Game Report: Minor Injury For Ian Anderson

Shenendehowa High (Clifton Park) took a 5-4 win over Guilderland (N.Y.) on Wednesday, winning the game on a walk-off, two-run base hit from senior captain Rich Drum.

But the bigger picture story of the game is centered around a player who did not play: Shenendehowa righthander—and likely first-round pick—Ian Anderson.

Anderson warmed up in front of a crowd of scouts before grabbing his side and leaving on the trainer’s cart.

“I felt good in warmups and then when I got to the bullpen I felt something tweak in my side,” Anderson said. He also said that what he was feeling was more tightness than pain. Anderson said that he wanted the ball, but decided that it would not be worth risking his long-term future.

Anderson felt the tightness on his non-throwing side, and said that he would rest, ice his side and re-evaluate the situation as his health progresses.

Ultimately, the injury did not appear serious, as Anderson returned to field and cheered on his teammates—including his twin brother, Ben Anderson, who took the mound in front of the scouts.

Ben Anderson doesn’t have as much pitching experience as his brother, but he does have some potential. Ben stands at 6-foot-3 and has room to add muscle in his shoulders, core and lower half.

Ben Anderson, a Binghamton commit, showed a mid-80s fastball, some feel for a changeup and a looping 12-to-6 curveball that improved as he kept throwing it. His command improved as the game progressed as well, and he began pounding the bottom corners of the strike zone well once he settled in. Ben Anderson is a prospect of some sort, but appears likely to go to college and add strength and reps.

Finishing the game for Shenendehowa was SUNY Brockport commit Nik Malachowski. The righthander could be an outstanding Division III player. His arm speed indicates a velocity jump in his future. If Malachowski can learn how to utilize his lower half better, he could some day develop into a 90-mph arm. He pitched at 81-85 on Wednesday.