Nick Anderson (baseball)

Nick Anderson
Anderson with the Tampa Bay Rays in 2019
Free agent
Pitcher
Born: (1990-07-05) July 5, 1990 (age 34) Crosby, Minnesota, U.S.
Bats: Right Throws: Right
MLB debut
March 28, 2019, for the Miami Marlins
MLB statistics (through 2024 season)
Win–loss record	14–7
Earned run average	3.18
Strikeouts	202
Teams
Miami Marlins (2019) Tampa Bay Rays (2019–2021) Atlanta Braves (2023) Kansas City Royals (2024)
Career highlights and awards
All-MLB First Team (2020)

Nick Paul Anderson (born July 5, 1990) is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Miami Marlins, Tampa Bay Rays, Atlanta Braves and Kansas City Royals.

Early life

Anderson attended Brainerd High School in Brainerd, Minnesota. He played college baseball at St. Cloud State University in St. Cloud, Minnesota for three years (2009–2011).^[1] He transferred to NAIA Mayville State University in Mayville, North Dakota, for his senior season in 2012.^[2] In 12 games (11 starts) his senior year, he went 5–2 with a 1.95 ERA.

Professional career

Independent Leagues

The Milwaukee Brewers selected Anderson in the 32nd round of the 2012 MLB draft.^[3] He did not sign with the Brewers and played in the independent baseball Frontier League for three seasons. He played for the Rockford RiverHawks/Aviators in 2012 and 2013, and for the Frontier Greys in 2015.^[4][5]

Minnesota Twins

Anderson's contract was purchased by the Minnesota Twins in August 2015.^[5][6] He played in 9 games for the Cedar Rapids Kernels in 2015, recording a 0.75 ERA in 12 innings. He split the 2016 season between Cedar Rapids and the Fort Myers Miracle, accumulating a 4–3 record with a 2.65 ERA in 57.2 innings. In 2017, he played for Fort Myers and the Chattanooga Lookouts, accumulating a 4–1 record with a 1.00 ERA in 53.1 innings. He spent the 2018 season with the Rochester Red Wings, going 8–2 with a 3.30 ERA in 60 innings.^[4]

Miami Marlins

On November 20, 2018, the Twins traded Anderson to the Miami Marlins for Brian Schales,^[7] and the Marlins added him to their 40-man roster.

Anderson made the Marlins' 2019 Opening Day roster. On March 28, 2019, he made his major league debut against the Colorado Rockies. Anderson retired Ryan McMahon, the only batter he faced.^[8]

Anderson collected his first major league win on May 21 in a 5-4 11-inning game against the Detroit Tigers. He pitched the final two innings allowing no runs while striking out a career-high five batters.^[9] Before July 31, 2019, Anderson had appeared in 45 games with 69 strikeouts in 43+2⁄3 innings.

Tampa Bay Rays

On July 31, 2019, Anderson was traded to the Tampa Bay Rays (along with Trevor Richards) in exchange for Jesús Sánchez and Ryne Stanek.^[10] After the trade, he had an ERA of 2.11 in 21+1⁄3 innings with 41 strikeouts.

In 2020, Anderson went 2–1 with six saves and an 0.55 ERA in 16+1⁄3 innings over 19 games.^[11] In the 2020 postseason, as the Rays made their second World Series appearance in franchise history, Anderson made seven consecutive postseason appearances while allowing a run, breaking an MLB record.^[12] After the season, he was named to the All-MLB Team.^[13]

On March 25, 2021, it was announced that Anderson had suffered a partial tear of his elbow ligament and would miss time until at least the All-Star break.^[14] On March 26, Anderson was placed on the 60-day injured list.^[14] Anderson was activated from the injured list on September 12 to make his season debut.^[15] Anderson was able to work to a 4.50 ERA in 6 appearances for the Rays in 2021.

On October 27, 2021, Anderson underwent right elbow surgery to repair his ulnar collateral ligament with an internal brace procedure. The surgery was an alternative to Tommy John surgery, but Anderson was projected to remain out through the 2022 All-Star break.^[16]

On March 22, 2022, Anderson signed a $845,000 contract with the Rays, avoiding salary arbitration.^[17] On August 22, Anderson was activated from the injured list and optioned to Triple–A Durham Bulls.^[18] On November 9, 2022, Anderson was placed on outright waivers. After clearing waivers, Anderson became a free agent the next day.^[19]

Atlanta Braves

On November 11, 2022, Anderson signed a one-year, non-guaranteed split contract with the Atlanta Braves.^[20][21] Anderson was optioned to the Triple-A Gwinnett Stripers to begin the 2023 season.^[22] However, after it was revealed that Raisel Iglesias would begin the year on the injured list, the Braves announced that Anderson had made the Opening Day roster as part of the bullpen.^[23] After posting a 3.06 ERA with 36 strikeouts through 35 games, Anderson was placed on the 60-day injured list with a right shoulder strain on July 13, 2023.^[24]

Kansas City Royals

On November 17, 2023, the Braves traded Anderson to the Kansas City Royals in exchange for cash considerations.^[25][26] In 37 relief outings for the Royals, he compiled a 3-1 win-loss record, a 1.40 WHIP and a 4.04 ERA with 29 strikeouts, 15 walks, 2 holds and 1 save across 35+2⁄3 innings pitched.^[27] Anderson was designated for assignment by the Royals on July 13, 2024, after the team acquired reliever Hunter Harvey in a trade with the Washington Nationals.^[28] He was released by the organization on July 18.^[29]

