SF Giants: Injury aside, Tyler Anderson looks to contribute this season

Veteran left-handed pitcher Tyler Anderson could contribute with the SF Giants in 2020.

With an uncertain backend to the starting rotation, a fully healthy Tyler Anderson could play a significant role for the SF Giants as the season gets underway.

The Giants embark on a marathon 60-game season with a lineup expecting to be different depending upon the matchups.

With a pool of players to select from the active and taxi squad rosters, manager Gabe Kapler is going to use all resources given to him through the brain trust of Farhan Zaidi.

For the prospects taking part in the short season, a chance to get significant league experience can prove beneficial in the unlikeness of circumstances resulting from the coronavirus pandemic.

An opportunity to showcase progression can hopefully transition to spring training next season to make the opening lineup.

But for veteran players looking to re-establish themselves, those individuals are the ones in which Zaidi hopes advanced analytics will prove successful. Anderson is one pitcher who can start or come out of the bullpen and wants to show his value.

Work ethic is no problem for Anderson since his time at the University of Oregon. The former Ducks pitcher arrived on campus on the inaugural 2009 team as the baseball program got reinstated after being discontinued after 1981.

Originally selected in the 50th round of the 2008 MLB Draft by Minnesota, the left-hander chose to play for the Ducks. In his three seasons, Anderson lowered his ERA from 6.26 as a freshman, to 2.17 in his junior year.

From all the acknowledgments, his best performances came with two complete games against Arizona.

His best statistics are the strikeouts with a career-high 14 in a contest against Long Beach State and 114 single-season strikeouts. Both records from the southpaw still stand in Oregon baseball program history.

As a result, through his hard work, the Colorado Rockies selected him 20th overall in the 2011 MLB Draft. He became only the second player in program history to go in the first round.

Anderson made his debut with the Rockies in 2016, appearing in 19 games. A knee injury last season ended his year after five appearances. The Giants claimed his after being placed on waivers and ultimately signed as a free agent with San Francisco.

Tyler Anderson could find a role in the SF Giants’ pitching staff in 2020.

Tony Watson is the only current active-roster lefty with experience on the Giants. Anderson impressed during Spring Training 2.0 during the intra-squad games held at Oracle Park. Drew Smyly and Wandy Peralta are the other left-handers currently active.

Smyly will likely occupy one of the starting rotation spots as the season gets underway. Anderson may get a look as a starter or come in as a long reliever or just an inning of work. No matter the case, Anderson could be a likely X-factor in the Giants’ bullpen.

Familiarity with the NL West made San Francisco an easy decision for Anderson to potentially jumpstart his career back on the right footing.

At age 30, his value can grow with a successful campaign if Anderson can show he is at full health and rekindle the work ethics he instilled during his time in Eugene.

A repertoire of five pitches, Anderson relies heavily on his four-seam and changeup pitches. He also possesses a cutter, curve, and sinker, but does not use the three as often. The movement of his pitches is active if Anderson can locate the strike zone and get command.

Expect Anderson to make appearances as a reliever early in the year in efforts not to burden the starting pitchers who are likely still rounding into form.

Anderson’s job is unlikely safe as he must be consistent on the mound. With the opportunity to pool players from the taxi squad, the bullpen could be unsettled.

No matter a prospect or season veteran, players are playing with a chip on their shoulders. For Anderson, he looks to be a mainstay on the Giants and proves his longevity.