Nick Anderson Bio
Nicholas Paul Anderson (born July 5, 1990) is an American professional baseball pitcher. He is currently in the Athletics organization after signing a minor league contract in November 2025. Across his Major League Baseball (MLB) career, Anderson has pitched for the Miami Marlins, Tampa Bay Rays, Atlanta Braves, Kansas City Royals, and Colorado Rockies.
A late-inning reliever, Anderson first reached the majors in 2019 and is best known for his dominant 2020 season with the Rays, when he helped the club reach the World Series. He was named to the All-MLB First Team that year.
Early Life and Background
Anderson grew up in Minnesota and attended Brainerd High School in Brainerd, where he played baseball before moving on to the college ranks. He began his college career at St. Cloud State University in St. Cloud, Minnesota, spending three seasons with the Huskies from 2009 through 2011. During that stretch, he also played summer baseball in 2010 for the Brainerd Lakes Area Lunkers of the Northwoods League.
Looking for a fresh start, Anderson transferred to Mayville State University in Mayville, North Dakota, for his senior season in 2012. In 12 appearances that year, including 11 starts, he went 5–2 with a 1.95 ERA and was named the Dakota Athletic Conference pitcher of the year, a performance that helped put him on professional scouts’ radar.
Path to Professional Baseball
The Milwaukee Brewers selected Anderson in the 32nd round of the 2012 MLB draft, but he chose not to sign. Instead, he spent the next three seasons pitching in the independent Frontier League, suiting up for the Rockford RiverHawks and later the Rockford Aviators in 2012 and 2013, and for the Frontier Greys in 2015.
On August 7, 2015, the Minnesota Twins purchased Anderson’s contract, beginning his climb through the affiliated minor leagues. He worked his way up through Single-A Cedar Rapids, High-A Fort Myers, the Double-A Chattanooga Lookouts, and the Triple-A Rochester Red Wings, posting strong strikeout and save totals at every stop.
Nick Anderson Career
Miami Marlins (2019)
On November 20, 2018, the Twins traded Anderson to the Miami Marlins in exchange for Brian Schales, and the Marlins added him to their 40-man roster. He made the club’s 2019 Opening Day roster and debuted on March 28, 2019, against the Colorado Rockies, retiring the only batter he faced.
Anderson picked up his first major league win on May 21 in an 11-inning game against the Detroit Tigers, striking out a career-high five batters over the final two innings. By the end of July, he had appeared in 45 games with 69 strikeouts in 43⅔ innings for the Marlins.
Tampa Bay Rays (2019–2022)
On July 31, 2019, Anderson was traded to the Tampa Bay Rays along with Trevor Richards in a deal for Jesús Sánchez and Ryne Stanek. After the trade, he posted a 2.11 ERA with 41 strikeouts in 21⅓ innings, was named to the Baseball America All-Rookie team, and won the Dick Siebert Award given by Minnesota baseball writers.
In the shortened 2020 season, Anderson went 2–1 with six saves and a 0.55 ERA in 16⅓ innings over 19 games. During the postseason, he made seven consecutive appearances while allowing only one run, an MLB record, as the Rays made their second World Series appearance. He was named to the All-MLB First Team that offseason.
Anderson’s 2021 season was cut short by a partial tear of his elbow ligament. He was activated in September and posted a 4.50 ERA in six appearances before undergoing right elbow surgery in October to repair his ulnar collateral ligament with an internal brace. He returned briefly in 2022, signed an $845,000 contract to avoid arbitration, and was placed on outright waivers in November, becoming a free agent.
Atlanta Braves (2023)
On November 11, 2022, Anderson signed a one-year, non-guaranteed split contract with the Atlanta Braves. He was optioned to the Triple-A Gwinnett Stripers to open 2023, but after it was revealed that Raisel Iglesias would begin the year on the injured list, the Braves added Anderson to their Opening Day bullpen.
He posted a 3.06 ERA with 36 strikeouts over 35 games before a right shoulder strain sent him to the 60-day injured list on July 13, 2023.
Kansas City Royals (2023–2024)
On November 17, 2023, the Braves traded Anderson to the Kansas City Royals for cash considerations. In 37 relief outings, he went 3–1 with one save and a 4.04 ERA, striking out 29 over 35⅔ innings.
The Royals designated him for assignment on July 13, 2024, after acquiring Hunter Harvey, and released him on July 18.
Colorado Rockies (2025)
After short stints in the Baltimore Orioles and Los Angeles Dodgers systems in 2024 and a brief stay with the St. Louis Cardinals in early 2025, Anderson signed a minor league deal with the Colorado Rockies on May 30, 2025. The Rockies selected his contract on July 25, and he appeared in 12 games, posting a 6.14 ERA with 10 strikeouts in 14⅔ innings before electing free agency on August 29.
Athletics (2025)
Following a quick stop in the Seattle Mariners organization, Anderson signed a minor league contract with the Athletics on November 12, 2025.
Notable Events and Milestones
Anderson’s most celebrated moment came during the 2020 postseason, when he set an MLB record with seven consecutive postseason appearances while allowing only a single run, helping lead the Rays to the World Series. He was also a 2020 All-MLB First Team selection and won the Dick Siebert Award in 2019 as the top player from the Upper Midwest.
Nick Anderson Family
Personal Life
In 2010, while attending St. Cloud State University, Anderson received a drunken driving charge. In 2011, he was sentenced to eight days in jail on an assault charge involving a baseball bat and alcohol, after which he was placed on probation and completed mandatory Alcoholics Anonymous and anger management classes.
2025 Season Performance
Anderson’s 2025 campaign was a journey through multiple organizations. He signed a minor league deal with the St. Louis Cardinals in February and was released on May 30 after struggling to a 6.20 ERA in 20⅓ innings at Triple-A Memphis.
He caught on with the Colorado Rockies later that same day, was promoted to the majors in late July, and struggled to a 6.14 ERA across 12 appearances before electing free agency in late August. A brief stint with the Seattle Mariners’ Triple-A affiliate in Tacoma followed, where he posted a 1–0 record and 3.18 ERA across six outings before electing free agency again in November.
Looking ahead, Anderson signed a minor league contract with the Athletics on November 12, 2025, giving him a chance to compete for a bullpen role in 2026.