Chase Anderson was a pleasant surprise for the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2014. The rookie right-hander was dominating at Double A Mobile before being called up on May 11th, this after he had a rather substandard 2013 season at Triple A Reno. Anderson proceeded to go 9-7 with a 4.01 ERA in 21 starts for the Snakes, good numbers for a rookie on a terrible team. Naturally, it was thought that he could take the next step in 2015 as one of the only members of the rotation that was with the team the prior year. It worked out that way for most of the first half of the season.
The Good
The 27-year old Anderson was the best starting pitcher for Arizona during the first two months of 2015. Unfortunately, he had only one victory to show for it because of either a lack of run support or a blown lead by the bullpen. He enjoyed a tremendous month of May with a 2.65 ERA in six starts, a span covering 37 1/3 innings. Anderson went deeper into games in 2015, with six starts of seven innings or more. He ended the season on a high note with only two runs allowed over his final two starts.
The Bad
Anderson’s season went south toward the end of June. In an eight start stretch between June 23rd and August 18th, he allowed a total of 38 earned runs. He also went on the 15-day disabled list during this time not making a start between July 18th and August 7th because of a triceps issue. He threw seven shutout innings in his return but faltered again, resulting in Anderson being sent to Triple A Reno. Luckily for him, Jeremy Hellickson was placed on the DL, causing Anderson to come right back to Arizona, not missing a start. He finished the year with a record of 6-6 with an ERA of 4.30.
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Final Analysis
If it wasn’t for his early bad luck, Anderson would have had double digit victories. However, it also seems as though he is not a guy who will routinely make 30 starts and reach 200 innings per season. Though he improved a little bit in going deeper into games, there is this nagging feeling that he is at best, a six inning guy. If the team were ever to implement a six man rotation, Anderson would fare very well in that type of environment. Though not a lock to be a starter coming out of Spring Training, Anderson would have to be dreadful to not make the staff. Perhaps the best role for Chase Anderson on the Arizona Diamondbacks is to be the fifth starter with his turn periodically skipped.