Brett Anderson (baseball)
Encyclopedia
Brett Franklin Anderson (born February 1, 1988, in Midland, Texas
) is a left-handed
pitcher
for the Oakland Athletics
.
in Stillwater, Oklahoma
, where he was an all-state selection in 2006, his senior year.
in the second round of the 2006 Major League Baseball Draft
.
In December 2007, he was traded by Diamondbacks with Dana Eveland
, Greg Smith
, Aaron Cunningham
, Carlos González
and Chris Carter
to the Athletics for Dan Haren
and Connor Robertson
.
In 2008, Anderson hurled one scoreless inning in the All-Star Futures Game
played at Yankee Stadium
. He was a combined 11-4 with a 3.62 earned run average
and 101 strikeout
s between Class A and Double-A when he was named to the U.S. Olympic Team
in Beijing
. He and his team won a bronze medal at the 2008 Summer Olympics
.
Anderson was a highly-touted young prospect; in 2008 he was ranked as the 36th-best prospect in the Major Leagues, and in 2009 he was ranked the top prospect in Oakland's system and the #7 prospect overall by Baseball America
.
striking out 9 batters, a career high. It was his first career shutout, and his first career complete game.
On July 19, 2009, Anderson threw a perfect game through 7 2/3 innings, eventually surrendering a hit to Bobby Abreu
. He gave up only 2 hits, 0 walks, and 0 earned runs through 8 innings pitched, and struck out 6.
On September 24, 2009, Anderson broke the Oakland Athletics
single-season rookie strikeout record (a team record that was held since 1977), while racking up 6 strikeouts in 5 2/3 innings versus the Texas Rangers
.
Anderson Finished the season with an 11-11 record, posting a 4.06 ERA. He led the team in wins (11), shutouts (1), tied with Tomko
and strikeouts (150). He received 2 votes for AL ROY, losing to teammate Andrew Bailey
.
Anderson began the season off throwing 6 shutout innings against the Mariners
. He allowed 3 hits, struck out 4 and walked 1, getting Oakland's rotation first win.
, the baseball coach at Oklahoma State University
.
Midland, Texas
Midland is a city in and the county seat of Midland County, Texas, United States, on the Southern Plains of the state's western area. A small portion of the city extends into Martin County. As of 2010, the population of Midland was 111,147. It is the principal city of the Midland, Texas...
) is a left-handed
Left-handed
Left-handedness is the preference for the left hand over the right for everyday activities such as writing. In ancient times it was seen as a sign of the devil, and was abhorred in many cultures...
pitcher
Pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
for the Oakland Athletics
Oakland Athletics
The Oakland Athletics are a Major League Baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From to the present, the Athletics have played in the O.co Coliseum....
.
Early life
He attended Stillwater High SchoolStillwater High School (Oklahoma)
Stillwater High School is a secondary school located within Payne County in Stillwater, Oklahoma.-External links:*...
in Stillwater, Oklahoma
Stillwater, Oklahoma
Stillwater is a city in north-central Oklahoma at the intersection of U.S. 177 and State Highway 51. It is the county seat of Payne County, Oklahoma, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 45,688. Stillwater is the principal city of the Stillwater Micropolitan Statistical...
, where he was an all-state selection in 2006, his senior year.
Baseball career
Anderson was selected by the Arizona DiamondbacksArizona Diamondbacks
The Arizona Diamondbacks are a professional baseball team based in Phoenix. They play in the West Division of Major League Baseball's National League. From 1998 to the present, they have played in Chase Field...
in the second round of the 2006 Major League Baseball Draft
2006 Major League Baseball Draft
The 2006 First-Year Player Draft, Major League Baseball's annual amateur draft, was held on June 6 and 7. It was conducted via conference call with representatives from each of the league's 30 teams.-First Round Selections:...
.
In December 2007, he was traded by Diamondbacks with Dana Eveland
Dana Eveland
Dana James Eveland is a left-handed Major League Baseball starting pitcher with the Los Angeles Dodgers.Eveland throws a four-seam fastball, slider, changeup, and curveball. He is 6' 1" and weighs 230 pounds....
, Greg Smith
Greg Smith (pitcher)
Gregory Thomas Smith is an American professional baseball pitcher.-Baseball career:Smith attended Louisiana State University, where he played for the LSU Tigers baseball team...
, Aaron Cunningham
Aaron Cunningham
Aaron Roe Ward Cunningham is a Major League Baseball outfielder for the San Diego Padres.-Baseball career:Cunningham was drafted by the Chicago White Sox in the sixth round of the 2005 Major League Baseball Draft...
, Carlos González
Carlos González (baseball)
Carlos Eduardo González is a Major League Baseball outfielder for the Colorado Rockies.-Minor leagues:...
and Chris Carter
Chris Carter (right-handed hitter)
Vernon Christopher "Chris" Carter is a professional baseball player for the Oakland Athletics of Major League Baseball.-High school career:...
to the Athletics for Dan Haren
Dan Haren
Daniel John Haren is a Major League Baseball starting pitcher for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.- High-school and college career :...
and Connor Robertson
Connor Robertson
James Connor Robertson is a currently inactive right-handed Major League Baseball relief pitcher...
