Drew Anderson Returns From KBO, Ready for Tigers Comeback

This article takes a look at the unusual professional detour that brought Drew Anderson back to the Detroit Tigers after two seasons in South Korea. Once a fringe big-league arm searching for opportunity, Anderson reinvented himself overseas.

He came back as a dominant starter, with a refined arsenal and a new level of confidence. His guaranteed contract now reflects just how far he’s come.

Drew Anderson’s Unlikely Road Back to Detroit

Baseball careers almost never follow a straight line. Anderson’s journey makes that pretty clear.

Two years ago, he sat on the edges of the Tigers’ pitching depth chart—intriguing, but unproven. Now, after conquering the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO), he returns as a polished starter.

From Grapefruit League Promise to a Leap Overseas

Anderson first caught Detroit’s eye during a lively 2024 Spring Training. His raw stuff played well against big-league hitters.

That momentum carried over into Triple-A Toledo, where he struck out 16 batters in 14 innings out of the bullpen. Despite those flashes, Anderson’s role felt uncertain.

He didn’t want to remain a depth reliever. When a KBO offer came, the 31-year-old lefty saw a real shot at something better—a starter’s routine, and the innings he needed to figure things out.

Dominating the KBO with the SSG Landers

Anderson didn’t waste time showing he’d made the right move. Joining the SSG Landers, he quickly became one of the league’s steadiest arms.

Year One: Establishing Credibility

In his first KBO season, Anderson put up an 11–3 record with a 3.89 ERA and struck out 158 hitters across 115 2/3 innings. That workload alone was a big step forward—he finally found some consistency.

His confidence grew with every start. Facing lineups multiple times forced him to sharpen his sequencing and really trust his off-speed stuff.

Year Two: A Full Transformation

The second season was a true breakout. Anderson took things up a notch, finishing 12–7 with a 2.25 ERA and racking up an eye-popping 245 strikeouts in 171 2/3 innings.

He added a kick-change, a nasty new secondary pitch. That pitch neutralized right-handed hitters and sent his strikeout rate soaring.

Chasing KBO History

Anderson’s dominance nearly landed him in the KBO record books. He finished just seven strikeouts shy of Cody Ponce’s single-season record.

Strikeout Rates That Turned Heads

He didn’t quite reach the raw total, but his strikeouts per nine innings edged past Ponce’s. That kind of efficiency made people back in MLB take notice.

Staying Connected to the Tigers

Anderson never really lost touch with Detroit during his time overseas. Keeping those lines open ended up being pretty important.

A Relationship That Smoothed the Reunion

He kept in regular contact with Tigers folks, including Mud Hens pitching coach Doug Bochtler. When Anderson felt ready to return, those relationships helped him land a one-year, $7 million guaranteed contract.

A Growing MLB Trend

The Tigers see Anderson’s journey as part of a bigger shift in how modern pitchers develop. It’s a trend that’s hard to ignore.

Asia as a Finishing School for Pitchers

Detroit thinks leagues like the KBO can really help pitchers who are open to change. Anderson’s journey backs that up, showing how playing overseas can totally shift a career’s direction.

• More innings and defined roles
• Chance to work on new pitches
• Fresh confidence facing pro hitters

For Drew Anderson and the Tigers, this reunion isn’t just about a contract. It’s about growth, patience, and sometimes just taking the long road home.

 
Here is the source article for this story: After stunning KBO tour, Anderson amped for shot with Tigers