Anderson Makes Splash in Modesto

At this level, the ultimate compliment from opposing managers and media representatives for a pitcher is to be named California League Pitcher of the Year. Over each of the past two seasons, the Nuts have been fortunate to have that player on their roster. Chad Bettis did it in 2011 with a 12-5 record and 3.34 ERA in 27 starts - racking up a whopping 184 strikeouts in just under 170 innings pitched. Last season, it was Christian Bergman, who tied for the most wins in all of minor league baseball with 16, going 16-5 with a 3.65 ERA.

The pitcher with the expectations to have that kind of season for Modesto in 2013 is 23-year-old Tyler Anderson, a left-hander drafted by the Colorado Rockies with the 20th overall pick in 2011. Anderson, who was part of the first recruiting class at the University of Oregon after they brought back the baseball program following a hiatus from 1982-2009, ended up being the first Duck drafted in the first round since 1972. He started a new pitching legacy at Oregon, setting school records in strikeouts per game (14), per season (114), and for his career (288).

After starting the season in extended Spring Training in 2012, Anderson was sent straight to the Asheville Tourists, skipping over the lower levels of the minor leagues and advancing directly to Class Low-A. Anderson's pro debut couldn't have gone much better, as he led the league in ERA (2.47) and WHIP (1.06), while posting a 12-3 record for the eventual South Atlantic League Champions.

Dubbed by many as a "finesse lefty" that relies more on his smarts than pure stuff, Anderson will face a stiffer challenge this season in the hitter-friendly California League. So far, his new manager and pitching coach like what they see.

"I'm impressed with him. His fastball is better than I was led to believe," said second-year Nuts Manager Lenn Sakata. "He can really sneak up on you, and shows a lot of poise and awareness on the mound."

Dave Burba, who enters his first season as Modesto's pitching coach, spent 15 years in the Major Leagues from 1990-2004. In addition to having his own successful career, he was able to observe the top pro talent for a decade and a half. When asked who would be the best comparison for Tyler Anderson, his response was about as flattering as it gets for a "finesse lefty" - likening the Nuts hurler to one of the best pitcher's in the game during that stretch.

"He reminds me of Tom Glavine," Burba said. "He can pump it up when he wants to but he usually sticks around 89-90 (miles per hour), and doesn't throw a lot of pitches down the middle of the plate."

"He's a smart pitcher. He doesn't just go out there and throw and think that he has to throw the ball over the plate. He changes speeds well and he'll elevate when he has to," Burba added. "He's not afraid to mix in an off speed (pitch) in a situation when he knows they are sitting on a fastball. To me that comes from experience and knowledge of the game."

In addition to his ability to locate and have a plan on the mound, another thing that Anderson has going for him is a deceptive delivery, something he didn't even realize he possessed until he got to Oregon.

"It's a little funky and I don't know when it started or how it started," Anderson said. "I just know that my freshman year when we would watch video it was there. To me it feels perfectly smooth and natural. It's something that came along when I was younger and never knew it."

As for his aspirations for this upcoming season, he's keeping his personal expectations pretty even-keeled.

"I just want to play the game, you know?" Anderson proclaimed. "Now that the season has started there's no time to work on new things. That was Spring Training and the offseason - not it's just time to play."

Following an 88 win season and a South Atlantic League Championship in 2012, he says the team expectations are a little bigger.

"You know since the guys won it last year and they have that sweet taste in their mouth, anything short of winning is a disappointment. We have a lot of the same guys this year that we had there - guys that have so much fun playing together. I think everyone is just looking forward to being together again."

After last season's run to the California League Championship Series, a run that ended in a bitter sweep at the hands of the Lancaster Jethawks - it's an exciting thought to think that this could be the group to get Modesto their first title since 2004.

"We never felt like we had our backs against the wall," he said in reference to the Asheville club last year. "We always thought we were going to win it - and most the time we did. That's the character of this club too I think."