Texas Rangers Reliever Grant Anderson Historic in MLB Debut
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Descriptors such as “special” and “poise” and “impressive” and “history” were used after Grant Anderson’s grand entrance into Major League Baseball with the Texas Rangers.
For the 25-year-old Texan, it’s just a start. A memorable one at that.
“The first thing is, it’ll give me confidence in the next outing,” Anderson said, according to MLB.com. “Obviously after you realize you can get outs here, [against] some of the best in the world, it just helps you with confidence for the next one.
“As far as memories go, it’s definitely up there. My parents worked really hard to raise us, and I just know that they’re really proud of it. I think that’s what means the most today.”
Anderson’s parents, wife and siblings were in attendance Tuesday night at Comerica Park, as the rookie right-hander burst onto the scene in a flurry of strikeouts. Anderson faced nine hitters, got eight outs and struck out seven, including the first four MLB batters faced, in the Rangers’ 10-6 victory over the Detroit Tigers.
The native of Port Arthur in southeast Texas also claimed the win in relief of Martín Pérez, who had a rare subpar start. Anderson is the first pitcher in franchise history to strike out at least seven batters coming out of the bullpen in his MLB debut.
He also got the postgame water-cooler bath reserved for the hero of the game.
“It was pretty impressive,” catcher Jonah Heim said. “Just to be able to do that, even on your debut, is impressive. To be able to calm the nerves down – even to be able to throw a strike is tough to do. I remember the feeling in my debut, so I can’t imagine what he’s feeling right now.”
Heim noticed nerves when Anderson first took the mound and offered some pretty straightforward advice.
“Just told him to throw it and see what happens,” Heim said. “The rest is history.”
The last Rangers to strike out the first four batters faced was Neftali Feliz in 2009. Anderson is one of three pitchers ever to go at least two scoreless innings, strike out at least seven and get the win in their MLB debuts.
But as interesting as the footnotes are, the Rangers just wanted a get a win Tuesday. Texas was up just 7-6 when Anderson stepped on the mound.
“In all my years, I can’t think of a better debut than what he did,” manager Bruce Bochy said. “One-run ballgame, came in with the tying run on second base. He got eight outs, seven strikeouts. So impressive. That kid had so much poise out there. He really gave up what we needed.”
Heim was impressed by Anderson’s arsenal – four-seam, two-seam, slider and split – and ability to hide pitches.
“It’s kinda of tough for hitters to pick a pitch to try to hit,” Heim said. “When he can mix them all and he’s throwing them all for strikes, it’s a pretty special combination.”
Anderson, called up Monday from Triple-A Round Rock, had been dominant in the minor leagues this season. For at least one outing in the Bigs, he was dominant there, too.
“I’ve got to give a lot of credit to Jonah, he called the pitches,” Anderson said. “He kind of helped guide me through that way. I just wanted to execute, and the results ended up being really good. I’m really happy and excited about that. I’m just overall blessed.”
The Rangers (35-19) finish off a nine-game road trip looking for a sweep against the Tigers. Dane Dunning (4-0, 1.67) is back from paternity leave and gets the start, with first pitch scheduled for 12:10 p.m. CT.
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