Not much was expected from Tyler Anderson in his first and only season with the Los Angeles Dodgers, but he became an integral part of a 111-win team.
During the 2021 season, Anderson split time between the Pittsburgh Pirates and Seattle Mariners, making a combined 31 starts and throwing 167 innings while posting a 4.53 ERA. Throughout his career, Anderson held a 4.62 ERA across 623.2 innings.
The veteran lefty was signed just before the 2022 season started to a one-year contract worth $8 million, and he opened the campaign pitching out of the bullpen as a piggyback to Tony Gonsolin.
In his first two appearances as a reliever, Anderson threw a combined eight innings while giving up four hits and two earned runs with eight strikeouts and no walks. He started his first game against the San Diego Padres on April 23, and never looked back from his new role in the rotation.
Anderson won his first eight decisions of the season before taking a loss on June 27 against the Colorado Rockies when he gave up four runs over six innings.
After a dominant first half of the season in which he went 10-1 with a 2.96 ERA, 3.33 FIP, 1.01 WHIP, 81 strikeouts and 17 walks in 97.1 innings, Anderson was named to the All-Star Game for the first time in his career. He did not pitch during the 3-2 National League loss, but it was still a special honor for the seven-year pro.
Anderson pitched even better in the second half, throwing 81.1 innings with a 2.10 ERA and 0.98 WHIP to close out the season. He finished the year 15-5 with a 2.57 ERA and 1.00 WHIP across 30 games.
In the postseason, Anderson started Game 4 of the NL Division Series against the San Diego Padres, and he pitched well, going five innings and giving up no runs on two hits while adding six strikeouts and two walks. Unfortunately, it was not enough for the win as the Dodgers were eliminated from the postseason with a 5-3 loss.
Following the season, Anderson declined the $19.65 million qualifying offer from the Dodgers and signed a three-year, $39 million dollar contract with the Los Angeles Angels.
After signing with the Angels, Anderson took to his Instagram account to thank the Dodgers and their fans for “such a fun year.” He also added it was a “great experience” being part of a “first-class team and organization” in the “best city in the world.”
Tyler Anderson 2022 highlight
Anderson had many highlights during the 2022 season, which most notably was his first career All-Star selection, but his best statistical performance came on June 15 against the Angels.
The 32-year-old took a no-hitter into the ninth inning against the Angels before it was broken up by Shohei Ohtani with one out. A scoring change later ruled an earlier error into a hit, but nevertheless, Anderson finished the day earning his eighth win behind 8.1 innings of one run ball, giving up two hits while adding eight strikeouts and two walks.
2023 outlook
Anderson now becomes an important part of an Angels’ rotation that is looking to help them return to the postseason for the first time since 2014. He should slot in behind Shohei Ohtani and Patrick Sandoval while providing a veteran presence in a young rotation.
It’s hard to predict what version of Anderson will be seen 2023, whether it’s the mid-rotation innings eater he was for most of his career or the All-Star level arm he was with the Dodgers. However, Anderson has proven he is a Major League pitcher regardless, and that should continue into the future.
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