Los Angeles Dodgers

On July 21, 2024, Anderson signed a minor league contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers.^[30] He pitched 4+1⁄3 innings over three games, and allowed three runs on three hits and three walks for the Triple–A Oklahoma City Baseball Club.^[31] He was released on August 27.^[32]

Baltimore Orioles

On August 28, 2024, Anderson signed a minor league contract with the Baltimore Orioles organization.^[33] He became a free agent after the season.^[34]

Personal life

In 2010, while at St. Cloud State University, Anderson received a drunken driving charge and in 2011 he spent eight days in jail on an assault charge that involved a baseball bat and alcohol. He received probation and underwent mandatory Alcoholics Anonymous and anger management classes.^[35][5]

References

1. "Former Husky makes major league baseball debut with the Miami Marlins". scsuhuskies.com. March 29, 2019. Retrieved March 31, 2019.
2. "Mayville State's Nick Anderson Selected in MLB Draft". msucomets.com. June 7, 2012. Retrieved March 31, 2019.
3. Newman, Denton (Denny) Jr. (June 6, 2012). "BASEBALL: Milwaukee Brewers draft BHS grad Nick Anderson". www.brainerddispatch.com. Retrieved December 14, 2018.
4. "Nick Anderson". thebaseballcube.com. Retrieved March 31, 2019.
5. Johnson, Jeff. "Kernels' Anderson perseveres in chase toward 'The Dream'". The Gazette. Retrieved December 14, 2018.
6. "Minnesotan Nick Anderson on the cusp of the majors after putting troubles behind him". Star Tribune. September 3, 2018. Retrieved December 14, 2018.
7. Dusenbury, Wells (November 21, 2018). "Derek Dietrich designated for assignment; Marlins acquire minor leaguer in trade". Sun-Sentinel.com. Retrieved December 14, 2018.
8. "Colorado Rockies at Miami Marlins Box Score, March 28, 2019". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved March 31, 2019.
9. "Miami Marlins at Detroit Tigers Box Score, May 21, 2019". baseball-reference.com. Retrieved May 22, 2019.
10. "Rays complete four-player trade with Marlins". MLB.com. July 31, 2019.
11. "Nick Anderson Stats". Baseball-Reference.com.
12. "Minnesota native Nick Anderson looks back at wild 2020 season with Tampa Rays". KTSP.com. January 18, 2021.
13. "Rays reliever Nick Anderson named to All-MLB First Team".
14. "Nick Anderson Suffers Partial Tear of Elbow Ligament". March 26, 2021.
15. "Nick Anderson, Tampa Bay Rays, RP - News, Stats, Bio".
16. "Anderson out through '22 ASG after surgery". MLB.com.
17. "Arbitration Tracker For 2022". MLBTradeRumors. Retrieved March 23, 2022.
18. McDonald, Darragh (August 22, 2022). "Rays Reinstate, Option Nick Anderson; Designate Phoenix Sanders". mlbtraderumors. Retrieved August 22, 2022.
19. "Nick Anderson: Hits free agency". cbssports.com. Retrieved June 30, 2023.
20. Toscano, Justin (November 11, 2022). "Braves sign reliever Nick Anderson to split contract". Atlanta Journal Constitution. Retrieved November 14, 2022.
21. Bowman, Mark (November 11, 2022). "Braves agree to 1-year deal with former Rays closer Anderson". MLB.com. Retrieved November 14, 2022.
22. Toscano, Justin (March 20, 2023). "Why Braves optioned Vaughn Grissom and others as opening-day roster comes into focus". Atlanta Journal Constitution. Retrieved March 26, 2023.
23. "Braves' Nick Anderson: Makes Opening Day roster". cbssports.com. Retrieved March 26, 2023.
24. "Braves' Nick Anderson: Lands on 60-day IL". cbssports.com. Retrieved July 13, 2023.
25. "Braves trade right-handers Kyle Wright and Nick Anderson to Royals". ESPN.com. Associated Press. November 17, 2023. Retrieved November 18, 2023.
26. Rogers, Anne (November 17, 2023). "Royals add Anderson, Wright in pair of trades with Braves". MLB.com. Retrieved November 18, 2023.
27. "Nick Anderson Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Rookie Status & More". Baseball-Reference.com. Archived from the original on July 17, 2024. Retrieved July 17, 2024.
28. Rogers, Anne (July 13, 2024). "Royals add reliever Harvey in trade with Nationals". MLB.com. Archived from the original on July 17, 2024. Retrieved July 17, 2024.
29. "Royals Place Nick Anderson On Release Waivers". mlbtraderumors.com. July 18, 2024. Retrieved July 19, 2024.
30. "Dodgers To Sign Nick Anderson To Minor League Deal". mlbtraderumors.com. July 21, 2024. Retrieved July 21, 2024.
31. "2024 Oklahoma City Baseball Club". Baseball Reference. Retrieved August 27, 2024.
32. "Nick Anderson bio". mlb.com. Retrieved August 27, 2024.
33. "Orioles, Nick Anderson Agree To Deal". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved September 2, 2024.
34. Eddy, Matt (November 6, 2024). "Minor League Free Agents 2024". Baseball America. Retrieved November 6, 2024.
35. Spencer, Clark (February 21, 2019). "This Marlins pitcher has overcome these personal and professional hurdles to be here". miamiherald.com. Retrieved March 31, 2019.

External links

• Career statistics from MLB, or ESPN, or Baseball Reference, or Fangraphs, or Baseball Reference (Minors), or Retrosheet