Tim Anderson Adding Excitement for White Sox Offense
White Sox rookie shortstop has four extra base hits in six games since being called up from Class AAA Charlotte on June 10
When the White Sox officially announced the promotion of their 2013 first round pick (17th overall) Tim Anderson on June 6 from Class AA Charlotte, general manager Rick Hahn quickly suggested that the shortstop wasn’t arriving as the team’s savior.
Nearly one week later, and Anderson has already given the White Sox an immediate boost on offense with six hits in his last three games. Anderson began his White Sox career hitting in the ninth spot and had two hits, including a double in his MLB debut.
After going hitless in his next two games, manager Robin Ventura inserted Anderson in the leadoff spot as he was a leadoff hitter with Charlotte this season. Since the move to leadoff hitter, Anderson has three extra base hits, including his first MLB triple in a 5-3 White Sox victory on Wednesday against the Detroit Tigers. Anderson also scored three of the team’s five runs on Wednesday night.
Adam Eaton has since been moved to the second spot in the order and has had better results at the plate. Since Monday, Eaton has eight hits in 17 plate appearances, including a walk-off single in an improbable 10-9 comeback victory over the Tigers. Eaton was struggling before hitting second, as he was hitless in the team’s previous weekend series against the Kansas City Royals.
Ventura, stated the young rookie shortstop has been fun to watch during his first week according to whitesox.com.
"“You know, he’s fun to watch when he gets it going. As soon as he puts it in play, you like watching him run. He’s had great at-bats. He looks really comfortable — he just seems to be hitting everything hard and nothing looks out of control. I think that’s part of why he’s here. We felt he was ready to go and he’s brought a spark.”"
The White Sox were in dire need of any spark on offense, and Anderson has not only provided that spark but the team appears headed in the right direction after a series victory over the Tigers. With a Royals victory over the Cleveland Indians on Wednesday, the White Sox are 2.5 games behind first place and sit at 33-33 after a 23-10 start to begin the season.
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Anderson will struggle at some point this season as opposing pitchers figure out his weaknesses at the plate thanks to advance scouting, but he has shown the ability to make adjustments to adversity throughout his career in the minors. He will have to make the same adjustments at the major league level as the season progresses. If he can continue to have success, however, the White Sox could have a good homegrown position player.