Brett Anderson

2013

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2012

Anderson underwent Tommy John surgery in July, which is expected to keep him sidelined until at least the All-Star break. He was humming right along with a tidy 2.77 ERA through his first seven starts, allowing 47 hits and a 35:8 K:BB over 48.2 innings, and tossing in a solid eight-inning start against the Angels in late May before leaving a start a week later and never returning. Anderson's arsenal featured a nasty slider prior to the injury, so it will be interesting to see how well and how often he's able to throw it upon his return. It's unlikely that he'll offer much more than 90 innings or so in 2012, but those in keeper leagues where Anderson is available won't want to forget about him.

2011

Anderson battled elbow problems for most of the first half of the season, limiting him to six starts before the All-Star break and just 19 overall. His strikeout rate dipped upon his return, perhaps a concession that his nasty slider was putting too much strain on his arm, as he fanned just 53 batters over his final 81.2 innings after returning from his second stint on the DL. His excellent control and home ballpark, combined with the A's offseason focus on getting more offense, should place him among the AL's elite if he can stay healthy, even if he doesn't approach 200 strikeouts in a full season.

2010

Anderson earned a spot in the A's rotation with a strong spring despite just six starts above Single-A entering the season. He was the A's ace by mid-season, posting a 3.48 ERA, 1.193 WHIP and a superb 86:20 K:BB rate over his final 14 starts covering 88 innings. He carved up righties, holding them to a .247 BAA and fanning 114 in 130.1 innings. He seems destined to be the next A's ace and should build upon a nice rookie season.

2009

Anderson continued to rocket through the minors, starting six games at Double-A Midland as a 20-year old. His composite season totals (105 innings, 95 hits, 27 walks, 118 Ks) and projectable frame (6'4 and left-handed) gives the A's a legit No. 1 starter prospect. A mid-season promotion to Triple-A Sacramento is all but a given, lining him up for a 2010 major-league debut.

2008

A 2006 second-round pick, Anderson has an excellent strikeout rate and command which drew a mid-season promotion to High-A Visalia and put him on the keeper league radar. The 6-4 southpaw finished his first season as a pro with a 125:21 K:BB ratio in 120.1 combined innings between Low- and High-A, which is even more impressive when you consider that Anderson was just 19 years old. His command and mound presence are well above average for his level of experience, a byproduct of his background as the son of highly-regarded college pitching coach - and current Oklahoma State manager - Frank Anderson. Anderson wasn't as lights out after his promotion to High-A, but he's got the potential to move fast through Oakland's system after coming over from Arizona in the Dan Haren trade.