Anderson plans to keep leaning on bread-and-butter changeup

TEMPE, Ariz. -- Angels lefty Tyler Anderson is confident that the changes he made heading into his breakout season last year will translate into more success this season.

Anderson had plenty to prove heading into last season after signing a one-year deal with the Dodgers, and he responded by being named an All-Star for the first time in his career. He went 15-5 with a 2.57 ERA, 138 strikeouts and 34 walks in 178 2/3 innings, which helped him secure a three-year, $39 million contract with the Angels this past offseason.

Anderson said his improved changeup was key to his success last year and that he has a great feel for the pitch this season, including in his spring debut on Friday in the Angels' 2-2 tie with the Dodgers. He threw two scoreless innings and said his changeup was again effective despite not having his best stuff.

“I got a few outs with it today without really throwing a good fastball,” Anderson said. “A good fastball in a good location sets it up even better. But I think it’s going to be similar [to last year]. Overall, it helped me in a lot of counts [in ‘22]. But in general, it just felt like I had better stamina last year and kind of had my legs under me a little bit more to kind of stay strong.”

Anderson said he kept the same offseason routine as he did heading into last year, as he felt it kept him healthy throughout the 2022 season. He said the biggest change this season is the pitch timer, but he didn’t have any issues with it on Friday.

“For me, it was really just a chance to go out and pitch with the clock,” Anderson said. “I didn't feel rushed. I definitely felt like I was paying a lot of attention to the clock. You want to get to the point, and I'm sure we'll get there in the next couple of games, where it feels like it's second nature, where you kind of just have a feel for what that clock is.”

Anderson also continues to mix up his arm slot to keep hitters off-balance, and he said he’s been doing it over the last three seasons. He previously only used it against lefties but now utilizes it against right-handers as well. Anderson also has some funk in his delivery and he’s hard to square up, as he was in the 98th percentile in average exit velocity against last year, per Statcast.

“I don’t really make the ball go arm side,” Anderson said. “So it really started as a way to get lefties and get in on their hands a little bit and crowd them. From there, it kind of evolved against lefties and righties. I did it as a kid and it’s the same thing. But it’s something I try to sprinkle in and not really live off.”

Angels manager Phil Nevin has liked what he’s seen from Anderson, especially in the clubhouse. Anderson is a routine-orientated pitcher who plans his pregame preparations down to the minute, and Nevin believes others can learn from him.

“The leadership qualities really stand out to me so far,” Nevin said. “He’s a guy who has done this for many years.”

Nevin exchanges lineup card with son Kyle
Nevin participated in a cool moment before Friday’s game against the Dodgers, as he exchanged the lineup card with his son, Kyle, who is a Minor Leaguer in the Dodgers’ organization.

Kyle Nevin, 21, was an 11th-round Draft pick out of Baylor University in 2022 and is in Minor League camp, but the Dodgers brought him along to Tempe Diablo Stadium so he could be part of the lineup exchange. Nevin’s other son, Tyler, is an infielder in the Tigers’ organization and is competing for a spot on Detroit’s Opening Day roster.

“It’s cool,” Nevin said. “I guess I always expected it with Tyler, but this time it was a little different. This is more fresh with Kyle. It was neat.”

Estévez struggles again, but Nevin not worried
Reliever Carlos Estévez, who is competing to be the club’s closer, has had trouble with his control early this spring. He recorded just one out against the Dodgers and walked four, allowing two runs. He’s walked six batters while allowing five runs and recording just two outs this spring.

“He just hasn’t faced that many hitters and is working on some new stuff,” Nevin said. “I’m not worried about him at all. We’ll keep running him out there and by Opening Day he’ll be ready.”