Colorado Rockies: Tyler Anderson’s outing a reminder to us about spring

Scottsdale, Arizona — Tyler Anderson has proven himself to be on the forefront of self-learning with his now-famous color-coded notebook that is updated before, during and after Colorado Rockies games, win or lose. That constant learning and self-evaluation is one of the reasons why manager Bud Black slipped him a compliment and all of us a reminder on Saturday.

Sure, Tyler Anderson‘s last outing on Friday was anything but impressive in the box score as he allowed four runs in two frames as the Colorado Rockies dropped a 6-3 decision to Oakland. However, as we’ve heard so often and must also remind ourselves during these early March games, there is more to spring training than just statistics and outcomes … and the stats fans see rarely translate over into exactly what they can expect in the regular season.

Such is the case with Anderson, Bud Black says. Check out his quote on Anderson, who came in in relief of Jon Gray on Friday, below.

"“Anderson, one of his many strengths is that he’s such a great competitor,” Black told the media members assembled inside his office on Saturday morning. “I don’t like to say this a lot, but in season, he sort of turns it up a notch. He’s competing out here but he also works on a lot of things and tinkers on some things in spring training that other guys might not. I have to give him a little credit for that. He knows the difference between spring training and in season and he sort of has that dial. I give him a little bit more leeway with that.”"

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Coming off an up-and-down but healthy regular season, the 29-year-old southpaw shined in Colorado’s October loss to the Milwaukee Brewers in the National League Division Series, scattering four hits and allowing just one run in six innings of work. He will be counted upon to shore up the back end of a Colorado rotation led by Kyle Freeland and German Marquez … but has some question marks after that.

Rockies fans are hopeful that when Anderson “turns up that dial” in his 2019 regular-season debut, it will help Colorado grab a win in either Miami or Tampa (depending on where he draws the start in Colorado’s first two series of the season).

Before any or all of us get too worked up with spring numbers, let’s remember what spring training really is … a chance for players to prepare for the long season ahead. Plenty of players are tinkering with their craft and trying new things. Our advice? Try not to overreact when something may not go just right. Take the spring’s exhibition games for just what they are … exhibition games.