Tyler Anderson Traded to the Phillies for Two Prospects

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - JULY 20: Starting pitcher Tyler Anderson #31 of the Pittsburgh Pirates throws against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the first inning of the MLB game at Chase Field on July 20, 2021 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Ralph Freso/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - JULY 20: Starting pitcher Tyler Anderson #31 of the Pittsburgh Pirates throws against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the first inning of the MLB game at Chase Field on July 20, 2021 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Ralph Freso/Getty Images)

The Pittsburgh Pirates have traded starting pitcher Tyler Anderson to the Philadelphia Phillies in exchange for two minor league prospects.

The Pittsburgh Pirates continue their fire-sale of expiring contracts and players that they do not view to be part of the rebuild. Tyler Anderson is the most recent player added to this list and he will make his way across the state to the Philadelphia Phillies.

Tyler Anderson has pitched well for the Pirates this year on his 1 year $2.5 million contract. With an ERA of 4.35 and a FIP that is slightly lower, Anderson has provided the Pirates rotation with quality start after quality start. While Anderson doesn’t miss a ton of bats and has only produced a 7.5 K/9 this season, he does do a good job at limiting home runs and free passes. Anderson has also averaged 5+ innings per start this season, which is an underrated statistic for starting pitchers in 2021.

It is clear why the Phillies were interested in Anderson as they currently sit in second place in the National League East behind the faltering New York Mets. The NL East is shaping up to be one of the more exciting second half races in the MLB and with the right moves, the Phillies could certainly capture the division’s top spot. Anderson will most likely fit in as the team’s 4th or 5th starter and could start as soon as Wednesday or Thursday for the team.

The Pirates are receiving two prospects in the deal, Cristian Hernandez and Abrahan Gutierrez. Depending on which prospect website one looks at, both of these players are ranked somewhere are the high 20s and low 30s in the Phillies prospect pool. However, both of these players are extremely young and could easily end their minor league careers as higher ranked prospects.

Hernandez is a 20 year old starting pitcher for the Phillies Low-A Clearwater squad. Over 14 appearances this season he carries a 3.49 ERA. Gutierrez is a 21 year old catcher for the Phillies Low-A  Clearwater squad and has posted a .285/.418/.842 line this season over 213 plate appearances. In addition to hitting well, Gutierrez appears to have good eye for the strike zone as he has walked at an astounding rate 16.9% in his 2021 season.

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