Aaron Steven Laffey (born April 15, 1985) is an American former professional
baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball games, bat-and-ball sport played between two team sport, teams of nine players each, taking turns batting (baseball), batting and Fielding (baseball), fielding. The game occurs over the course of several Pitch ...
pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throws ("Pitch (baseball), pitches") the Baseball (ball), baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of out (baseball), retiring a batter (baseball), batter, ...
. He made his
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball (MLB) is a professional baseball league composed of 30 teams, divided equally between the National League (baseball), National League (NL) and the American League (AL), with 29 in the United States and 1 in Canada. MLB i ...
(MLB) debut with the
Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Guardians are an American professional baseball team based in Cleveland. The Guardians compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) American League Central, Central Division. Since , the team ...
in 2007. Also, he played in MLB with the
Seattle Mariners
The Seattle Mariners are an American professional baseball team based in Seattle. The Mariners compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) American League West, West Division. The team joined the American ...
,
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are an American professional baseball team based in the Boroughs of New York City, New York City borough of the Bronx. The Yankees compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) Am ...
,
Toronto Blue Jays
The Toronto Blue Jays are a Canadian professional baseball team based in Toronto. The Blue Jays compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) American League East, East Division. Since 1989, the team has p ...
,
New York Mets
The New York Mets are an American professional baseball team based in the Boroughs of New York City, New York City borough of Queens. The Mets compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (baseball), National ...
, and
Colorado Rockies
The Colorado Rockies are an American professional baseball team based in Denver. The Rockies compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (baseball), National League (NL) National League West, West Division. Th ...
.
Professional career
Cleveland Indians
Laffey was drafted out of high school by the
Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Guardians are an American professional baseball team based in Cleveland. The Guardians compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) American League Central, Central Division. Since , the team ...
in the 16th round (468th overall) of the
2003 Major League Baseball draft
The 2003 Major League Baseball draft, was held on June 3 and 4. It was conducted via conference call with representatives from each of the league's 30 teams.
''Source:MLB.com 2003 Draft Tracker'
First round selections
Supplemental first r ...
. He had committed to play college baseball at
Virginia Tech
The Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, commonly referred to as Virginia Tech (VT), is a Public university, public Land-grant college, land-grant research university with its main campus in Blacksburg, Virginia, United States ...
, but signed with the Indians on July 1, 2003.
He was assigned to begin his professional career with the Rookie-level
Burlington Indians, and went 3–1 in nine games (four starts) while
striking out
''Striking Out'' is an Television in the Republic of Ireland, Irish television legal drama television series, broadcast on RTÉ, that first aired on 1 January 2017, based on ''The Good Wife'' by Robert King (writer), Robert and Michelle King. Prod ...
46 in 34 innings pitched.
In 2004, while with the Single-A
Mahoning Valley Scrappers
The Mahoning Valley Scrappers are a collegiate summer baseball team of the MLB Draft League. They are located in Niles, Ohio, a city in the valley of the Mahoning River, and play their home games at Eastwood Field. From 1999 to 2020, they were ...
, Laffey went 3–1 with a 1.24
ERA
An era is a span of time.
Era or ERA may also refer to:
* Era (geology), a subdivision of geologic time
* Calendar era
Education
* Academy of European Law (German: '), an international law school
* ERA School, in Melbourne, Australia
* E ...
in eight starts, which earned him a promotion to the Single-A
Lake County Captains
The Lake County Captains are a Minor League Baseball team in Eastlake, Ohio, a suburb of Cleveland, that plays in the Midwest League as the High-A affiliate of the Cleveland Guardians.
The Captains joined the Class A Midwest League following ...
. With the Captains, he was 3–7 with a 6.53 ERA in 19 games (15 starts).
