Laffey was drafted out of high school by the Cleveland Indians in the 16th round (468th overall) of the 2003 Major League Baseball draft.[1][2] He had committed to play college baseball at Virginia Tech, but signed with the Indians on July 1, 2003.[3] 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 46 in 34 innings pitched.[4] In 2004, while with the Single-A Mahoning Valley Scrappers, Laffey went 3–1 with a 1.24 ERA in eight starts, which earned him a promotion to the Single-A Lake County Captains. With the Captains, he was 3–7 with a 6.53 ERA in 19 games (15 starts).[4] 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 for one game in which he picked up the victory by going five innings and allowing two runs while striking out six.[4] 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).[4] His performance earned him a promotion to Double-A Akron, where he went 8–3 with a 3.53 ERA in 19 starts.[4] 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.[4] Before his call up to the majors, he was 7–3 with a 3.28 ERA in 14 games (13 starts) for Buffalo.[5]
Laffey pitching for the Cleveland Indians in 2009
On August 4, 2007, Laffey made his major league debut against the Minnesota Twins; he went 5+1⁄3 innings while allowing six hits, three runs, a walk, and three strikeouts in a losing effort.[6] In his second start on August 9, against the Chicago White Sox, Laffey picked up his first MLB victory. He went 5+2⁄3 innings, allowed six hits, four runs, three walks, and struck out four in the Indians' 7–5 victory.[7][8] On August 10, a day after Laffey's first MLB victory, he was demoted to Triple-A Buffalo.[9] On August 25, Laffey was recalled to pitch against the Kansas City Royals.[10] Laffey won again, going six innings and allowing eight hits, two runs, and one walk while striking out four.[11] He made nine total starts with Cleveland in 2007, going 4–2 with a 4.56 ERA.[3]
Laffey went into spring training in 2008 competing for the fifth spot in the rotation. However, Cliff Lee won the job, and Laffey was sent back to Buffalo.[12] He was recalled on April 24 following an injury to Jake Westbrook.[13] Laffey was named American LeagueRookie of the Month for the month of 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.[14]
Seattle Mariners
On March 2, 2011, Laffey was traded to the Seattle Mariners in exchange for prospect Matt Lawson.[15][16] He was designated for assignment on August 17, after going 1–1 with a 4.01 ERA in 42+2⁄3 innings, spanning 36 appearances.[3][17]
New York Yankees
Laffey during his tenure with the New York Yankees in 2011
Laffey was claimed off waivers by the New York Yankees on August 19, 2011.[18] Laffey made his debut the next night against the Minnesota Twins. He was designated for assignment the next day to clear a roster spot for Alex Rodriguez,[19][20] though he was placed on optional waivers.[21] Laffey cleared waivers and was sent to the Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees.[22] 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.[3]
Kansas City Royals
Laffey was claimed off waivers by the Kansas City Royals on October 11, 2011.[23] He was non-tendered by the Royals on December 12, 2011.[24]
Toronto Blue Jays
On December 30, 2011, Laffey signed a minor league contract with the Toronto Blue Jays.[25] After failing to make the team out of spring training, Laffey had his contract purchased by Toronto on April 8, 2012.[26] However, Laffey was sent back down to the Triple-A Las Vegas 51s on April 14 without having pitched for the Jays.[27]
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,[28] but was again sent back down just three days later without having thrown a pitch for the Blue Jays.[29] 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.[30] 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.[31] After several Blue Jays starters were shut down due to injuries, Laffey was added to the Blue Jays' starting rotation in late June.[32] He finished the season with a 4–6 record and a 4.56 ERA in 22 games (16 starts).[3]
On October 4, 2012, Laffey was outrighted to the Blue Jays' Triple-A affiliate, the Buffalo Bisons.[33] 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 deal included an invitation to Major League spring training.[34][35]
Laffey made his first start for the Mets on April 7, going 4+1⁄3 innings and giving up three earned runs, striking out five, and walking one in a 4–3 victory over the Miami Marlins. Laffey received a no-decision for the game.[36] Laffey was designated for assignment on April 21, 2013.[37] He had pitched four games (two starts) for the Mets, earning no decisions and finishing with a 7.20 ERA.[3]
Toronto Blue Jays (second stint)
On April 23, 2013, the Blue Jays announced that they had claimed Laffey on waivers.[38] 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.[39] Laffey pitched 2+2⁄3 innings, giving up two earned runs on two hits and walking five batters. He was designated for assignment following the game.[40] The Blue Jays announced on April 29 that Laffey had refused an assignment to the Buffalo Bisons, and had become a free agent.[41]
Los Angeles Dodgers
On April 30, 2013, Laffey signed a minor league contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers.[42] He was assigned to the Triple-A Albuquerque Isotopes on May 2. In 12 games (11 starts) for the Isotopes, he was 4–3 with a 5.61 ERA.[4] He was released on July 1, 2013.[43]
Milwaukee Brewers
Laffey signed a minor league contract with the Milwaukee Brewers on July 11, 2013.[44][45] He became a free agent following the season on November 4.[3]
Washington Nationals
On January 23, 2014, Laffey signed a minor league contract with the Baltimore Orioles.[46] He was released on March 24.[47][48]
Laffey signed a minor league contract with Washington Nationals on March 30, 2014,[49] and spent the entire season with the Triple–A Syracuse Chiefs, compiling a 12–6 record and a 3.67 ERA in 25 games (21 starts).[4] He became a free agent following the season.
Colorado Rockies
Laffey signed a minor league deal with the Colorado Rockies on November 22, 2014.[43] He was promoted to the major leagues in 2015, pitching in three games for the team (1–0, 3.68 ERA),[3] and was designated for assignment on July 11, 2015.[50] He cleared waivers and was sent outright to Triple-A Albuquerque Isotopes on July 13. He had his contract selected again on July 28. He was once again designated for assignment on August 1,[51] and cleared waivers and was sent outright to Triple-A Albuquerque Isotopes 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 organization.[52] He spent the 2016 season with the Triple–A Syracuse Nationals, going 6–6 with a 3.82 ERA and 68 strikeouts across 29 games (14 starts).[4] Laffey elected free agency following the season on November 7.[53]
On May 15, 2017, Laffey signed a minor league contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks organization.[3] In 21 games (13 starts) with the Triple-A Reno Aces, he recorded a 5.42 ERA with 44 strikeouts across 79+2⁄3 innings of work.[4] Laffey elected free agency following the season on November 6.[55]
On May 22, 2018, Laffey's contract was purchased by the New York Mets.[57] On June 6, 2018, following a start for the Las Vegas 51s where he allowed 14 runs (12 earned), Laffey announced his retirement.[58]
Personal life
Laffey married Jackie Laffey on December 1, 2007, after a three-year engagement.[59][60] They have two sons and a daughter together, Braeden Parker (June 27, 2010),[61][62] Ashton Ryker (November 10, 2011) and Peyton Grace (February 27, 2015).[63]
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.[64]
