The No. 1 prospect of the Chicago White Sox Tim Anderson is batting over .300 entering Tuesday’s game, so after 64 games played in Double-A this season, when can we expect a promotion for the shortstop?
Right now it is most likely the shortstop isn’t ready for the big leagues, but for Anderson he seems to have a hold on the Double-A level, having a .313 season average with a .414 slugging percentage and .751 OPS. His on-base percentage is .337 in 268 at-bats.
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For Anderson, here are his complete ’15 numbers with the Barons (before game on June 23):
• Batting Average: .313
• Hits: 84
• Total Bases: 114
• Doubles: 14
• Triples: 5
• Home runs: 1
• RBIs: 28
• Walks: 9
• Strikeouts: 58
• Steals: 23
For his career in the minors (since being a first round pick in 2013), Anderson has a career .298 average with a .762 OPS.
That being said, Anderson in his past 10 games is batting .390 in 41 at-bats with 16 hits, five runs, six RBIs, two walks and two stolen bases. In his most recent game on June 21, Anderson was 3-for-5 with two runs.
In his last five games, Anderson is 11-for-21 with four runs and five RBIs. In those games his average has went from .298 to the current .313 average.
Last season Anderson played 68 games at the Advanced Single-A level, five games with the Rookie League White Sox and 10 games with the Barons. Maybe he’s getting near the point of the season where the White Sox decide to move him up a level to see what he can do against Triple-A pitching.
Looking at the shortstop for the Knights, Tyler Saladino in 36 games has a .259 average in 135 at-bats with 35 hits, 21 runs, 15 RBIs and two home runs. He’s also built a .370 slugging percentage, .333 on-base percentage and a .704 OPS.
Feb 28, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; Chicago White Sox infielder Tyler Saladino poses for a portrait during photo day at Camelback Ranch. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
In his past 10 games, Saladino has raised his average from .243 to .259, as he’s batted .314 in those games.
In the aforementioned 10 games, the Triple-A shortstop has tallied 11 hits, eight runs and five RBIs. He’s also drawn four walks and struck out just three times in 35 at-bats.
Saladino is the No. 16 prospect in the White Sox organization.
With Anderson and Saladino it seems the White Sox have the replacement for Alexei Ramirez once the White Sox make a decision on the veteran this season or into the offseason.
Ramirez thus far in ’15 with the major league club is batting .227 with 58 hits, 19 runs and 26 RBIs in 255 at-bats (68 games). Ramirez’s on-base percentage is .249 and his OPS in ’15 sits at .547, and compared to years past his defense isn’t what it once was.
Whatever the White Sox do, it would be nice to see what Anderson could do at the Triple-A level for a good period of time in ’15, though they would have to do it in a way where it wouldn’t stunt the progress of Saladino as well.
This is a good problem for the club to have, because most likely one of those two players will be at the MLB level on Opening Day 2016 with the White Sox. Though a lot can happen between now and when it will be the right time for the shortstops to play at the majors for an extended amount of time. Who knows, maybe Anderson won’t even play shortstop in the majors, as he could also play in the outfield according to his scouting report.
Keep an eye on Anderson though, he’ll be a household name for the White Sox down the road.
Next: Tuesday: White Sox Morning BP