Phils Notes: Matt Anderson demands attention

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Monday, February 28, 2011
Posted: 6:05 p.m.
By Jim SalisburyCSNPhilly.com
DUNEDIN, Fla.Want to excite a baseball man?

Show him a power arm or power bat.

Matt Anderson has a power arm, and he may have excited the Phillies brass a little Monday.

Remember Anderson? He was the Rice University kid with the triple-digit fastball who was selected first overall by Detroit in the 1997 draftone spot ahead of where the Phillies selected J.D. Drew.

Anderson spent six seasons in the Tigers bullpen before his career was derailed by an arm injury. He spent some time with Colorado in 2005 then meandered through the minors and independent ball for a few seasons before hanging up his spikes after 15 games with the White Sox triple-A club in 2008.

In his time away from baseball, Anderson stayed in shape and continued to throw, hoping for a chance. This winter, he auditioned in Arizona for Phillies scout Del Unser. Unser saw enough of the old fastball to recommend that the Phils bring Anderson to minor-league camp for a look-see. On Monday, the 34-year-old pitcher made the trip with the big club to Dunedin for a game against Toronto. He worked a perfect eighth inning with a strikeout. His fastball reached 96 mph according to scouts at the stadium.

It felt totally awesome to get out there, Anderson said. Ive been thinking about this for the last two years.

Anderson does not lack for confidence.

Theres still a 103 or 104 in there, he said. Im excited where Im at.

Anderson hasnt come to Florida looking to hook on with a Phillies minor league club.

My goal is to make this team out of camp, he said. I plan on doing everything I can to make that happen.

If performance doesnt win Anderson a spot with the club maybe flattery will. He said he signed with the Phillies because they are the best organization in baseball.

Manager Charlie Manuel liked what he saw of Anderson. Then again Manuel likes any pitcher who gets outs for his team.

He got em out, Manuel said. Well see some more of him.

Thats all Anderson can ask for at this point.
Eye on rightfield
Less than a week into camp, Ben Francisco continues to play as if hes intent on winning the right field job. He had another hit in Mondays 6-3 win over Toronto and is 4 for 7 with four RBIs in three games.

Meanwhile, Domonic Brown, the other main contestant for the rightfield job, has struggled in three games. He went hitless with a walk and two strikeouts Monday and is 0 for 9 with six strikeouts in three games.

Brown is attempting to make a significant adjustment in his swing. He has lowered his hands at the plate from above his head to about shoulder height. Browns hands were noticeably low on Sunday. On Monday they were higher. Clearly, he is searching for the right feel.

Domonic is OK. Hes all right. Hes just getting started, Manuel said. I think hes trying too hard and over-swinging. Today I told him to slow himself down and take it easy. Hes had nine at-bats. Ill be able to tell you more in 85 or 90 at-bats.
Extra bases
Roy Halladay opened Mondays game with two scoreless innings. J.C. Ramirez and Mike Stutes both followed with a pair of scoreless innings. Ramirez struck out four. Stutes struck out three.

The Phillies host Detroit on Tuesday. Cliff Lee makes his first start of the spring.

Related: Halladay faces former mates in first start of spring
E-mail Jim Salisbury at jsalisbury@comcastsportsnet.com

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