The Rangers have inked right-handed pitchers Shaun Anderson and Collin Wiles to minor league contracts, according to the team’s transactions log on MLB.com. Both hurlers have been designated to Triple-A Round Rock.
For Anderson, 29, this represents his second stint with the Rangers organization. Initially acquired via waivers from the Twins in 2021, his time with the team was short-lived, as he was later designated for assignment and claimed by the Orioles.
Originally a third-round selection by the Red Sox, Anderson has appeared in parts of four major league seasons, accumulating 135 2/3 innings with a less-than-stellar 5.84 ERA. His underlying metrics, such as FIP and SIERA, aren’t much more encouraging, standing at 5.00 and 5.24, respectively. Despite an average fastball velocity of 93 mph, the 6’6” Anderson possesses notable extension and spin rates, occasionally resulting in above-average swinging-strike rates. However, his inconsistency in generating strikeouts is evident with a career 17.1% strikeout rate, while he has walked 9.9% of batters faced at the big league level.
After starting the 2023 season in the KBO with the Kia Tigers, Anderson returned to the Triple-A level with the Phillies, posting a 4.85 ERA across 52 innings, with decreased strikeout and ground-ball rates. In total, he boasts a 3.90 ERA, 20.5% strikeout rate, and 7.7% walk rate over 249 Triple-A innings.
Wiles, also 29, made his MLB debut with the A’s in 2022 but has only pitched 9 2/3 innings at the highest level. In that limited time, he surrendered five earned runs on 11 hits and two walks while striking out nine batters. Signing this minor league deal sees him return to the team that drafted him 53rd overall in 2012, after spending the entirety of his minor league career with the Rangers until departing as a free agent and joining the A’s.
Across ten minor league seasons, Wiles hasn’t showcased standout numbers in terms of run prevention (career 4.57 ERA) or strikeout rates (17%). However, he possesses strong command, evident from a career 5.3% walk rate that has actually improved as he progressed through the minors (4.8% walk rate in both Double-A and Triple-A). Following a minor league deal with the Brewers in the 2022-23 offseason, Wiles underwent shoulder surgery and missed the entirety of the 2023 season.