Drafted in the 4th round (140th overall) by the St. Louis Cardinals in 2005 (signed for $250,000).
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Lefthanded-hitting C Bryan Anderson, an Arizona recruit, had expectations of going in the top five rounds, but his offensive production fell off as he had little protection in the Simi Valley High lineup. Scouts say his throwing mechanics also regressed this spring--even as he threw out almost every basestealer. Anderson can swing the bat well enough if a position switch is in order, but his lack of speed may limit his options.
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Any hesitance the major league staff may have had about turning over one of its pitchers to Anderson dissipated when the lefthanded-hitting catcher gained an advocate in Gold Glove winner Mike Matheny. Matheny has tutored Anderson for a couple of years, trying to mold him into the fundamentals-first catcher the Cardinals insist on. Big league trust is the best gauge, and confirming his turnaround, a starter who once said he was uncomfortable throwing to him acknowledged Anderson's improvement in handling, if not calling, a game. Anderson doesn't snatch at pitches as much as he used to, is now average at blocking balls, and his footwork behind the plate has improved to make his throwing mechanics less awkward. Anderson's level, balanced swing remains his best asset. A .294 hitter in the minors, he hit .375 as a pinch-hitter in the majors, and his power took a step forward last year though it's below average. Still just 24, Anderson is ready to battle for major league time. But while Jason LaRue retired and defensive specialist Matt Pagnozzi was released, the Cardinals signed Gerald Laird as the backup to Yadier Molina. Anderson will battle for a bench role and if not will head back to Triple-A.
Anderson was in the midst of the worst season of his five-year pro career when a June 25 collision at home plate left him with a dislocated left shoulder and two torn ligaments in the joint. Anderson originally thought he'd need season-ending shoulder surgery, but on the day the operation was scheduled, the Cardinals' team doctor suggested he try rest and rehab. Anderson returned to get in a few games in the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League at the end of the season and was able play in the Arizona Fall League. The Cardinals also added him to the 40-man roster. He's still young and still has the fluid lefthanded swing that enabled him to hit .299 as a pro. However, his bat may be his lone solid-average tool. He has yet to develop the gap power that St. Louis projected for him, and he's still shaky behind the plate despite special instruction from former Gold Glove winner Mike Matheny. Anderson has fringy arm strength and unorthodox mechanics that cost him accuracy, and he threw out just 28 percent of basestealers in Triple-A last season. He also needs to improve his receiving and blocking skills. Like most catchers, he's a below-average runner. Anderson will return to Memphis, possibly in a time share with the defensive-minded Matt Pagnozzi, and try to re-establish his worth within the organization.
One of the youngest players in every league he's played in during his pro career, Anderson has hit at least .281 at every stop. He figured to spend a second year as an everyday catcher in Double-A, but hit .388 to force a promotion before the end of last April. He has played in the Futures Game and with Team USA. Anderson has a savvy approach at the plate and a fluid lefthanded swing with some elements of an uppercut. He's not flummoxed by southpaws, hitting .308/.384/.415 against them at Triple-A. Scouts still expect him to develop the gap power that hasn't manifested itself as quickly as hoped. Pitchers say he calls a good game. Anderson continues to improve as a catcher, becoming more adept at receiving and blocking balls. His throwing mechanics aren't traditional, costing him accuracy, but he has gotten quicker and caught 38 percent of basestealers in 2008. He tends to snatch at pitches. There's some concern he lacks the size to thrive through a full big league season. If Anderson does shift positions--perhaps to second base?--the Cardinals say it will be because he's blocked by Gold Glove winner Yadier Molina, not his lack of ability. While he offers an intriguing long-term lefthanded complement to Molina, Anderson's immediate future is in Triple-A. He could be the best trade chip St. Louis has.
Anderson leapfrogged high Class A and became the youngest all-star in the Texas League in 2007, edging Colby Rasmus by two months. He joined Rasmus at the Futures Game and narrowly missed hitting .300 for the third time in three pro seasons. He also played with Rasmus and Chris Perez on Team USA. Anderson has a mature approach at the plate and a keen sense of the strike zone to go with a smooth, uppercut lefthanded swing. He should be able to hit for average with gap power in the majors. Pitchers laud his ability to call and control a game behind the plate, while managers praise his leadership. His arm strength is average. The power Anderson is expected to develop hasn't arrived yet, as he cracked only 22 extra-base hits in 389 at-bats. He has odd throwing mechanics, which costs him accuracy and limited him to throwing out just 27 percent of basestealers in 2007. He's improving behind the plate, but needs work with his receiving and footwork. He has below-average speed. Anderson will be 21 when he reports to his third big league camp this spring. He has a higher offensive ceiling than St. Louis incumbent Yadier Molina, though his defense isn't as stout. If Anderson can't take his job after time in Triple-A, he should make a nice complement to Molina.
