River Cats Drown Opponents

The Sacramento River Cats repeated as Pacific Coast League (Triple-A) champions on the weekend after defeating Oklahoma (Texas) in the fourth game of a best-of-five series.

It was the left-handed arm of one of Oakland’s top pitching prospects that helped to lead the team to victory, as Brett Anderson snared two victories in the series despite having never pitched in a Triple-A game before the playoffs began.

In fact, Anderson, 20, opened the season in High-A ball where he made 14 appearances (13 starts) and allowed 68 hits in 74 innings. He walked 18 and struck out 80 with an average fastball, three pitches that can be plus at times: curve ball, slider, change-up, as well as excellent command.

Anderson was then promoted to Double-A where he made six starts and allowed 27 hits in 31 innings. He walked nine and stuck out 38. Obviously impressed by the 20-year-old, who was acquired from Arizona last off-season in the Dan Haren trade, the Oakland decision makers promoted Anderson to Triple-A for the playoffs.

He made his first appearance in relief during the first-round series against Salt Lake (Los Angeles AL). He pitched four innings of relief and allowed three runs on six hits and two walks. He also struck out three and pitched well enough to earn his first career save.

With his feet wet, Anderson was then inserted into the starting rotation for the PCL championship series and he started Game 1. He worked five innings and allowed two runs on six hits and a walk. He added three strikeouts and took the victory against a lineup that included a number of minor league veterans, including Ryan Roberts, and Chris Shelton, as well as prospects like Max Ramirez, and John Mayberry.

In Game 4, Anderson was even better as he pitched seven strong innings and allowed just two runs on five hits and three walks. He added three more strikeouts and induced 11 groundball outs, compared to six flyball outs.

To the Sacramento Bee newspaper, manager Todd Steverson said of Anderson, “He stepped up. Throwing in the series-clinching game and being able to keep his poise the way he did, he’s got a bright future.”

Not even old enough to drink, Anderson recorded two wins and a save in his first three Triple-A games against two of the top teams in the league. He has a bright future, indeed.