Top pitching prospect Kade Anderson delivered a flawless performance on Friday night, throwing five perfect innings with seven strikeouts to lead the Double-A Arkansas Travelers to an 8-0 shutout victory over the Tulsa Drillers at Dickey-Stephens Park.
The 22-year-old left-hander lowered his season ERA to 1.27 and WHIP to 0.64 in his first Double-A start since July 3.
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He needed just 56 pitches to complete his outing, not allowing a single baserunner.
Anderson was efficient from the start, needing only nine pitches in the first inning and six in the second.
He capped his night by striking out the side in the fifth.
Pitching coach Cameron Ming praised Anderson's growth and competitive drive after the game.
"He likes to be coached, he likes to be challenged. Any great competitor like that is never really satisfied with where their craft is at," Ming said.
"But after a performance like that, I'm at a loss on what I'll have to teach on my end."
Ming acknowledged the challenge of finding areas for improvement after such a flawless outing.
"Someone's gonna have to help me figure out what we're gonna have to work on this week," Ming added.
Ming also highlighted Anderson's improved changeup against right-handed hitters as a key factor.
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"His execution of his changeup against righties has really come along and been a neutralizer for him," Ming explained.
