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Ben Anderson drafted by Texas Rangers

Right-handed pitcher selected in 13th round

Ben Anderson, selected in the 13th round of the Major League Baseball draft by the Texas Rangers, was named America East Pitcher of the Year. He went 9-4 with a 2.76 ERA in 2019. Ben Anderson, selected in the 13th round of the Major League Baseball draft by the Texas Rangers, was named America East Pitcher of the Year. He went 9-4 with a 2.76 ERA in 2019.
Ben Anderson, selected in the 13th round of the Major League Baseball draft by the Texas Rangers, was named America East Pitcher of the Year. He went 9-4 with a 2.76 ERA in 2019. Image Credit: Jonathan Cohen.
By John Hartrick
June 06, 2019

Binghamton University junior right-handed pitcher Ben Anderson got the call early on Day 3 of the Major League Baseball Amateur Draft and will begin his professional career with Texas. The Rangers took Anderson in the 13th round (385th pick of draft - out of 1,217 total) on June 6.

Anderson becomes Binghamton University’s ninth MLB Draft selection in the last eight years and the fourth Bearcat pitcher taken in the last four years. He is the 15th player in program history taken and is Binghamton University’s highest pitching selection in the last seven years.

“I’m excited to start this new journey and owe a lot to the players and coaches of Binghamton University for where I am today,” Anderson said.

He was watched by at least a half-dozen MLB scouts throughout the 2019 season, adding pressure to each start. Anderson was originally drafted in the 26th round by Toronto as a senior in high school before deciding to come to Binghamton and pitch under former MLB draft pick and six-time America East Coach of the Year Tim Sinicki.

At Binghamton, Anderson worked out of the bullpen his first two seasons before moving into a starting role in 2019. He finishes his collegiate career with 13 wins and a 2.61 ERA in 40 appearances (137.2 IP). That career ERA is the lowest in Binghamton University history.

“I’m very excited for Ben and his family for this opportunity,” Sinicki said. “He’s worked extremely hard the last three years to develop and put himself in this position. The Texas Rangers have a very talented pitcher joining their organization and even a better young man.”

Anderson produced a record-breaking season in 2019, going 9-4 with 108 strikeouts and a 2.76 ERA in 88 innings. His 11.05 strikeouts per nine innings ranks as the highest average in the 30-year history of the America East and his strikeout total was the third-highest in conference history. He broke school records for wins and strikeouts and was named America East Pitcher of the Year and first team all-conference. America East batters hit just .189 off him.

In his final outing as a Bearcat, Anderson delivered a masterful nine-inning complete game as Binghamton University beat Hartford 2-1 in its opening round of the America East tournament on May 22. In that game, he scattered six hits (all singles) and one earned run before Binghamton University won it on a ninth-inning walkoff.

He ranks fourth in the nation in complete games (4), 28th in victories and 41st in strikeouts.

Anderson, the first America East player selected in the 40-round draft, will join twin brother Ian in the professional ranks. Like Ben, Ian was drafted as a high school senior pitcher (third overall pick in 2016 by the Atlanta Braves).

The Bearcats (26-24) were 2019 America East runners-up after winning three tournament games as the host school.

Posted in: Athletics