Chase Anderson

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Arizona Diamondbacks #23 prospect in 2014
  A reliever at Oklahoma prior to signing with the Diamondbacks for $85,000 as a ninth-round round pick in 2009, Anderson joined the Arizona 40-man roster after a strong Arizona Fall League showing in 2012. He struggled as a starter at Triple-A Reno in 2013 before being shut down for six weeks at midseason with a triceps strain. Anderson returned as a reliever, and that may be his role moving forward in order to keep him healthy after a series of arm problems, including a forearm strain that caused him to miss nearly all of 2011. He has the repertoire to start but perhaps not the durability. The highlight of Anderson's arsenal is a double-plus changeup, perennially rated as the best in the organization, which plays well off his fastball. His heater sits in the 87-92 mph range, though it tends to get flat when he worked in the rotation. Anderson also has a curveball with good depth and a useable slider. He repeats his delivery and throws from a high-three-quarters arm slot, throwing enough strikes to profile as a middle reliever. He heads to camp in 2014 looking for a bullpen job in Arizona.
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  Ranked Arizona Diamondbacks #11 prospect in 2013
  Anderson was a reliever at Oklahoma prior to signing for $85,000 as a ninth-round pick in the 2009 draft, but the Diamondbacks have developed him as a starter. He missed nearly all of the 2011 season with a strained flexor tendon in his forearm that didn't require surgery, and Arizona was cautious with him last year by limiting most of his Double-A starts to five innings. He was the Game One starter for Mobile in both of its playoff series, helping the BayBears win their second straight Southern League championship. Anderson possesses the best changeup in the system. It's at least a plus pitch with excellent fade, and he doesn't hesitate to use it when behind in the count. While his fastball sat in the high 80s early in the season, he worked at 90-94 mph in the Arizona Fall League while maintaining good command. He delivers his curveball in the mid-70s with good depth, giving him an effective third pitch. He's also working on a slider and eventually could have four average or better offerings. Anderson throws with a high three-quarters arm slot and repeats his delivery. A strong AFL performance earned him a spot on the 40-man roster and enhanced his credentials as a potential No. 4 starter. He'll move up to Triple-A in 2013.
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  Ranked Arizona Diamondbacks #26 prospect in 2011
  Anderson is another college righthander who pleasantly surprised the organization with his progress in his first full season. The Twins used late-round picks on Anderson out of high school and junior college in Texas in 2006 and 2007, but he headed to Oklahoma instead. He jumped to Visalia after just seven starts at South Bend last season. Anderson was a reliever in college, but the Diamondbacks believe he can be a starter and will continue to work him into a rotation to get him more innings. Anderson's best pitch is his changeup, a legitimate plus pitch that he will throw in any situation. It's considered the best in the organization. His fastball arrives at 89-92 mph with good sink, and he throws a slider and curveball as well. He has a clean delivery and above-average command. Anderson is not big or overpowering, but he mixes his pitches well and keeps hitters off balance. Anderson will move up to Double-A in 2011. If he can't make it as a starter long-term, he's expected to have a future as a middle reliever.

Minor League Top Prospects

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  Ranked Arizona Fall League #18 prospect in 2012
  After a strong summer at Double-A Mobile that included two productive Southern League playoff starts, the oft-injured Anderson was sent to the AFL to give the Diamondbacks an extended opportunity to evaluate him before the 40-man roster deadline this November. The 6-foot-1, 175-pound righthander would end up being one of the AFL's top performers, going 3-1, 3.47 with 26 strikeouts and nine walks over 23 innings (six starts). This fall, Anderson sat 90-92 mph with his fastball, mixing in a plus changeup at 80-82 that one evaluator called the best secondary offering in the league. The development of his breaking balls was been notable as well, with many scouts believing Anderson has back of the rotation potential with four average or better offerings.

• August, 2012 Scouting Report
  After a strong summer at Double-A Mobile that included two productive Southern League playoff starts, the oft-injured Anderson was sent to the AFL to give the Diamondbacks an extended opportunity to evaluate him before the 40-man roster deadline this November. The 6-foot-1, 175-pound righthander would end up being one of the AFL's top performers, going 3-1, 3.47 with 26 strikeouts and nine walks over 23 innings (six starts). This fall, Anderson sat 90-92 mph with his fastball, mixing in a plus changeup at 80-82 that one evaluator called the best secondary offering in the league. The development of his breaking balls was been notable as well, with many scouts believing Anderson has back of the rotation potential with four average or better offerings.