Laffey started the 2005 season with Lake County and went 7–7 with a 3.22 ERA in 25 games (23 starts). He was later called up to the Double-A
Akron Aeros
The Akron RubberDucks are a Minor League Baseball team based in Akron, Ohio. The team, which plays in the Eastern League, is the Double-A affiliate of the Cleveland Guardians. They play in Canal Park, located in downtown Akron, which seats 7,63 ...
for one game in which he picked up the
victory
The term victory (from ) originally applied to warfare, and denotes success achieved in personal duel, combat, after military operations in general or, by extension, in any competition. Success in a military campaign constitutes a strategic vi ...
by going five innings and allowing two
runs while striking out six.
Laffey started the 2006 season with the Single-A Advanced
Kinston Indians, where he posted a 4–1 record with a 2.18 ERA in 10 games (four starts).
His performance earned him a promotion to Double-A Akron, where he went 8–3 with a 3.53 ERA in 19 starts.
In 2007, Laffey was 4–1 with a 2.31 ERA in six starts with Akron before being promoted to the Triple-A
Buffalo Bisons
The Buffalo Bisons (known colloquially as the Herd) are a Minor League Baseball team of the International League and the Triple-A affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays. Located in Buffalo, New York, the team plays their home games at Sahlen Fiel ...
.
Before his call up to the majors, he was 7–3 with a 3.28 ERA in 14 games (13 starts) for Buffalo.

On August 4, 2007, Laffey made his major league debut against the
Minnesota Twins
The Minnesota Twins are an American professional baseball team based in Minneapolis. The Twins compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) American League Central, Central Division. The team is named afte ...
; he went innings while allowing six
hits
Hits or H.I.T.S. may refer to:
Arts, entertainment, and media Music
* '' H.I.T.S.'', 1991 album by New Kids on the Block
* ''...Hits'' (Phil Collins album), 1998
* ''Hits'' (compilation series), 1984–2006; 2014, a British compilation album s ...
, three runs, a
walk
Walking (also known as ambulation) is one of the main gaits of terrestrial locomotion among legged animals. Walking is typically slower than running and other gaits. Walking is defined as an "inverted pendulum" gait in which the body vaults over ...
, and three strikeouts in a
losing effort. In his second start on August 9, against the
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are an American professional baseball team based in Chicago. The White Sox compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) American League Central, Central Division. The club plays its ...
, Laffey picked up his first MLB victory. He went innings, allowed six hits, four runs, three walks, and struck out four in the Indians' 7–5 victory. On August 10, a day after Laffey's first MLB victory, he was demoted to Triple-A Buffalo. On August 25, Laffey was recalled to pitch against the
Kansas City Royals
The Kansas City Royals are an American professional baseball team based in Kansas City, Missouri. The Royals compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) American League Central, Central Division. The team ...
. Laffey won again, going six innings and allowing eight hits, two runs, and one walk while striking out four. He made nine total starts with Cleveland in 2007, going 4–2 with a 4.56 ERA.
Laffey went into
spring training
Spring training, also called spring camp, is the preseason of the Summer Professional Baseball Leagues, such as Major League Baseball (MLB), and it is a series of practices and exhibition games preceding the start of the regular season. Spri ...
in 2008 competing for the fifth spot in the rotation. However,
Cliff Lee
Clifton Phifer Lee (born August 30, 1978) is an American former professional baseball starting pitcher who played for 13 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB). Between 2002 and 2014 he played for the Cleveland Indians, Philadelphia Phillies, S ...
won the job, and Laffey was sent back to Buffalo. He was recalled on April 24 following an injury to
Jake Westbrook. Laffey was named
American League
The American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the American League (AL), is the younger of two sports leagues, leagues constituting Major League Baseball (MLB) in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western L ...
Rookie of the Month for May. Laffey had a 3–2 record and an 0.79 ERA for the month. Opponents
batted .220 against him in May over a 34-inning span.
Seattle Mariners
On March 2, 2011, Laffey was traded to the
Seattle Mariners
The Seattle Mariners are an American professional baseball team based in Seattle. The Mariners compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) American League West, West Division. The team joined the American ...
in exchange for prospect Matt Lawson. He was designated for assignment on August 17, after going 1–1 with a 4.01 ERA in innings, spanning 36 appearances.
