Welcome back to LWOS 2016 MLB Draft Coverage, the column that brings you player profiles for the next crop of professional baseball players that are likely to be selected in the upcoming draft. Be sure to bookmark the site, follow us on Twitter, and spread the word for the site that will bring you analytical profiles and scouting reports. Click here to check out our complete coverage of the 2016 MLB Draft. Last Word On Sports is your new headquarters for all things 2016 MLB Draft!
Overview
School: Shenendehowa High School (Clifton Park, New York)
Position: RHP
Height: 6’3″
Weight: 170
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
Ian Anderson 2016 MLB Draft Profile
Ian Anderson is promising high school talent who projects as a top-ten pick in the upcoming June draft. The only problem here is that Anderson has committed to Vanderbilt, making him a tough sign, especially if he does not land within the top ten. The young right-hander tosses as a fastball that has touched as high as 97, and sports a clean and easy delivery with good command. With the ability to work both sides of the plate, Anderson also has a strong curveball as his primary off-speed pitch.
Once Groome and Pint come off the board, Anderson becomes the best arm available and should not slip beyond the tenth overall pick. New York power arms are always interesting to consider, especially when you account for the fact that they pitch the majority of their season without the favorable warm weather conditions that most young players generally have.
Strengths:
- Fastball reaches 97
- Strong secondary pitch in his curveball
- Loose and smooth delivery
- Tall and athletic frame
- Ability to effectively work both sides of the plate (above average command)
Weaknesses:
- Committed to Vanderbilt, making this a risky pick
- Long-term seasoning in the minor leagues
- Changeup is an afterthought and needs work
- Fastball generally sits in the lower 90s
MLB Comparison: Trevor Bauer
Projected Pick Range: 8-12
Most Likely Landing Spot: Miami Marlins, Chicago White Sox, New York Yankees
Bottom Line
While it is up for debate whether Jason Groome or Riley Pint will come off the board first, it is pretty much a certainty that Ian Anderson will be the third starter taken. It would be surprising if he fell out of the top ten, but his commitment to Vanderbilt does create cause for concern. Vanderbilt has a very strong program and has raised the draft stock of many of the players that come through it (think David Price and Dansby Swanson just to start). The most logical outcome seems to be Miami at number seven or the White Sox at number ten. However, if for some reason Anderson starts to slip, it’s within the realm of possibility that the pitching-deprived Yankees gamble on selecting the Clifton Park native at number eighteen.
Sources: ESPN MLB Draft Blog, ESPN Insider, Baseball America, Baseball Draft Report
Photo via youtube.com
