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
Most everyone in sports deserves a second chance, and that is what former Chicago White Sox first-round draft choice Brian Anderson now has.
This is most likely be his second and final opportunity with the White Sox. From being a highly touted first-round pick in 2003 to eventually ending up playing in the Independent Leagues, Anderson has the opportunity to have a storybook ending with the White Sox.
For Anderson, he was supposed to be the next great centerfielder for the White Sox to start the ’06 season, but he just never panned out at the MLB level as a hitter, so after going to the Boston Red Sox, he eventually went back to the minors and became a pitcher.
An article on whitesox.com talks about how Anderson is no longer a pitcher and will play in the outfield once again:
"“Now Anderson has returned to the outfield, where he always could catch the baseball as well as anyone. He feels in a better position, both offensively and maturity-wise, after admittedly not handling the Major League experience as well as he could have the first time around.”"
I’m happy for Anderson because he’s continued to battle for a roster spot back in baseball. Even with all his miscues the first trip around, he now knows nothing will be handed to him this time around.
Whatever Anderson gets this time around he’ll earn, because nothing is guaranteed with his current contract with the organization.
When he was with the White Sox Anderson batted .225 in ’06 in 134 games where he struck out 90 times with 33 RBIs and eight home runs.
From there, he batted .118 in ’07 in 13 games, then he followed that with a .232 average in 109 games in ’08. From there in ’09, Anderson batted .238 in 65 games.
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For his MLB career, Anderson has a .227 average with 22 home runs, 80 RBIs and 208 strikeouts.
It would be nice to see Anderson just earn a spot in Charlotte and work on his career this upcoming season, and by the time September rolls around see where he and the White Sox stand and go from there.
If not, it is just interesting to see Anderson is still chasing the goal of returning back to professional baseball at the highest level possible, and for that alone, we can’t knock a guy for trying to regain and use the talent which got him to the majors in the first place.