If you were told an Indians pitcher went 7-3 from June 21st through September 30, 2015, could you guess who it was? Need more information? Fine, here’s a few more hints. He posted a 3.05 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, tossed a complete interleague game on the 4th of July, and did so all in 15 starts and in 91.1 IP. Who’s your guess? Kluber, Carassco, or Bauer? Nope, not one of the Tribe’s aces. Was it one of the soft tossing, crafty guys like Josh Tomlin or T.J. House? Good guess, but incorrect. These stats belong to Indians pitcher, Cody Anderson.
From promising future to a series of injuries
Cody Anderson appeared to be on the fast track finding a home in the back end of the Indians rotation. Unfortunately, injuries sidetracked that path from 2016 – 2018. An oblique strain early in the 2016 season caused him to pitch erratically. Elbow tightness in June placed him of the DL list. Recalls and options back and forth to AAA Columbus didn’t produce the results hoped for. At the end of the 2016 season his numbers for Cleveland showed a 2-5 record, 6.68 ERA and 1.62 WHIP. Something was definitely wrong with Cody and it was the worst news a pitcher could receive. Anderson needed reconstructive right elbow surgery, aka Tommy John surgery. He would miss the entire 2017 season and most of the 2018 season.
2015 must seem so distant to Cody Anderson. That season he started 10 games for AA Akron posting a 3-2 record and 1.73 ERA. A promotion to AAA Columbus came in June. There he started three games, went 1-1 with a 2.33 ERA. The Indians then called up Anderson on June 21st, where he posted the above mentioned, impressive numbers.
Anderson spent most of the 2018 season on a rehab assignment at the Indians extended spring training complex in Goodyear, Arizona. He did make two brief minor league rehab appearances; a one inning appearance at Mahoning Valley in August and one inning at Akron in September.
Cody Anderson has a clean bill of health heading into spring training. He is able to resume all baseball and pitching related activities. Now the question is, where does Cody Anderson fit in with the Tribe?
The starting rotation should be locked in with Kluber, Carrasco, Bauer, Clevinger, and Bieber to begin the season. Adam Plutko got a taste of the rotation last season and performed admirably when called upon. The front office has been coy but confident about Danny Salazar in 2019. Although most reports say he is in no way ready to start the season. That puts six or seven strong arms ahead of Anderson, reducing the likelihood of him reclaiming a starting rotation spot. Maybe there’s an answer for him in the bullpen’s needs.
It could have been said the Indians were lacking depth and quality in their bullpen in January 2019. Fast forward to mid February and now you see a crowded position. Brad Hand is the closer. The team agreed to bring back Olive Perez in late January. Dan Otero is the most tenured bullpen guy. Adam Cimber, Nick Goody, Tyler Olson, and Neil Ramirez all have Indians bullpen experience. A.J. Cole, Justin Grimm, James Hoyt, and Alex Wilson are veteran names invited to spring training as non-roster invitees. Jefrey Rodriguez was acquired in the Yan Gomes trade and was placed on the 40 man roster, as is Ben Taylor. Veteran reliever Tyler Clippard recently signed a minor league deal with an invite to spring training. He will compete for a bullpen spot as well. That is a lot of arms for only a few spots.
Cody Anderson will now embark on a new challenge, transitioning to a bullpen arm
Cody Anderson has been a starter his entire career. Pitching out of the bullpen would be new to him. However, if healthy and shows again what he did in 2015, there is one asset he does offer, endurance. Most of the players competing for a bullpen spot are situational or match up guys. Dan Otero is the only pitcher who occasionally threw more than one inning of relief. That means there could be the need for a long relief and/or spot starter position on the squad.
Looking at his 2015 StatCast numbers, Anderson has all the tools worthy of either a starter or long relief man. He throws three pitches with great confidence; a four seam fastball, changeup, and cutter. Anderson was refining his curveball and slider with the guidance of pitching coaches, Mickey Callaway and Jason Bere.
2015 StatCast Pitching Statistics:
Four seam fastball; thrown 57% of the time with average velocity of 95 MPH
Changeup: thrown 23% of the time with average velocity of 84 MPH
Cutter: thrown 12% of the time with average velocity of 90 MPH
Curveball/Slider: thrown 8% of the time with average velocity of 80 MPH
During his extended spring training and minor league rehab work in 2018, he worked with the pitching staff to develop a sharper curveball. He will continue to work on, improve, and expand that as he pitches this spring in Arizona.
Cody Anderson has a positive attitude considering his struggles. He’s followed the front office, coaches, trainers, and medical teams’ protocols, programs, and guidance. It hasn’t gone unnoticed. Team president Chris Antonetti, general manager Mike Chernoff, and manager Terry Francona are impressed with his work ethic and determination to return to the Indians. His name has come up many times in regards to the current roster and what role he might fill. Now, it is up to Cody Anderson to pitch his way into a spot that will make him and the team successful in 2019.
