Tyler Anderson’s All-Star-worthy performance on the mound has not gotten the Angels far.
They are hoping, though, that what he has done to get himself to his second All-Star Game can make an impact on an organization that is still trying to get more out of its pitchers.
“He’s a tremendous role model, because his work ethic is impeccable,” Angels manager Ron Washington said before Anderson headed off to Arlington, Texas, for his second All-Star Game in three years. “His work ethic is to a fault and his work ethic is old school. He comes out and he does what he has to do even when he doesn’t feel like doing it. And the way he handled himself through adversity, it rubs off on these kids.”
The Angels, of course, have plenty of pitchers who have not lived up what they’ve shown at their best moments, from Reid Detmers to José Suarez to Patrick Sandoval to Griffin Canning.
For inspiration, they need only to look at Anderson, who had a 5.43 ERA during a miserable 2023 season. This season, Anderson has a 2.97 ERA and has pitched 118 innings.
“T.A. is really detail oriented and really disciplined in his routine, so I think that’s one thing for sure that we can all pick up from him,” Canning said. “No matter how he feels, he just goes out and competes and tries to execute pitches.”
Anderson, 34, has been through a rollercoaster in a major league career that began with the Colorado Rockies in 2016. He moved to the San Francisco Giants, Pittsburgh Pirates, Seattle Mariners and Dodgers, before signing a three-year, $39 million deal with the Angels.
Since then he’s been an example what happens when everything goes wrong, and then what happens when everything goes right.
What would he say to his teammates who have experienced the same highs and lows?
“It’s tough,” Anderson said. “I just feel like you’ve got to do a deep dive and know what makes you good. And if you don’t know that, it’s hard. If you don’t really know what your strengths are, it’s hard to try to revert back to your strengths and hone in on your strengths.
“But I think as a player if you’re struggling you have to know when you’re at your best what you do well, and then figure out how you get back to doing those things.”
Now that Anderson has reverted to his top form, with another year left on his contract, he’s made himself into an attractive trade chip. He’s also someone the Angels could want to keep, in order to have him help mold their young pitchers for another season.
Reliever Hunter Strickland, 35, echoed his manager’s thoughts on what Anderson brings to the young pitchers.
“It’s phenomenal,” Strickland said. “He’s a pro. He’s got a strict routine that works for him. He’s figured it out. And I think that obviously what he does on the field is speaking for itself. He’s been phenomenal for us and consistent. Him sticking to his work ethic. It speaks volumes. And these guys take notice.”
In the meantime, the All-Star Game is providing Anderson an opportunity to learn.
When he was an All-Star in 2022, he said the conversations with other pitchers were eye-opening.
“It’s fun,” he said. “The last time there were guys you wouldn’t expect and you talk to them and you’re like, ‘Oh man, this guy’s got a really good process.’ Get a guy’s thoughts on pitching in general.”
Although Anderson was able to talk to other All-Stars, he did not pitch in that game.
And he said he’s not hung up on whether it happens this time around.
“It would be fun, good or bad, just to go out and face guys who are the best,” he said, “and see what you can do.”