New York Yankees
Laffey was claimed off waivers by the
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are an American professional baseball team based in the Boroughs of New York City, New York City borough of the Bronx. The Yankees compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) Am ...
on August 19, 2011. Laffey made his debut the next night against the
Minnesota Twins
The Minnesota Twins are an American professional baseball team based in Minneapolis. The Twins compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) American League Central, Central Division. The team is named afte ...
. He was designated for assignment the next day to clear a roster spot for
Alex Rodriguez
Alexander Emmanuel Rodriguez (born July 27, 1975), nicknamed "A-Rod", is an American former professional baseball shortstop, third baseman and designated hitter and current businessman. Rodriguez played 22 seasons in Major League Baseball (ML ...
, though he was placed on optional waivers. Laffey cleared waivers and was sent to the Triple-A
Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees
The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders, often abbreviated to SWB RailRiders, are a Minor League Baseball team of the International League (IL) and the Triple-A affiliate of the New York Yankees. They are located in Moosic, Pennsylvania, in the S ...
. He was called back up to the majors when the rosters expanded in September, and pitched regularly as a reliever through the final weeks of the season. Laffey compiled a 2–1 record and a 3.38 ERA in 11 relief appearances for the Yankees.
Kansas City Royals
Laffey was claimed off waivers by the
Kansas City Royals
The Kansas City Royals are an American professional baseball team based in Kansas City, Missouri. The Royals compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) American League Central, Central Division. The team ...
on October 11, 2011. He was non-tendered by the Royals on December 12, 2011.
Toronto Blue Jays
On December 30, 2011, Laffey signed a minor league contract with the
Toronto Blue Jays
The Toronto Blue Jays are a Canadian professional baseball team based in Toronto. The Blue Jays compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) American League East, East Division. Since 1989, the team has p ...
. After failing to make the team out of spring training, Laffey had his contract purchased by Toronto on April 8, 2012. However, Laffey was sent back down to the Triple-A
Las Vegas 51s on April 14 without having pitched for the Jays.
After pitching for six weeks in Las Vegas (compiling a 2–5 record, and a 4.88 ERA in nine starts), Laffey was again called up to the majors on May 28, but was again sent back down just three days later without having thrown a pitch for the Blue Jays. Laffey made two more starts for Las Vegas (in which he went 1–0) before being called up to the Jays for the third time on June 11. He finally pitched his first game as a Blue Jay on June 13, giving up two runs in three innings of relief work against the
Washington Nationals
The Washington Nationals are an American professional baseball team based in Washington, D.C. The Nationals compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) East Division. They play their home games at Na ...
. After several Blue Jays starters were shut down due to injuries, Laffey was added to the Blue Jays' starting rotation in late June. He finished the season with a 4–6 record and a 4.56 ERA in 22 games (16 starts).
On October 4, 2012, Laffey was outrighted to the Blue Jays' Triple-A affiliate, the
Buffalo Bisons
The Buffalo Bisons (known colloquially as the Herd) are a Minor League Baseball team of the International League and the Triple-A affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays. Located in Buffalo, New York, the team plays their home games at Sahlen Fiel ...
. He elected free agency that same day.
New York Mets
On December 27, 2012, Laffey signed a minor league contract with the
New York Mets
The New York Mets are an American professional baseball team based in the Boroughs of New York City, New York City borough of Queens. The Mets compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (baseball), National ...
. The deal included an invitation to Major League spring training.
Laffey made his first start for the Mets on April 7, going innings and giving up three
earned runs
In baseball, an earned run is any Run (baseball), run that was fully enabled by the offensive team's production in the face of competent play from the defensive team. Conversely, an unearned run is a run that would not have been scored without the ...
, striking out five, and walking one in a 4–3 victory over the
Miami Marlins
The Miami Marlins are an American professional baseball team based in Miami. The Marlins compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (baseball), National League (NL) National League East, East Division. The ...