.
In 2008, Anderson hurled one scoreless inning in the All-Star Futures Game
All-Star Futures Game
The All-Star Futures Game is an annual baseball exhibition game between a team of top minor league prospects from the United States and a team of prospects from other parts of the World...
played at Yankee Stadium
Yankee Stadium
Yankee Stadium was a stadium located in The Bronx in New York City, New York. It was the home ballpark of the New York Yankees from 1923 to 1973 and from 1976 to 2008. The stadium hosted 6,581 Yankees regular season home games during its 85-year history. It was also the former home of the New York...
. He was a combined 11-4 with a 3.62 earned run average
Earned run average
In baseball statistics, earned run average is the mean of earned runs given up by a pitcher per nine innings pitched. It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number of innings pitched and multiplying by nine...
and 101 strikeout
Strikeout
In baseball or softball, a strikeout or strike-out occurs when a batter receives three strikes during his time at bat. A strikeout is a statistic recorded for both pitchers and batters....
s between Class A and Double-A when he was named to the U.S. Olympic Team
Baseball at the 2008 Summer Olympics
Baseball at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing was held from August 13 to August 23. All games were played at Wukesong Baseball Field, a temporary venue constructed at the Beijing Wukesong Culture & Sports Center...
in Beijing
Beijing
Beijing , also known as Peking , is the capital of the People's Republic of China and one of the most populous cities in the world, with a population of 19,612,368 as of 2010. The city is the country's political, cultural, and educational center, and home to the headquarters for most of China's...
. He and his team won a bronze medal at the 2008 Summer Olympics
2008 Summer Olympics
The 2008 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXIX Olympiad, was a major international multi-sport event that took place in Beijing, China, from August 8 to August 24, 2008. A total of 11,028 athletes from 204 National Olympic Committees competed in 28 sports and 302 events...
.
Anderson was a highly-touted young prospect; in 2008 he was ranked as the 36th-best prospect in the Major Leagues, and in 2009 he was ranked the top prospect in Oakland's system and the #7 prospect overall by Baseball America
Baseball America
Baseball America is a magazine which covers baseball at every level, with a particular focus on up-and-coming players in high school, college, Japan, and the minor leagues. It is currently published in the form of a bi-weekly newspaper, five annual reference book titles, a weekly podcast, and a...
.
Major leagues
On July 6, 2009, Anderson pitched a shutout against the Boston Red SoxBoston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
striking out 9 batters, a career high. It was his first career shutout, and his first career complete game.
On July 19, 2009, Anderson threw a perfect game through 7 2/3 innings, eventually surrendering a hit to Bobby Abreu
Bobby Abreu
Bob Kelly "Bobby" Abreu , nicknamed "El Comedulce" and also "La Luche", is a Major League Baseball left fielder for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim....
. He gave up only 2 hits, 0 walks, and 0 earned runs through 8 innings pitched, and struck out 6.
On September 24, 2009, Anderson broke the Oakland Athletics
Oakland Athletics
The Oakland Athletics are a Major League Baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From to the present, the Athletics have played in the O.co Coliseum....
single-season rookie strikeout record (a team record that was held since 1977), while racking up 6 strikeouts in 5 2/3 innings versus the Texas Rangers
Texas Rangers (baseball)
The Texas Rangers are a professional baseball team in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, based in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League, and are the reigning A.L. Western Division and A.L. Champions. Since , the Rangers have...
.
Anderson Finished the season with an 11-11 record, posting a 4.06 ERA. He led the team in wins (11), shutouts (1), tied with Tomko
Brett Tomko
Brett Daniel Tomko is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. He has played for the Cincinnati Reds, San Diego Padres, Seattle Mariners, St...
and strikeouts (150). He received 2 votes for AL ROY, losing to teammate Andrew Bailey
Andrew Bailey (baseball)
Andrew Scott Bailey is an American baseball relief pitcher for the Oakland Athletics of Major League Baseball. He is a native of Voorhees Township, New Jersey.-Baseball career:...
.
Anderson began the season off throwing 6 shutout innings against the Mariners
Seattle Mariners
The Seattle Mariners are a professional baseball team based in Seattle, Washington. Enfranchised in , the Mariners are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Safeco Field has been the Mariners' home ballpark since July...
. He allowed 3 hits, struck out 4 and walked 1, getting Oakland's rotation first win.
Personal
Anderson is the son of Frank AndersonFrank Anderson (baseball coach)
Frank Anderson is the current head baseball coach at Oklahoma State University. His team won the 2004 Big 12 Baseball Tournament. In 2005, his team went 34–25, including an upset over the top ranked Texas Longhorns. In 2006, OSU went 41–20, and earned a number 1 seed in the NCAA tournament...
, the baseball coach at Oklahoma State University
Oklahoma State Cowboys
Oklahoma State Cowboys are the athletic teams that represent Oklahoma State University. Their mascot is a cowboy named Pistol Pete. Oklahoma State participates in the NCAA's Division I-A and in the Big 12 Conference's South Division. The university's current athletic director is Mike Holder...
.