White Sox prospect Tim Anderson batting over .300 in AFL
Apr 5, 2014; Kansas City, MO, USA; A general view of a Chicago White Sox players glove and hat before a game against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports
I believe the Chicago White Sox will give some serious consideration to shortstop prospect Tim Anderson this offseason for the fact he’s playing consistently well in the Arizona Fall League.
Thus far, through 17 games this fall, Anderson (a first-round pick for the White Sox in 2013) is batting over .300 at .304 with 21 hits in 17 games. In that span of time (69 at-bats), he has 21 hits, including four doubles and two home runs.
Anderson, who batted .301 in three MiLB stops this past season, has eight RBIs and four stolen bases in his AFL time. The SS, who mostly bats in the No. 2 spot with the Glendale Desert Dogs this fall, has a .333 on-base percentage and a .449 slugging percentage.
I believe this fall for Anderson just increases his overall value to the White Sox organization. Sure, he’s not facing the likes of Felix Hernandez, Max Scherzer or Justin Verlander this fall, but everyone has to start somewhere, and Anderson is facing some very tough young competition in this fall league season.
Being just 21 years old, Anderson has plenty of time to develop into a top player not only in the minors, but even with the White Sox when the time comes.
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He’s played at every MiLB level except Triple-A, which I believe is his next step once spring training arrives. Once he gets some time in Charlotte with the Knights and proves he is the first-round talent they drafted him to be, I can see Anderson ending up with the MLB club sometime in 2015.
In the minors, not only did he bat .301 overall, but in 10 games with the Birmingham Barons, he batted .364 with 16 hits (3 doubles, 1 home run) in 44 at-bats. Anderson also had seven RBIs in that span.
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The question now is, if he continues to turn heads this fall, then does well in spring training, will he be able to make the Opening Day roster of the White Sox?
I believe it is a long shot for him to make the Opening Day roster, but it might be a possibility for him if the White Sox were to make a move this offseason that would involve current shortstop Alexei Ramirez.
That is just a thought, but eventually Anderson will be ready for the White Sox, so it is never too early to think about the possibilities he can bring to the ball club in 2015 or beyond.