. Laffey received a no-decision for the game. Laffey was
designated for assignment
Designated for assignment (DFA) is a contractual term used in Major League Baseball (MLB). A player who is designated for assignment is immediately removed from the team's 40-man roster, after which the team must, within seven days, return the pla ...
on April 21, 2013. He had pitched four games (two starts) for the Mets, earning no decisions and finishing with a 7.20 ERA.
Toronto Blue Jays (second stint)
On April 23, 2013, the Blue Jays announced that they had claimed Laffey on waivers. He made his first start for the 2013 Blue Jays on April 26 against the New York Yankees, filling in for
Josh Johnson, who was scratched due to a sore right triceps. Laffey pitched innings, giving up two earned runs on two hits and walking five batters. He was designated for assignment following the game. The Blue Jays announced on April 29 that Laffey had refused an assignment to the
Buffalo Bisons
The Buffalo Bisons (known colloquially as the Herd) are a Minor League Baseball team of the International League and the Triple-A affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays. Located in Buffalo, New York, the team plays their home games at Sahlen Fiel ...
, and had become a free agent.
Los Angeles Dodgers
On April 30, 2013, Laffey signed a minor league contract with the
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are an American professional baseball team based in Los Angeles. The Dodgers compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (baseball), National League (NL) National League West, West Div ...
. He was assigned to the Triple-A
Albuquerque Isotopes
The Albuquerque Isotopes are a Minor League Baseball team of the Pacific Coast League and the Triple-A affiliate of the Colorado Rockies. They play home games at Rio Grande Credit Union Field at Isotopes Park in Albuquerque, New Mexico, at an ...
on May 2. In 12 games (11 starts) for the Isotopes, he was 4–3 with a 5.61 ERA.
He was released on July 1, 2013.
[
]
Milwaukee Brewers
Laffey signed a minor league contract with the Milwaukee Brewers
The Milwaukee Brewers are an American professional baseball team based in Milwaukee. The Brewers compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (baseball), National League (NL) National League Central, Central Di ...
on July 11, 2013. He became a free agent following the season on November 4.
Washington Nationals
On January 23, 2014, Laffey signed a minor league contract with the Baltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles (also known as the O's) are an American professional baseball team based in Baltimore. The Orioles compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) East Division. As one of the America ...
. He was released on March 24.
Laffey signed a minor league contract with Washington Nationals
The Washington Nationals are an American professional baseball team based in Washington, D.C. The Nationals compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) East Division. They play their home games at Na ...
on March 30, 2014, and spent the entire season with the Triple–A Syracuse Chiefs
Syracuse most commonly refers to:
* Syracuse, Sicily, Italy; in the province of Syracuse
* Syracuse, New York, USA; in the Syracuse metropolitan area
Syracuse may also refer to:
Places
* Syracuse railway station (disambiguation)
Italy
* Provi ...
, compiling a 12–6 record and a 3.67 ERA in 25 games (21 starts). He became a free agent following the season.
Colorado Rockies
Laffey signed a minor league deal with the Colorado Rockies
The Colorado Rockies are an American professional baseball team based in Denver. The Rockies compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (baseball), National League (NL) National League West, West Division. Th ...
on November 22, 2014. He was promoted to the major leagues in 2015, pitching in three games for the team (1–0, 3.68 ERA),[ and was designated for assignment on July 11, 2015. He cleared waivers and was sent outright to Triple-A ]Albuquerque Isotopes
The Albuquerque Isotopes are a Minor League Baseball team of the Pacific Coast League and the Triple-A affiliate of the Colorado Rockies. They play home games at Rio Grande Credit Union Field at Isotopes Park in Albuquerque, New Mexico, at an ...
on July 13. He had his contract selected again on July 28. He was once again designated for assignment on August 1, and cleared waivers and was sent outright to Triple-A Albuquerque Isotopes
The Albuquerque Isotopes are a Minor League Baseball team of the Pacific Coast League and the Triple-A affiliate of the Colorado Rockies. They play home games at Rio Grande Credit Union Field at Isotopes Park in Albuquerque, New Mexico, at an ...
on August 4. He elected free agency following the season on October 14.
