SAN FRANCISCO — Tyler Anderson has always been big on taking notes. After the Rockies drafted the left-handed starter in the first round out of Oregon in 2011, Anderson began writing down everything he did like he was preparing for a college course.
Maybe it was how a bullpen felt or what he did to get a pitch to move a certain way. During games, Anderson would log pitch sequences in a notebook that he kept on the bench, a process that has been streamlined some over time.
When it comes to workouts, the 31-year-old still enjoys writing down exactly what he’s supposed to do, then feeling a sense of pride once he completes his list of tasks for that day.
“It’s a scientific fact,” Anderson said. “When you write things down, it increases the likelihood of remembering them and how much you can remember. I like that. Also, if you write things down before you do them, it kind of holds you accountable.”
The writing and meticulous way Anderson goes about doing his job has also kept him in the present, which has been hugely important and difficult to do this season. Signed to a one-year, $2.5 million contract this offseason, Anderson has been the Pirates’ best starting pitcher and most obvious trade chip outside of Adam Frazier.
It’s part of the business, Anderson acknowledges. It’s why he signed a short-term lease for housing in Pittsburgh and kept his wife and two kids back home in Scottsdale, Ariz. The Andersons like Pittsburgh but also realize it’s only temporary.
The important thing for Anderson has been not letting his mind wander. He tries to block out thoughts of potential trade scenarios and where he might live in a week by doing what he’s done for much of the time he’s been healthy — pitching well and journaling.
“I feel like you owe it to your teammates to not worry about it,” Anderson said. “You have to be here. You have to be where your feet are. Whatever jersey your wearing, you have to be the best teammate you can be for those guys.”
Perhaps that’s why Anderson joked with Cardinals third baseman Nolan Arenado earlier this season when Ke’Bryan Hayes made a terrific defensive play against catcher Yadier Molina. You can’t do that, Anderson chided his former teammate. Only Hayes can.
Anderson has also been good for some of the Pirates’ younger pitchers with his routine between starts and the seriousness with which he prepares.
Results-wise, Anderson has been solid. He has a 4.35 ERA in 18 starts, striking out 86 in 103 1/3 innings. The ERA is the second-lowest of Anderson’s career behind a mark of 3.54 from his rookie season in 2016. His walks per nine (2.2) are also tied with that season for his career low.
Whatever team gets Anderson, they’ll get someone with a funky delivery who has been both durable and consistent; the Las Vegas native has gone at least five innings in every start and has allowed more than three earned runs just three times.
“Of course there are thoughts and stuff like that,” Anderson said. “But at the end of the day, it’s just like anything else. When you have thoughts about that stuff, you just have to keep it in check and be the best teammate you can be for your guys here.
“We’ve been grinding all year. We’re in a lot of games. We haven’t won as much as we would like, obviously, but we play hard. It’s a good team and an awesome group of guys.”
Anderson’s days as a Pirate are numbered. Assuming he makes his next scheduled start on Tuesday, it’ll almost assuredly be the last for him here.
Given how well he’s pitched this season, the Pirates’ need for younger players and the fact that Anderson has probably earned a bigger contract next season, when he’ll be a free agent again, it makes all the sense in the world for the Pirates to flip Anderson before Friday’s deadline.
The short stay in Pittsburgh showed Anderson plenty about his teammates. It has also reminded him of the cutthroat and competitive natural of professional baseball
“Even though we don’t have a great record, we’re in every game,” Anderson said. “We’ve been blown out a few times, but so has everybody else. Most times, we’re at least within striking distance.
“[Bryan] Reynolds is an incredible player. [Adam] Frazier, too. Everybody on this team does something really well, which is pretty impressive.”
Jason Mackey: jmackey@post-gazette.com and Twitter @JMackeyPG.
First Published: July 26, 2021, 5:11 p.m.
