Last year three foreign pitchers who dominated the KBO League moved to the major leagues at once, but fortunes have diverged.
Cody Ponce (32·Toronto Blue Jays), who led the Hanwha Eagles to the Korean Series, and Ryan Weiss (29·Houston Astros) are not currently in the major leagues. Ponce tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee during defense in his first appearance. He underwent surgery after just one game and suffered the tragedy of being out for the season. Weiss, who realized his dream of a big league debut at 29, did not enjoy the thrill for long. He was demoted to Triple-A after struggling to a 7.62 ERA with 3 losses in 9 games (2 starts). He collapsed from control problems, issuing 20 walks in 26 innings.
Right-hander Drew Anderson (32·Detroit Tigers), a former SSG Landers player who received less attention than the two pitchers, remains the only survivor among the "reverse-export trio" in the major leagues. Anderson started against the Cleveland Guardians in a home game at Comerica Park in Detroit, Michigan, on the 21st (all times KST), and boosted his presence with a strong outing of 4⅔ innings, 2 hits, 2 walks, 7 strikeouts and no runs.
In his first start of the season, Anderson struck out Cleveland slugger José Ramírez consecutively. After striking out on a low inside changeup in the first inning and shaking his head, Ramírez struck out again in the third on a high fastball that missed the bat. Anderson dominated the Cleveland lineup, recording a personal-best seven strikeouts through two outs in the fifth inning.
Anderson, who showed signs of tiring after issuing two walks in the fifth inning, was replaced after 63 pitches. He mixed a four-seam fastball (32) averaging 94.8 mph (152.6 km/h) with a max of 96.4 mph (155.1 km/h), a changeup (16), a curveball (10) and a slider (5). The pitches themselves were so effective that he allowed no hard contact.
In interviews with local media including MLive, Anderson said, "I threw strikes and did the best I could. Manager A.J. Hinch wanted me to eat up as many innings as possible, and 4⅔ innings was all I could give."
Detroit manager A.J. Hinch praised him, saying, "Anderson was really terrific. He showed everything he could and more. He pitched efficiently when we needed to save the bullpen," and "We brought him in as a starter but asked him to take on a different role. He wanted to come back here and leave a good impression, and it took him a little time to find his rhythm, timing and confidence at this level, but he's doing well."
Anderson, who earned recognition for his two years of performance in Korea and signed a guaranteed 1+1 year, $7 million contract with Detroit, up to $17 million, was originally expected to be a starter but was pushed into relief duty by the additions of free agents Framber Valdez and Justin Verlander. He struggled with a 5.82 ERA over 10 games (17 innings) in March and April, but settled down in May with a 1.84 ERA over 6 games (14⅔ innings). His season totals are 16 games (1 start·31⅔ innings), 1-1 with 1 save, 3 holds, a 3.98 ERA and 38 strikeouts.
Anderson, who successfully made his first major league start in five years since his Texas Rangers appearance on Aug. 8, 2021, against the Oakland Athletics (2 innings, 5 earned runs, loss), said, "It didn't go well then, but I've definitely matured. I'm bigger and stronger than I was then. I throw the ball harder and throw more strikes," and added, "I'm confident in throwing strikes, and if I can throw strikes with multiple pitches, I can produce good results."
Detroit is accelerating the returns of Verlander (hip) and Troy Melton (elbow), who are out with injuries, as they take part in simulation games and Single-A rehab outings. Although Anderson may have to give up a starting spot, with his current stuff he could be even more effective in the bullpen. Early-season struggles prompted some to suggest he might return to Korea, but that seems unlikely.
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