Rookies: Q&A With Anderson and Williams

The Anderson File
Position	RHP
Years at OU	2008-09
Drafted	2009 9th Round (ARI)
MLB Debut	May 11, 2014 (ARI)
2014 Stats	9-7, 4.01 ERA, 105 Ks

The Williams File
Position	Catcher
Years at OU	2005-07
Drafted	2007 1st Round (SFG)
MLB Debut	August 27, 2014 (COL)
2014 Stats	.214, 1 HR, 3 RBI (7 games)

On Saturday night, former Sooner baseball players Chase Anderson and Jackson Williams will be recognized as the team's honorees at the 12th annual Diamond Dinner.

Anderson, a right-handed pitcher with OU from 2008-09, made the jump from AA to the majors last season and became just the third pitcher to win each of his first five starts since 1998. He finished the season with a 9-7 record and ranked 10th in National League Rookie of the Year voting. For the former first round pick, Williams, who played at OU from 2005-07, earned a brief cup of coffee with the Rockies in June before being recalled for his debut in August. He hit his first career home run against the Padres on September 7. Williams was selected off waivers by the Angels in October and will be reunited with former OU teammate Garrett Richards in Los Angeles.

What do you remember most about your time at OU?

Jackson Williams | Catcher | Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

We had a great group of guys. Even our last year, we didn't get a chance to play in the postseason, but we always had a great time. I remember the games, but more than anything it's the guys. We got to build those friendships and enjoy the time we had together in college.

Chase Anderson | Pitcher | Arizona Diamondbacks

I grew up wanting to go to a big school to play baseball. I was a big Texas fan growing up. They recruited me, but I didn't think it was going to be a good fit there. Oklahoma was a great time. It was one of the best towns and atmospheres to play in. I had some ups and downs, but other than that, my experience was really good. It taught me a lot about myself and helping me with the next steps of my life. I wanted to be a starter, but looking back now, being a reliever kind of saved my arm. I'm very grateful for those two years at OU with how to balance your time.

How would you describe the jump from college ball to the pros?

Williams: It's definitely a longer season. The one thing that was hard for me to grasp a hold of, was almost backing off a little bit. You've got to pace yourself a little bit more. You're playing every single day. The off days are few and far between. If you try to go out there and play the way that you do in college, you're going to wear yourself out real fast. You've got to pace yourself and last that entire season.

Anderson: Going on to the minors was definitely a big jump. I got drafted on June 6, 2009 out of Oklahoma and then spent two months in Missoula, Montana. It was an adjustment being really far from home. I guess I did kind of like the experience though. I was never home sick. In 2010, I went to South Bend, Indiana, which was an awesome town. In 2011, I went to Visalia, California and hurt my elbow, which put a damper on things. I spent that year rehabbing my arm in Arizona. It was difficult. You're out there on your own trying to get back and get healthy. Two thousand and twelve was probably the best year of my minor league career in Double-A. I did really well that year. It was a crazy year too. My dad passed March 19, 2012. After that season, I got put on the 40-man roster. Having that success and knowing my dad passed away, kept me humble and even-keeled. Being sent back after Triple-A to Double-A made me re-commit my life to the Lord. After that, I put up six starts in Mobile and got called up on May 6 to the major leagues.

What's it like crossing paths with other former Sooners in the pros?

Williams: There were a few years with the Giants where I played with Ryan Rohlinger after having played with him at OU. I've played against a few guys that I went to school with or they were there after I was there. I can relate with them. I've been up against Garrett Richards and Joe Dunigan. You always have that sense of comradery whether we played together or not. Once you're a Sooner, you're always a Sooner.

Anderson: We had a lot of guys drafted in 2009. (South Bend) We never crossed paths, but I've kept up with most of the guys in my draft class. My first year in rookie ball, I played against Garrett Richards and J.T. Wise. We've always had a strong draft class come out of Oklahoma.

What are some of the biggest challenges in your career?

Williams: It's different in the respect that you've got to be your own coach. It's a business and it's your career and nobody is really going to look out for your career as much as you do yourself. You've got to speak up when you've got something on your mind. At the college level, it's a lot more of a team atmosphere. It's not like that in the minor leagues. Everybody wants to win, but each individual wants to do well to get where they want to go. You've got to make that effort to be a part of the team. You've got to have that within yourself to make it happen. That's one thing that I had to do and it made me play better.

Anderson: From having the struggles in 2013 in AAA, really helped me go to AA. I pretty much dominated that first month in Mobile. The MLBs are the best players in the world and I knew I had to. The struggle of the past year helped me to not fear playing bad. I was fully healthy last year. I was able to handle the ups and downs of the Major League season.

How would you best describe your first Major League experience?

Williams: It was awesome. I tried to soak it in as much as I could. It has been a little bit longer of a journey than I would like it to be. I am just thankful to get the opportunity. You can't control that kind of stuff. I just wanted to be there and be a part of the team and do anything I could to help the team win. When I got that first start in San Francisco, it was awesome. Making my debut against my old organization was cool. Some of those guys, I came up with and I knew most of them. It was something that I'll never forget.

Anderson: It was a ton of emotion. As a kid you dream of that day and then when it finally comes, you can't put it into words. I'm so happy. My dream came true and I get to live it out and play in the Major Leagues. Knowing my dad is in heaven shining down on me. He sacrificed so many things for me, but the work he put in at a young age with me is pretty incredible.

University of Oklahoma Athletics

Rookies: Q&A With Anderson and Williams

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