Rockies Sign 1st Round Pick Tyler Anderson With $1.4 Million Bonus

As expected, the Colorado Rockies have agreed to terms with their first round selection from the 2011 MLB Draft, Oregon junior left handed pitcher Tyler Anderson.

Anderson had been considered an easy sign, but it appears that momentum towards an early slot deal had slowed, leading to the deadline agreement with a bonus of $1.4million, right around the MLB recommended slot for that draft position.

The lefty is considered a polished college pitcher and should start next season with the Modesto Nuts, with a quick promotion to AA Tulsa in the works based on his performance. He could project to debut in the major leagues as soon as 2013.

This past season in the Pac-10, the Oregon pitcher showed advanced skills on the mound as he struck out 114 batters in just 107.2 innings. He has a good fastball and plus changeup with above average command, and projects as a mid-rotation starter in the major leagues. Former Rockies pitcher and first round selection Jeff Francis profiles as a similar pitcher, and another successful lefty that advanced quickly through the minor leagues.

Anderson will join a list of advanced pitching prospects that could make the Rockies' rotation in the next couple of seasons, including recent acquisitions Alex White and Drew Pomeranz, and recent high draft picks Christian Friedrich and Chad Bettis.  

Colorado Rockies, Tyler Anderson Expected To Reach Agreement Before Monday Deadline

The 2011 MLB Draft has been over for more than two months and the deadline for teams to sign their players is less than 24 hours away. The Colorado Rockies are one team still looking to sign their first-round pick. With the 20th overall selection, the Rockies went with a solid but unspectacular choice in Tyler Anderson, a left-handed pitcher out of Oregon.

At the time, Anderson appeared on his way to being a quick sign, but whatever progress there was on that stalled and now the Rockies are out to sign the pitcher before the midnight deadline on Monday. Troy Renck of the Denver Post believes Anderson's contract will include a signing bonus of $1.7 million, slightly above slot for the No. 20 overall pick.

Early impressions of Anderson had him pegged as similar to former Rockies pitcher Jeff Francis, and if those projections are true the Rockies did nab a decent pitcher. He'd be able to fill the No. 3 or No. 4 spot in the rotation, just as Francis was before he was vaulted into being a No. 2 starter for the team.

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2011 MLB Draft Results: Tyler Anderson Goes To Rockies At No. 20

After all of the mock drafts and the rumors, the Colorado Rockies settled on Oregon Ducks LHP Tyler Anderson. Utah's C.J. Cron went No. 17 to the Los Angeles Angels, eliminating one potential Rockies pick. They passed on UNC's Levi Michael and Hawaii's Kolten Wong for the college pitcher.

He was the No. 1 rated prospect for the state of Oregon by Baseball America. He's a 6-foot-4, 215-pound lefty who owns the University of Oregon's all-time strikeout record. He throws a two- and four-seam fastball, both sitting in the low-90s. A slider, a curveball occasionally and a changeup round out his repertoire. He's not going to wow many people, but he has the "feel" for pitching that many scouts like to use.

The Rockies have one more pick on Monday night, the 45th overall pick as compensation for Octavio Dotel

Stay tuned to this StoryStream  throughout the day for more updates on the draft, including last-minute mock drafts, Rockies draft history and more. Visit Purple Row for more on the Rockies.