Jason Anderson

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked New York Mets #23 prospect in 2004
  One of the top pitchers in University of Illinois history, Anderson won a school-record 14 games and was Big 10 Conference pitcher of the year in 2000. He was only a so-so prospect because he had average velocity, but when the Yankees moved him to the bullpen in the New York-Penn League playoffs that summer, his 88-91 mph fastball jumped to 93-95. His newfound velocity, which peaks at 97 mph, rocketed him through the Yankees system. The key player for the Mets in the Armando Benitez trade, he came up last August and could be part of their bullpen in 2004. Some Mets officials considered trying Anderson as a starter, but he seems much more comfortable coming out of the bullpen and pitched better in that role in Triple-A. He doesn't have much feel or confidence in his secondary pitches, which was his undoing at the major league level. His slider could be a solid-average pitch, but it needs plenty of polish. His changeup and cutter are further away.
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  Ranked New York Yankees #17 prospect in 2003
  Anderson was drafted by the Royals in the sixth round out of high school in 1997, but the honor student opted for college instead. He joined Cardinals prospect Jimmy Journell to go a combined 16-3 for Illinois as a freshmen. Anderson was the Big 10 Conference pitcher of the year and tournament MVP in 2000, finishing his career with a 29-5 record. After spending his entire career as a starter, including his first 18 games as a pro, Anderson didn't jump on the fast track until the Yankees tried him in the bullpen in the 2000 New York-Penn League playoffs. His fastball jumped from 88-91 mph to the mid-90s. He topped out at 97 in 2002. His slider has above-average potential, and he'll mix in a changeup for strikes. Anderson needs to develop more confidence in his secondary pitches, especially his changeup and cutter, which both can be quality major league offerings. At his size, there's some effort to his delivery upon release, yet he still manages to repeat his mechanics and throw strikes. He was shut down with a sore arm in the Arizona Fall League, renewing concerns about his durability. Anderson took a step backward in 2001 when he finished the year in Staten Island, but he headed in the right direction in 2002 as he blitzed through the upper levels of the system. Provided he's healthy, Anderson will battle for a big league bullpen job.
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  Ranked New York Yankees #29 prospect in 2002
  As a junior in 2000, Anderson was named Big Ten Conference pitcher of the year and MVP of the league tournament. His 14 wins that year set Illinois' single-season record and boosted his career mark to 29-5. Still relatively unheralded, he began his pro career as a starter. Shifted to the bullpen in favor of David Martinez during the 2000 New York-Penn League postseason, Anderson caught everyone's attention with 96 mph gas. As a starter, he regularly sits in the 90-91 range and shows potential to have four slightly above-average pitches. He demonstrates a good feel for setting up hitters with his curveball. He uses a sweeping slider against righthanders and also has a deceptive changeup. With workhorse stamina and command of four pitches, Anderson will remain a starter. Though he got off to a promising start in low Class A last year, a rash of injuries in Staten Island's rotation forced him to take a step back. He could move faster in a short-relief role.