Milwaukee Brewers: What To Do With Chase Anderson?

Chase Anderson got the start in a very important game against the Reds on Tuesday night, and took a crucial loss for the Milwaukee Brewers.

Anderson allowed a first inning home run to Jose Peraza and that ended up being everything the Reds needed to get the victory. The issues with home runs have plagued Anderson once again.

The Reds were hitting Chase hard all night long until they finally chased him out of the game in the fourth inning. He wasn’t really helping himself by throwing numerous fastballs literally down the middle of the plate.

It’s no wonder he gets rocked all around the ballpark. When you leave pitches in spots like that, no matter how fast they are, they’re going to get hit hard.

These issues have plagued Anderson all season long, and it’s the main reason why he’s allowed 30 home runs this season, which leads the National League. Anderson is an extreme fly ball pitcher, and he’s leaving too many fastballs down the middle in a hitter-friendly park. It’s a recipe for disaster.

Anderson’s Home-Road Splits

Unsurprisingly, Anderson is much better when he’s not pitching in Miller Park. He has a 4.92 ERA at home this year, where he’s allowed 22 of his 30 home runs given up. On the road, Anderson owns a 2.74 ERA with only eight home runs allowed.

He also allowed the majority of his home runs last season at Miller Park, but the totals were lower due to his uncharacteristically and unsustainably low home run/fly ball percentage. This year, it’s kicked back up to similar numbers from previously in his career.

What To Do With Anderson?

It’s clear the Brewers can’t trust Anderson to pitch at Miller Park the rest of this season. Should the team make it to an NLDS, if Anderson is allowed to make a start at all, it should be when the Milwaukee Brewers are on the road.

Anderson signed a contract extension last offseason, which now looks like a bad idea after his struggles this season at home. Luckily, only two years of it were guaranteed and the last two years were options. He’s under contract for next season for a total of $6.5 million. That’s low enough where it isn’t a burden to keep him, but it also isn’t a burden to unload him to a different team.

The Milwaukee Brewers would be wise to explore trade opportunities for Chase Anderson this winter as a change of scenery candidate. He’s an extreme fly ball pitcher in a hitter’s park. He needs some place with a larger outfield that’s more pitcher friendly.

With Corbin Burnes and Freddy Peralta entering the rotation, Jimmy Nelson returning, Jhoulys Chacin coming back, and a potential free agent acquisition this winter, Anderson’s spot in next year’s rotation is not guaranteed.

2017 is looking like a fluke season for Anderson and not a sign that he’s becoming one of the better pitchers in the game. Limiting the damage he can have the rest of this season and moving him in the offseason seems like the smart move for David Stearns.

The Milwaukee Brewers simply need more from their starting rotation, and Chase Anderson isn’t providing it. The offense could have done more, but his home run issues put the team at a disadvantage every time.