Blue Jays: Chase Anderson, we may have a problem

Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Chase Anderson has been shellacked in his first three Grapefruit League action games questioning how long the hurler will remain in the rotation.

Statistics gleaned during spring training are generally a small sample size and not the be-all and end-all when attempting to predict how someone will perform during the regular season. Pitchers are usually working on perfecting their secondary pitches and fine-tuning their repertoire.

However,  Chase Anderson‘s first trio of games as a Blue Jays has done little to impose any sort of optimism for the season ahead. The 32-year old has surrendered 11 earned runs including three home runs while walking six in 5.2 innings of work. His earned average is a robust 17.47 as he has fooled nobody he has faced thus far.

Last season, Anderson compiled a 6.19 earned run average in 16 innings of work during spring training with the Brewers. He enjoyed a career year in 2017 where he posted a 12-4 record with a 2.74 earned run average, that spring he sported a 2.79 earned run average in 19.1 innings of work.

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The Blue Jays acquired Anderson this past offseason from the Milwaukee Brewers in exchange for prospect Chad Spanberger. The 24-year old Spanberger has impressed in his new digs with the Brewers notching five hits in nine at-bats thus far this spring.

The brain trust made it an offseason priority to add pitching depth so to avoid Charlie Montoyo using another 21 starters as he was forced to do in 2019. Anderson was penciled into the projected rotation immediately following the trade, however, Nate Pearson is waiting in the wings.

Pearson will begin the season in Triple-A Buffalo but eventually will make his debut this season especially if the Blue Jays are near the top of the division. When he comes up, Pearson will replace someone in the rotation.

As it stands now Anderson will be joined by Hyun-Jin Ryu, Matt Shoemaker, Tanner Roark and presumably Trent Thornton. Ryan Borucki is also anticipating a return to the rotation once he can build up strength in his wonky elbow. Borucki had an impressive rookie campaign in 2018 proving he is worthy of a rotation spot.

Again, it is still early and there is plenty of time for Anderson to right the ship but it is beginning to look like we may have a problem.