The Diamondbacks on Friday named Double-A Mobile pitcher Chase Anderson and Single-A Advanced Visalia infielder Brandon Drury the organization's minor league pitcher and player of the month, respectively, for April.
Anderson, a 26-year-old right-hander, went 3-2 with a 0.85 ERA and 31 strikeouts in five starts in April for the BayBears. He enters May carrying an active scoreless streak of 20 innings (April 20-present) after beginning his season with 12 2/3 shutout innings. Anderson, who currently ranks among Southern League leaders in ERA (second) and strikeouts (sixth), has not allowed a run after the second inning of any start. He earned Southern League Player of the Week honors for April 3-13 after throwing 12 shutout innings with just five total hits, two walks and 12 strikeouts in two starts.
In 2013, Anderson was tabbed by Baseball America as possessing the best changeup in the Arizona farm system. A native of Wichita Falls, Texas, he was drafted in the ninth round of the 2009 First-Year Player Draft out of the University of Oklahoma.
Drury, 21, hit .292 with six home runs, 25 RBI, 20 runs scored and 10 multi-hit games in 27 contests in April for the Rawhide. He ranked among minor league leaders in April with 16 extra-base hits (tied for fourth), 10 doubles (tied for seventh) and 60 total bases (tied for ninth). He also led the Rawhide in home runs and RBI during the month.
Drury entered the 2014 season rated as the D-backs' ninth-best prospect according to Baseball America and 13th-best according to MLB.com. In 2013, he led all minor leaguers in doubles with 51. The Grants Pass, Ore., native was acquired by the Diamondbacks as part of a 7-player trade with the Braves on Jan. 24, 2013 after being drafted by Atlanta in the 13th round of the 2010 First-Year Player Draft.
