contract came after proving he could deliver over several seasons.

Teams usually offer him one-year deals, which lets them manage risk while Law tries to boost his earnings.

The minor league contract with Washington in February 2024 included a shot at a major league spot, which he earned through solid play.

Net Worth and Financial Profile

Derek Law has built up real wealth from his MLB career, mostly through his contracts.

He’s managed his money carefully, which has helped him build a solid financial foundation.

Estimated Net Worth

Law’s net worth sits at about $2.86 million, based on his MLB contracts, bonuses, and maybe a few investments since debuting with the Giants in 2016.

His net worth has grown steadily, especially as he’s signed bigger contracts.

He’s not at the top tier for relievers, but he’s done well for someone who’s moved around a lot and stayed valuable in the bullpen.

Earnings from Professional Baseball

Law’s earnings have climbed a lot in recent seasons.

His latest contract with the Nationals is worth $2.75 million for 2025—his highest annual salary so far.

Before that, he made $1.5 million with Washington, which was a bargain for the team since his performance was valued at $2.9 million by FanGraphs.

Law has drawn paychecks from the Giants, Blue Jays, Twins, Tigers, and Nationals.

His career earnings show the typical path for relievers who become reliable bullpen options.

Real Estate Holdings

Law keeps details about his real estate private, but at his income level, he probably owns at least one home.

Most MLB players with similar earnings invest in residential property, either in their hometown or near their team.

Players often buy homes in their team’s city or in spring training spots like Arizona or Florida.

Since Law’s moved around a lot, he might prefer more flexible investments over owning several properties.

Real estate is a big part of many athletes’ portfolios, offering both a place to live and long-term value.

Legal and Off-Field Matters

Derek Law’s career has crossed paths with various legal aspects that come with being a pro athlete.

He’s had to navigate the complicated legal side of pro sports.

Litigation and Disputes

Law has kept a pretty low profile when it comes to legal disputes.

Unlike some athletes who seem to end up in court a lot, he’s mostly focused on his pitching.

When the Nationals signed him to a $2.75 million contract, the deal included standard clauses to protect both sides.

These cover things like performance expectations, conduct, and injuries.

Athletes like Law usually have lawyers check over contracts before signing.

That’s just smart—better to avoid litigation risks that can pop up from misunderstandings down the road.

Commercial Litigation Involvement

Law’s commercial ventures? They’re actually pretty modest when you stack them up against some of the bigger names in MLB. He mainly earns his income from his baseball salary, which hit $1 million per year with his past contracts.

For most MLB players, commercial deals usually look like this:

• Endorsement agreements
• Licensing rights
• Investment opportunities
• Real estate transactions

Every commercial venture comes with some risk of litigation. But as far as anyone knows, Law hasn’t gotten tangled up in any major business disputes. His estimated $2.86 million net worth hints at a pretty cautious approach to money, which probably keeps him out of unnecessary legal trouble.

Appeals and Legal Research

Appeals can get pretty important in baseball, whether it’s on the field or at the negotiation table. MLB players often find themselves needing to understand how league appeals work.

1. Performance suspensions: Players sometimes appeal disciplinary actions.
2. Salary arbitration: They present research-based arguments.
3. Contract option appeals: Players can challenge a team’s contract decisions.

Law has dealt with the usual player rights around appeals, especially during contract negotiations. In 2024, FanGraphs valued his performance at $2.9 million. That could give him some extra leverage in his next round of contract talks.

Use of Evidence in Legal Proceedings

Statistical evidence really matters in baseball contract negotiations. Law’s agents probably brought up all sorts of performance metrics when they talked with the Washington Nationals.

Here are some key stats that usually come up as evidence during these negotiations:

Metric	Importance	Impact on Negotiations
ERA	Shows effectiveness	Teams pay more for lower ERA
Innings pitched	Proves durability	More innings means more value
Strikeout rate	Measures dominance	Higher K% boosts value

Teams don’t just stop at stats—they gather medical evidence too. They run physical exams before signing any contracts.

This evidence-based approach helps both sides know exactly what they’re getting into when they make a deal.