For the first time in a long time, the Giants are clear sellers at the trade deadline. Whereas last July the team traded for pitching and third base help while dealing top prospects like Phil Bickford to do so, this July will likely see an overall influx of young talent come into the San Francisco organization.
That youth infusion began Tuesday night with the acquisition of young arms Shaun Anderson and Gregory Santos in exchange for Eduardo Nunez. Rather than seeing names fly off the Giants’ list of their top prospects like they have in summers past, this time around during the trade deadline, names will be added to that list. Count Anderson as the first one of potentially several, as the 2016 third-round pick is now San Francisco’s 17th among MLB.com’s top 30 prospects for the team.
“The impressive thing about Shaun, coming out of the University of Florida, a great program, as a closer, I think the Red Sox saw in him a potential to start,” Giants’ general manager Bobby Evans told reporters before Wednesday’s game. “He’s got four plus pitches, a plus fastball, where they converted him to a starter this year. Had a sub-three ERA pitching in a combination of the Valley League and the Carolina League.”
Putting Anderson at 17th might even understate the importance his development will take on for the remainder of this season in the Giants’ organization, though. Any time a new prospect switches organizations, it becomes interesting to see if his performance improves with a change of scenery and sends him up flying up the list of top youngsters. Likewise, his development could be thrown off track by a shift in culture or coaching.
Anderson, who started just one game in college but was converted out of the bullpen by the Red Sox, will go to High-A San Jose and likely continue his path as a starter for now.
Evans said Shaun Anderson (acquired for Nuñez) will go to SJ. #sfgiants want to monitor innings. Could start but be backed by another SP.
— Henry Schulman (@hankschulman) July 26, 2017
There’s ample need for future arms both in the starting rotation and the bullpen for the Giants, so they won’t be forced to make Anderson go one way or the other out of necessity. He’s found success as a starter this season, his first full campaign as a professional, across two levels. Playing at A and High-A in the Boston organization, Anderson made 18 starts and posted a 3.42 ERA while going 6-3.
But as Evans noted, the innings could be an issue for Anderson this season. He’s already thrown 97.1 innings this season but never tossed more than 46.1 innings in a season at Florida. In fact, he only had 86 innings pitched in his entire three-year career with the Gators.
“He pitched a little over 40 innings his last year of college and he’s already close to 100 innings this year so you just have to watch the number of innings he has,” Evans said. “Just found him to be very impressive, just from an overall mechanics, delivery, his stuff, our understanding of him and it’s a good fit for us in this deal. He’s really the more advanced of the two guys.”
At just 22 years old, Anderson doesn’t quite have the sensitive arm of a high schooler, but it’s sensible to pace him as he progresses through the minors. As the first new addition to the Giants’ top prospects list this July, eyes will be on Anderson as he joins San Jose and begins his journey through the organization.