Cody Anderson
| IP | 160 |
|---|---|
| ERA | 4.781 |
| WHIP | 1.369 |
| BB/9 | 2.531 |
| SO/9 | 6.019 |
- Full name Cody Andrew Anderson
- Born 09/14/1990 in Quincy, CA
- Profile Ht.: 6'4" / Wt.: 240 / Bats: R / Throws: R
- School Feather River CC
- Debut 06/21/2015
-
Drafted in the 14th round (428th overall) by the Cleveland Guardians in 2011 (signed for $250,000).
View Draft Report
Feather River CC has six players who have been drafted previously, including righthander Cody Anderson, a 17th-round pick by the Rays last year. Anderson, who is 6-foot-4 and 225 pounds, has steadily boosted his fastball velocity. At Quincy (Calif.) High, he was mostly in the 86-88 mph range. He touched 92 last spring and was mostly 92-94 mph this year, topping out at 96. He has the size and velocity scouts like, but needs to refine his delivery and secondary pitches: a curveball, splitter and changeup. He could go as high as the third to fifth round, and is committed to Texas Christian.
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
-
Anderson didn't begin to bear down on pitching until arriving at Feather River (Calif.) JC and finding he might not be able to make the team as an outfielder, his main position in high school. His pitching career picked up steam in 2013 when he earned high Class A Carolina League pitcher of the year honors, but his encore with Double-A Akron was disappointing. His velocity didn't degrade, for he still sat in the low 90s and topped out at 95 mph with life. His slider and curveball are both currently below-average, though the slider is a little further along. The slider is a hard, cutter-like offering, while the curve is softer with more downer action. He also throws a sinking changeup but doesn't use it often--it's too firm at about 86-88 mph. Anderson needs to work down in the zone more consistently and just pitch more assertively. There were times last year when he tried to be too fine and failed to attack hitters. Anderson appears destined for a repeat trip to Akron, though he should certainly get a crack at Triple-A Columbus if he pitches well. He has the potential to be a back-end starter, but he has many items to check off his to-do list. -
Anderson dabbled in pitching in high school but spent most of his time in the outfield, along with playing football and basketball. He eventually moved to the mound full-time at Feather River (Calif.) JC, though only as a reliever. His career took off in 2013, when he won pitcher of the year awards for both the high Class A Carolina League and the Indians' organization. From the beginning, the Indians believed in Anderson's ability to be a starter thanks to his easy, repeatable delivery and variety of pitches. He generates nice downhill plane on his plus fastball that reaches 95 mph and sits in the low 90s. His slider and curveball are solid if unspectacular. The slider stepped forward last season once Anderson stopped trying to guide it into the strike zone and used it more aggressively, improving its bite and making it a swing-and-miss offering. His changeup needs the most work, but he does show some feel for it and has good arm speed with it. He doesn't have any issues with his delivery and already has solid command. Anderson looked tired by the time he got a late season promotion to Double-A Akron in 2013, and he'll go back there to open 2014. The Indians have watched his innings carefully, and he should top 150 for the first time as he attempts to fulfill his potential as a mid-rotation starter. -
Anderson expressed interest in going on a Mormon mission while at Feather River (Calif.) JC, and he turned down the Rays as a 17th-round pick in 2010. The Indians drafted him three rounds earlier in 2011, signing him away from a Texas Christian commitment for $250,000. Because Anderson threw just 40 innings in two years as a juco reliever, Cleveland limited him to just 98 innings. Anderson's best pitch is a lively 89-94 mph fastball that touches 96, leveraging the ball downhill from a high three-quarters slot. He doesn't have the secondary stuff to rack up big strikeout numbers. His curveball shows occasional downward action but falls into more of a three-quarters break at times. He'll mix in a cutter to try to offset lefties. Despite his relative inexperience, his arm works well and he's able to repeat his delivery to spot his fastball throughout the zone. The Indians envision him as a potential back-of-the-rotation starter, and he'll move up to high Class A in 2013.
Minor League Top Prospects
-
Anderson earned CL pitcher of the year honors after topping the circuit in ERA (2.34) and ranking third in strikeouts per nine innings at 8.17. He impressed league observers with command of a 92-94 mph fastball. His arm slot borders on straight over the top, and he locates his fastball to both sides of the plate. ?He?s not afraid to challenge guys with the fastball,? Carolina?s Wallace said. ?He gets in on the guys and can move it around. He?s not just out there closing his eyes and throwing it as hard as he can.? A reliever in junior college, Anderson lacks experience and is still learning how to set up hitters. His secondary pitches still need refinement, including a changeup that improved as the season went on and became a swing-and-missing offering. He also throws a slurvy slider that features some lateral movement. The Indians sent Anderson to Double-A Akron in late August and he yielded eight runs over 13 innings.
