The Los Angeles Angels signed ex-Boston Red Sox closer Kenley Jansen via free agency, and now the club has also added one of their former prospects.
Los Angeles signed pitcher Shaun Anderson to a minor-league deal Thursday, according to MLB.com’s transactions tracker, and immediately assigned the right-hander to its Triple-A affiliate in Salt Lake, Utah. The Angels, however, are expected to welcome Anderson to their big league camp as a non-roster invitee this month.
Anderson, who pitched three seasons with the Florida Gators, both as a starting pitcher and reliever, was selected in the third round of the 2016 MLB draft by the Red Sox. Initially, the plan was for Anderson to develop as a starting pitcher in Boston’s farm system after signing him to a $700,000 bonus. Anderson began with the Single-A Lowell Spinners and the following season was promoted to the High-A Salem Red Sox.
Boston soon after parted ways with Anderson when the then-prospect was traded in 2017 — along with Gregory Santos — to the San Francisco Giants in exchange for utility infielder Eduardo Núñez. The Red Sox comfortably won that pre-trade deadline swap as Núñez stuck around for three seasons and played a critical role for the franchise during its victorious run to the 2018 World Series.
From there, Anderson bounced around across the big leagues and spent time outside the country. The 30-year-old has logged brief stints with the Minnesota Twins, Texas Rangers (twice), Baltimore Orioles, San Diego Padres, Toronto Blue Jays, Philadelphia Phillies, the Olmecas de Tabasco of the Mexican League and the Kia Tigers of the KBO League. Most recently, Anderson pitched for the Miami Marlins last season.
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Anderson tossed 63 innings over 19 appearances with Miami’s Triple-A club, recording a 3.00 ERA with a 23.4% strikeout rate and 5.9% walk rate. When the Marlins and Rangers called upon him to pitch in the majors last season, Anderson struggled. He allowed 15 earned runs in 16 1/3 innings, making two starts and four relief appearances.
Featured image via Amber Searls/Imagn Images
