Marlins Have Defined Role For Anderson

MIAMI—An 18-year-old Brian Anderson drew plenty of interest from scouts at Deer Creek High in Edmond, Okla. Half of them wanted him as a hitter and the other half as a pitcher.

Anderson, who could touch 95 mph, knew exactly what he wanted to do.

“I told (scouts): ‘If you want me as a pitcher, I’m out,’ ” Anderson said. “I wanted to hit.”

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The Twins selected him in the 20th round of the 2011 draft, but he opted to attend Arkansas instead. He became a starter in the second half of his freshman season in 2012 when the Razorbacks finished third at the College World Series.

“I was 18 years old, and I got to play in front of 30,000 fans (per game),” Anderson said of the CWS. “The fans treated us like celebrities. It was awesome.”

Anderson never returned to the CWS before the Marlins drafted him in the third round after his 2014 junior season.
The 6-foot-3, 205-pound Anderson, who turns 23 in May, has developed nicely in two pro seasons since signing. He spent 2015 at high Class A Jupiter, where he batted .235/.304/.340 in 132 games.

After playing right field, left field, second base and shortstop at Arkansas, he has settled in as a third baseman. He is the organization’s best defensive infielder with the best arm.

“It’s an honor if I’m seen as a talent,” said Anderson, who led Florida State League third basemen with 28 double plays. “In college, I flip-flopped (defensively) so much that it was hard to keep track of the positions I played.
“When the Marlins drafted me, they made it clear they saw me as a third baseman.”

Anderson ranked 18th in the big-park FSL with 32 extra-base hits, including eight homers, in 2015. He will begin this season at Double-A Jacksonville.

“I want to cut down on my strikeouts and be more consistent,” Anderson said. “All I can do is (arrive at spring training) in shape and try to open some eyes.”

FISH BITES

• Marlins director of player development Brian Chattin on 26-year-old righthanded reliever Nefi Ogando, an offseason waiver claim from the Phillies: “We like his arm strength and potential. He needs to harness his stuff.”

• Chattin on 24-year-old lefthander Tim Berry, a waiver claim from the Orioles: “We’ve liked him throughout his career. We’re excited to have him.”