The Los Angeles Angels are taking a familiar gamble, hoping a little bit of familiarity and minor league depth can pay off. They've re-signed right-handed pitcher Shaun Anderson to a minor league contract, a move first reported by Baseball America's Matt Eddy and confirmed via MiLB.com transaction logs just before the new year.
Anderson's return marks another chapter in his on-again, off-again relationship with the Angels. Last season, he primarily served as a starting pitcher for their Triple-A affiliate, the Salt Lake Bees. In 24 starts, he logged 116.2 innings, posting a 6.02 ERA in the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League. While his strikeout rate of 16.7% was below average, he demonstrated good control, limiting walks and generally preventing home runs in the minors. Think of him as a ground ball pitcher who relies on contact.
When the Angels needed a fresh arm in the bullpen, they called upon the 31-year-old Anderson a few times. He made seven appearances in the majors, scattered throughout the season. However, his MLB stints proved challenging. In just 11.1 innings, he surrendered six home runs and 13 earned runs. Ouch! But here's where it gets controversial... some believe his struggles were simply due to small sample sizes and a bit of bad luck. Others argue that his stuff just doesn't play well against Major League hitters. What do you think?
Anderson has experience. He's pitched in the Major Leagues in six of the past seven seasons, compiling a career 6.39 ERA across 163.1 innings. He also spent the 2023 season in South Korea, pitching for the Kia Tigers, where he had a more respectable 4.35 ERA. He also boasts a 4.35 ERA over parts of seven Triple-A campaigns. The plan is for Anderson to return to Salt Lake to provide rotation depth – a safety net in case of injuries or performance issues at the big league level. And this is the part most people miss... having reliable, experienced arms in Triple-A is crucial for any team with aspirations of competing. It provides flexibility and options throughout a long season.
Do you think this is a smart signing for the Angels, or just a waste of a roster spot? Will Anderson ever stick in the majors, or is he destined to be a career minor leaguer? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
