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Prospect Watch: Brian Anderson

By Andrew Guthart

Mar 28, 2017; West Palm Beach, FL, USA; Miami Marlins third baseman Brian Anderson (87) is unable to throw out Washington Nationals first baseman Ryan Zimmerman (not pictured) at first base during a spring training game at The Ballpark of the Palm Beaches. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 28, 2017; West Palm Beach, FL, USA; Miami Marlins third baseman Brian Anderson (87) is unable to throw out Washington Nationals first baseman Ryan Zimmerman (not pictured) at first base during a spring training game at The Ballpark of the Palm Beaches. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /
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A look at one of the Miami Marlins top prospects, Brian Anderson

According to Baseball America, Brian Anderson is ranked as the Miami Marlins number four rated prospect in their farm system.

Anderson is a 23-year-old out of Oklahoma City.  He was originally drafted by the Twins out of high school in the 20th round in 2011. Instead he took a scholarship to play in the SEC at the University of Arkansas.

Three years later, he was drafted by the Marlins in the third round. Anderson is currently the starting third baseman for the Marlins AA affiliate, the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp.

Minor league resume

Before his arrival in Jacksonville, Anderson has made stops in Batavia, Greensboro, and Jupiter. In single A, he has seen seasons where he’s hit .314/.378/.516 and .302/.377/.440. The latter of which got him promoted from Jupiter to where he is now, Jacksonville.

Due to his success last year, he’s also earned honors as the Miami Marlins minor league player of the year. Anderson is 6’3, 185 pounds which incorporates into him being a solid fielder. His body frame is comparable to that of Manny Machado’s.

I’m not saying Anderson defends like Machado, but the body frame definitely gives both a speed and agility advantage.

What Anderson Brings to the Plate

With that being said, Anderson also can hit for some power hitting 11 homers last year with eight of them being in pitchers friendly Jacksonville in only 86 games. Something a tad troubling, however, is his walk to strikeout ratio.

So far in his minor league career he’s struck out twice as many times as he’s getting walked. In 86 games in Jacksonville last year, he struck out 59 times. The positive to that is that he had 36 walks.

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This means that he showed some plate maturity this past half season. On top of that, so far this season he has eight walks and nine strikeouts. This is part of the Marlins hope that over the next couple of years he’ll take the next step in plate discipline.

Anderson proved himself during Spring Training slashing .349/.391/.605 with one long ball and seven RBI in 43 plate appearances. Spring, however, proved his inability to draw walks and swing at bad pitches. Anderson struck out nine times and only walked three, giving him a 3:1 K/BB ratio.

Next: Miami Marlins Lose Highly Touted Prospect To Injury

The Marlins vision is for Brain Anderson in the next three years to get more mature, and stronger so he can replace Martin Prado at third when his contract is up after the 2019 season.

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