White Sox shortstop having tough second season in MLB. The 23-year-old infielder leads MLB in errors at shortstop, has struggled at plate recently.
Chicago White Sox shortstop Tim Anderson is having a tough second MLB season. The young infielder has struggled at the plate and on defense this season for the Sox. After committing his MLB leading 19th error on Saturday, Anderson’s defense has taken a turn for the worst in 2017.
The Sox gave Anderson a six-year $25 million extension before the start of this season in a signal that he was their shortstop of the future. Although Anderson excelled in his first MLB season, he’s failed to capitalize on a strong rookie campaign.
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Anderson is currently hitting .242/.267/.361 with seven home runs and 24 RBIs through Sunday. The 23-year-old shortstop has 80 strikeouts at the plate through 285 at-bats for a 28 percent strikeout rate. Anderson has just nine walks, but also has five stolen bases. With Anderson’s high propensity to strikeout, he hasn’t been able to get on base as frequently as he did last season.
In 2016, Anderson finished the season hitting .283/.306/.432 with nine home and 30 RBIs through 99 games. Although Anderson had 117 strikeouts, he was able to hit his way on base more frequently thanks to his 116 hits in 410 at-bats. Anderson also committed just 14 errors in 97 games started at shortstop.
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While Anderson is struggling this season, there’s still hope the 2013 first round draft pick can turn his 2017 campaign around. Anderson will be one of the cornerstones of the Sox rebuild, but he will need to improve offensively and defensively. The Sox won’t necessarily build a team around Anderson, but he can become one of many bright young stars on the South Side.