Dodgers Select RHP Chris Anderson in First-Round of 2013 Draft

The 2013 MLB First -Year Player Draft began this Thursday, and the draft process will continue through Saturday June 8th. The Dodgers selected big right-hand pitcher Chris Anderson out of Jacksonville (FL) University. Anderson was picked 18th  overall in the first-round, and he became the first ever first-round selection from Jacksonville University.

Chris Anderson is a 6’4″, 225 lb. power pitcher who has hit up to 97 mph on the gun and usually throws in the low to mid-90s. His slider is his out pitch, but he also has other pitches in development. In his junior year, Anderson was 7-5 with a 2.49 ERA with three complete games in 14 starts as a Dolphin. He garnered honors in the All-Atlantic Sun Conference by striking out a conference best 101 strikeouts over 104 2/3 innings pitched.

The 20-year old is seen as a potential solid future starter, and some see Chris as good as a prospective #2 guy in a future Dodger rotation. To me, he seems akin to a Chad Billingsley type as a big right-hander. While some may say this was a unexciting pick, I feel it’s a smart choice given the lack of pitching depth within the Dodgers minor league ranks.

The Dodgers traded away a big chunk of their pitching corps last season. Josh Lindblom, Rubby De La Rosa, Ethan Martin, Allen Webster, Nathan Eovaldi, John Ely, and minor leaguer Scott McGough were all dealt in exchange for offense.

The slot value of the 18th pick is $2.1 million according to Baseball America who also ranked Anderson as the 9th best right-handed pitcher in the 2013 Draft.

While this pick was not flashy, I think it is a solid selection which will potentially add a top 10 organization player to the Dodgers ranks. A reliable right-handed starter is always a valuable asset to have. The Dodgers may have gone against tradition last year by selecting shortstop Corey Seager in the first round of the 2012 Draft, they revert back to tradition in 2013 by choosing pitching in the first round.