Rockies agree to deal with first-rounder Anderson
The Colorado Rockies announced Monday they had agreed to terms with their top pick in the June draft, left-handed pitcher Tyler Anderson from the University of Oregon.
Anderson, the 20th overall pick, reportedly signed for $1.4 million, slightly over Major League Baseball’s recommended slot bonus of $1.359 million. The Rockies previously had signed supplemental first-round pick Trevor Story and fourth-rounder Dillon Thomas to over-slot bonuses. Baseball America reported that Story received $915,000 while MLB recommended $764,100 for his spot, and Thomas received $300,000 for a spot MLB slotted at $191,700.
Second-rounder Carl Thomore also received about $6,000 more than recommended slot.
Other notable picks who remained unsigned going into Monday’s deadline included third-rounder Peter O’Brien and 16th-rounder Preston Tucker. O’Brien, a junior catcher from Bethune-Cookman, did not sign, according to BA‘s Jim Callis. Tucker, a first baseman/outfielder for the University of Florida, will reportedly return for his senior season with the Gators.
Whoo Hoo. Steve of Jack, given how long Tyler has been sitting out of competition (did he go to the Cape Cod league?), will he pitch this season? Does he start next season in extended, AA, or elsewhere (he is thought fairly mature and I read somewhere that if signed by a contender he would be considered for a Sept call up as a lefty out of the pen, at least on draft day).
Is there no chance on Obrien or Tucker? Did they use some of the money from Ubaldo to get these deals done?
Oh, and again for Jack or Steve, what is the projected timetable in the Rox organization (which I must say is rather conservative relative to some other clubs) for Tyler? Having White and “player to be named later” gives them some room, but this kid has most of his pitches figured out. Is he a Sept 2012 call-up competing for 1-5 for 2013? I read somewhere (think it was baseball america that the Rox mishandled Freidrich by making him face minor leaguers too long, giving his arm too much time to wander…not sure if that is fair or not).
Anyways, great news. Anderson is another plus in what is quickly becoming (at lower than Tulsa) a pitching rich organization.
Anderson has not played organized ball this summer as far as I know. He will probably start next season either in Asheville or Modesto.
O’Brien did not sign, according to BA’s Jim Callis. He was once considered a possible first-rounder and slipped to the third. He’s only a junior and could go back to try to improve his draft position.
Tucker’s going back to Florida.
No way to tell what Anderson’s timetable will be without having pitched a pro game yet. Most likely: 2012 at Asheville and/or Modesto, 2013 at Tulsa and from there will depend on his development. That’s pretty much the same timetable as Friedrich, although he signed early in 2008 and spent that time at Tri City and Asheville. Hard to argue that Rockies let Friedrich languish. He was on pace to reach the majors last season, which would have been two years after he was drafted, but injuries and poor performance kept him in minors and back at Tulsa this year.
How long before the genius that tried to change Matzuk’s delivery gets a hold of Anderson, Pomeranz, & White? Whoever this person is, please keep him away from our prized pitching prospects.
Tyler Anderson’s been described as a Jeff Francis-type talent. If that means a healthy Francis, then Anderson is another solid prospect brought into the Rockies’ system.
The left-hander from the University of Oregon is thought to be a possible fast mover to the majors, which the Rockies could use.
The Rockies traded Ubaldo Jimenez but have added Alex White, Drew Pomeranz and Anderson this season and with the strong development of Chad Bettis, the Rockies have solid pitching talent and depth in the farm system.
Rockies Prospects and Futures
Well, MJay is right that the Rockies have a bunch of potential among minor league starters now, almost all of it from the left side: Friedrich, Cabrera, Anderson, Pomeranz. White, Bettis, and (now) Houston show good promise from the right side. But as Dragon Lo proves, potential is just potential.
Agbayani, too true, but that is the thing about the number of guys we have now. You know statistically that at least one will get hurt, and at least one will simply not perform, but with so many guys you have to figure that there are going to be 2 or 3 keepers in that bunch. But with so many lefties (notice you didnt include Matzek who appears to have righted himself and should be ready for a more positive 2012) you got to figure that they could be packaged to fill some holes somewhere on this team.
Was it the 2008 team that on opening day had a starting 9 that was all farm hands? We could well see by 2013 or 2014 a pitching staff that is all or mostly guys who came up through the farm system (counting White and Pomeranz there now since they were acquired by trading a home grown and both will spend time in our minors system). That is great news (if they perform) and could show quickly a system that was burned out (necessitating the Ubaldo trade) could become fruitful.