Washington Nationals (second stint)
On December 19, 2015, Laffey signed a minor league contract to return to the Washington Nationals
The Washington Nationals are an American professional baseball team based in Washington, D.C. The Nationals compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) East Division. They play their home games at Na ...
organization. He spent the 2016 season with the Triple–A Syracuse Nationals
The Philadelphia 76ers are an American basketball team currently playing in the Atlantic Division (NBA), Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference (NBA), Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association (NBA). The 76ers are third in NBA ...
, going 6–6 with a 3.82 ERA and 68 strikeouts across 29 games (14 starts). Laffey elected free agency following the season on November 7.
Somerset Patriots
On April 3, 2017, Laffey signed with the Somerset Patriots
The Somerset Patriots are an American professional Minor League Baseball (MiLB) team based in Bridgewater, New Jersey. They are the Double-A affiliate of the New York Yankees. They compete in the Eastern League (EL), known as the Double-A Nort ...
of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball
The Atlantic League of Professional Baseball (ALPB) is a professional independent baseball league in the United States. It is an official MLB Partner League based in the Mid-Atlantic and Southeastern United States, and the headquarters are l ...
. In four starts for the Patriots, he went 1–1 while registering a 2.82 ERA with 19 strikeouts in innings pitched.
Arizona Diamondbacks
On May 15, 2017, Laffey signed a minor league contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks
The Arizona Diamondbacks are an American professional baseball team based in Phoenix, Arizona. The Diamondbacks compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) West Division. The franchise was established ...
organization.[ In 21 games (13 starts) with the Triple-A Reno Aces, he recorded a 5.42 ERA with 44 strikeouts across innings of work.] Laffey elected free agency following the season on November 6.
Somerset Patriots (second stint)
On April 11, 2018, Laffey signed with the Somerset Patriots
The Somerset Patriots are an American professional Minor League Baseball (MiLB) team based in Bridgewater, New Jersey. They are the Double-A affiliate of the New York Yankees. They compete in the Eastern League (EL), known as the Double-A Nort ...
of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball
The Atlantic League of Professional Baseball (ALPB) is a professional independent baseball league in the United States. It is an official MLB Partner League based in the Mid-Atlantic and Southeastern United States, and the headquarters are l ...
. He made four starts, throwing innings and going 2–0 with a 3.10 ERA and 13 strikeouts.
New York Mets
On May 22, 2018, Laffey's contract was purchased by the New York Mets
The New York Mets are an American professional baseball team based in the Boroughs of New York City, New York City borough of Queens. The Mets compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (baseball), National ...
. On June 6, 2018, following a start for the Las Vegas 51s where he allowed 14 runs (12 earned), Laffey announced his retirement.
Personal life
Laffey married Jackie Laffey on December 1, 2007, after a three-year engagement. They have two sons and a daughter together, Braeden Parker (June 27, 2010), Ashton Ryker (November 10, 2011) and Peyton Grace (February 27, 2015).
Scouting
His secondary pitches include an above-average slider and changeup. He primarily throws an 87-88 mph sinker which classifies him as a ground-ball pitcher.
References
External links
{{DEFAULTSORT:Laffey, Aaron
1985 births
Living people
Acereros de Monclova players
Albuquerque Isotopes players
21st-century American sportsmen
American expatriate baseball players in Canada
American expatriate baseball players in Mexico
Akron Aeros players
Baseball players from Cumberland, Maryland
Buffalo Bisons (minor league) players
Burlington Indians players (1986–2006)
Cleveland Indians players
Colorado Rockies players
Columbus Clippers players
Kinston Indians players
Lake County Captains players
Las Vegas 51s players
Mahoning Valley Scrappers players
Major League Baseball pitchers
Mexican League baseball pitchers
Nashville Sounds players
New York Mets players
New York Yankees players
Reno Aces players
Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees players
Seattle Mariners players
Somerset Patriots players
Syracuse Chiefs players
Toronto Blue Jays players
United States national baseball team players
2015 WBSC Premier12 players