Justin Lawrence Bio
Justin Anthony Lawrence (born November 25, 1994) is a Panamanian professional baseball pitcher who currently plays for the Pittsburgh Pirates of Major League Baseball (MLB). A right-handed reliever, Lawrence has built his career primarily as a late-inning arm, working as both a setup man and a closer during his time in the majors. He previously played in MLB for the Colorado Rockies, where he made his big-league debut and recorded his first career save. Lawrence represents one of the growing number of Panamanian pitchers to reach the highest level of professional baseball in the United States.
Originally signed as a middle-round draft pick, Lawrence worked his way through the minor leagues before breaking into the majors in 2021. Over the following seasons, he developed into a reliable relief option, eventually earning closing duties in Denver. After being placed on waivers by the Rockies in early 2025, Lawrence was claimed by the Pittsburgh Pirates and began a new chapter of his career in the National League Central.
Early Life and Background
Justin Anthony Lawrence was born on November 25, 1994, in Panama City, Panama. When he was two years old, his family relocated to the United States, where he was raised and introduced to organized baseball. Growing up in the Jacksonville, Florida area, Lawrence attended First Coast High School and developed his pitching skills on local amateur teams. His early exposure to baseball in the United States helped shape his path toward a professional career.
After completing high school, Lawrence continued his playing career at Jacksonville University, where he pitched at the collegiate level. He later transferred to Daytona State College, a program known for producing professional pitching talent. His college experience gave him the foundation needed to attract attention from Major League Baseball scouts.
Path to Baseball
Lawrence’s progression through amateur baseball set the stage for his entry into the professional ranks. His time at Jacksonville University and Daytona State College provided opportunities to face high-level competition and showcase his arm strength. Scouts evaluated him as a projectable relief pitcher with the build and mindset to handle a bullpen role at the next level.
In the 2015 Major League Baseball draft, the Colorado Rockies selected Lawrence in the 12th round with the 347th overall pick. He signed with the organization shortly afterward and was assigned to the Boise Hawks of the short-season Northwest League, beginning his climb through the minor league system.
Justin Lawrence Career
Early Career (2015–2018)
Lawrence made his professional debut in 2015 with the Boise Hawks before being reassigned to the Grand Junction Rockies. Across 22 relief appearances between the two clubs, he posted an 0–3 record with an 8.39 ERA as he adjusted to pro ball. The following season, he split time between Boise and the Asheville Tourists, going 4–6 with a 4.98 ERA in 49 relief outings.
In 2017, an injury limited Lawrence to just over 16 innings with Asheville, though he impressed with a 1.65 ERA. He bounced back in 2018 with the Lancaster JetHawks, pitching to a 2.65 ERA with 62 strikeouts across 57⅔ relief innings. After the season, he pitched in the Arizona Fall League, and the Rockies added him to their 40-man roster to protect him from the Rule 5 draft.
Colorado Rockies Breakthrough (2019–2024)
Lawrence split 2019 between Hartford and Albuquerque, but a difficult season resulted in an 8.76 ERA across 37 innings. On January 17, 2020, he was suspended without pay for 80 games after testing positive for a performance-enhancing substance, and he did not appear in a game that year due to the cancellation of the minor league season caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
On April 29, 2021, Lawrence was promoted to the major leagues for the first time and made his MLB debut, tossing a scoreless eighth inning and recording his first strikeout against Arizona Diamondbacks infielder Eduardo Escobar. He posted an 8.64 ERA across 19 appearances that season while continuing to develop. On October 3, 2022, Lawrence earned his first career save with a scoreless ninth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers, finishing the year 3–1 with 48 strikeouts in 42⅔ innings.
Entering 2023, Lawrence began the year as the setup man for closer Pierce Johnson before eventually taking over closing duties. He recorded 11 saves and posted a 3.72 ERA in a career-high 69 games. In 2024, he made 56 appearances but struggled to a 6.49 ERA with a 4–4 record, and on March 1, 2025, the Rockies placed him on waivers.
Pittsburgh Pirates Era (2025–Present)
On March 3, 2025, the Pittsburgh Pirates claimed Lawrence off waivers, giving him a fresh opportunity in a new organization. In his first stretch with Pittsburgh, he was outstanding, posting a 0.79 ERA with 15 strikeouts across 11 appearances out of the bullpen. His early success was interrupted on April 24 when he was placed on the injured list with elbow inflammation, and he was later transferred to the 60-day injured list on May 3.
Lawrence was activated from the injured list on September 12, 2025, and returned to the Pirates bullpen down the stretch. His early performance with Pittsburgh suggested he could carve out a meaningful late-inning role as he continued his recovery and built momentum heading into the following seasons.
Driving Style and Strengths
As a reliever, Lawrence relies on a power arm built for short bursts, generating swings and misses with a fastball that pairs well with a sharp breaking offering. He has shown the composure needed to handle high-leverage situations, including closing duties with the Rockies, and has demonstrated the ability to reset after difficult outings.
Notable Events and Milestones
Lawrence’s MLB debut on April 29, 2021, marked the realization of a career that began with a 12th-round draft selection in 2015. His first career save on October 3, 2022, against the Dodgers was a defining moment, and his transition into the closer role in 2023 confirmed his standing as a trusted late-inning option. Being claimed by the Pirates in March 2025 added another chapter to his professional journey.
Justin Lawrence Career Wins
Justin Lawrence has built his professional resume primarily as a relief pitcher, accumulating saves and holds across multiple minor league affiliates before establishing himself in the majors. His win totals reflect his role as a bullpen arm rather than a starter, with his impact measured in late-inning effectiveness and save opportunities.
MLB Highlights
Lawrence recorded his first career MLB save on October 3, 2022, closing out a game against the Los Angeles Dodgers with a scoreless ninth inning. In 2023, he added 11 saves while serving as the Rockies closer, finishing the year with a 3.72 ERA across a career-high 69 appearances. He also added 2 saves during the 2024 campaign before being placed on waivers by Colorado.
Other Wins and Performances
Beyond MLB, Lawrence posted productive minor league seasons, including a strong 2018 campaign with the Lancaster JetHawks that helped earn him a spot on the Rockies’ 40-man roster. His Arizona Fall League experience after the 2018 season further showcased his arm strength against high-level competition. His early work in Pittsburgh in 2025, with a 0.79 ERA across 11 outings, added another strong line to his ledger.
Justin Lawrence Family
Family Background and Baseball Lineage
Justin Anthony Lawrence was born in Panama City, Panama, and moved to the United States with his family at the age of two. His upbringing in Jacksonville, Florida, immersed him in a competitive baseball environment and helped shape his path toward the sport.
Personal Life
Lawrence’s personal life details are not widely documented in publicly available sources. He maintains a presence on social media and continues to focus on his professional career as a relief pitcher in Major League Baseball.
2025 Season Performance
Justin Lawrence’s 2025 season began with uncertainty after the Colorado Rockies placed him on waivers on March 1. Two days later, the Pittsburgh Pirates claimed him, offering a reset in a new bullpen environment. He quickly rewarded Pittsburgh’s confidence, posting a 0.79 ERA with 15 strikeouts across 11 appearances before elbow inflammation landed him on the injured list on April 24.
Lawrence was transferred to the 60-day injured list on May 3, sidelining him for a significant stretch of the summer. He was activated on September 12 and returned to the Pirates bullpen for the final weeks of the season, hoping to build momentum heading into the offseason.
Looking ahead, Lawrence’s strong early work in Pittsburgh suggested he could remain a late-inning option for the Pirates. His recovery and late-season return provided a foundation for a bounce-back campaign in the following year, assuming full health.