Anderson had a disappointing performance as a high school senior in 2005, but he has done nothing but produce since signing as a fourth-round pick that June. He parlayed a strong pro debut into an invitation to big league camp last spring; he was the youngest player in attendance at age 19. Anderson is a rare commodity, a lefty-hitting catcher with the potential to produce for average and gap power. He controls the strike zone very well for someone his age. He draws raves for his leadership skills and is a good receiver. He has an average, accurate arm and threw out 36 percent of basestealers last year. While he polices the run game effectively, Anderson's throwing mechanics aren't smooth and it's uncertain whether his success throwing out runners will carry over to the upper levels. He's also working on improving his blocking skills. He's a below-average runner. Ticketed for high Class A in 2007, Anderson will present the Cardinals with an interesting dilemma if he continues to hit. Yadier Molina is one of the better defensive catchers in the majors, but his offensive potential is far less than Anderson's.
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Anderson began the season with Double-A Springfield, but didn't stay long, earning a promotion before the end of April after hitting .388/.412/.525. He spent the rest of the year as the PCL's youngest regular at age 21, holding his own against veteran competition. Anderson's mature approach served him well in Memphis. He did a good job of controlling the strike zone, staying inside the ball and spraying it to all fields. He might not hit for average power, but he should hit more homers as he matures physically. Another member of the new generation of athletic backstops, he runs well for a catcher. Anderson draws praise for his game-calling and the work he puts in to learn his pitchers. His receiving skills still need work and are the biggest obstacle between him and the major leagues. His arm strength is serviceable, though he threw out 38 percent of basestealers this year, up from 27 percent in 2007.
Anderson jumped past high Class A to Springfield this season, and while he drew compliments for his potential with the bat, he raised questions about his long-term ability to stay behind the plate. His value is obviously much greater as a lefthanded-hitting catcher than it would be at first base, where it's not clear he would have enough power for the position. Anderson struggled to drive the ball against Double-A pitching, but scouts and managers liked his uppercut swing and think he can consistently hit around .300 with at least gap power. He has good strike-zone recognition and is willing to take a walk. They're not as sold on his defense. He struggled transferring the ball and wasn't accurate with his throws, erasing just 27 percent of basestealers. He blocks balls well but needs to get quieter in his receiving. His own manager, Warner, noted that Anderson is just 20 and believes he'll be able to make the necessary improvements to stay at catcher. He also said Anderson made great strides handling a pitching staff and calling games.
Anderson is a teenage catcher who provides offense, hits lefthanded as a bonus and shows some promise on defense. But more than any of his tools, what stood out the most was the way he ran an older Quad Cities pitching staff. "He's by far the best catcher in the league, offensively and defensively," said West Michigan manager Matt Walbeck, who caught for 11 seasons in the majors. "What I like most about him is that he handles his pitching staff very well. He calls a good game, he's very quiet behind the plate and he's very young. He reminds me of Mike Matheny a little bit." Anderson has more offensive potential than Matheny, hitting for average, controlling the strike zone very well and providing gap power. His arm strength is average at best, though he makes accurate throws and erased 36 percent of basestealers this year. He receives well but is working on improving his blocking skills.
In any other season, Anderson almost certainly would have been the Appy League's top catching prospect. Like Snyder and Ramirez, he hit for power and showed advanced strike-zone judgment but isn't nearly a finished product defensively. Anderson needs to make improvements behind the plate with his footwork, blocking and receiving. His arm is average and generally accurate, but his mechanics regressed and he erased just 22 percent of basestealers. Offensively, he made Kidwell think of another Johnson City catcher he managed. "Anderson reminds me of Daric Barton, who we had two years ago," Kidwell said. "He's got a similar plane to his swing with a slight uppercut, but he catches up with the fastball. He stays with the ball and can hit to the opposite field."
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