Chicago White Sox shortstop Tim Anderson has been on a tear this year, culminating in him being named AL Player of the Month for April.
This just in…Chicago White Sox shortstop, Tim Anderson, was named the American League player of the month for his performance in the month of April. This is good news for Anderson, the White Sox organization, and Southside fans everywhere. Anderson posted a .365 batting average, 1.009 OPS, and an AL-leading 10 stolen bases among several other noteworthy indicators.
While the ChiSox have been playing sub-par to mediocre baseball thus far this season, Anderson has been a ray of light, sparking an energy infusion into a ball club that most certainly needs it. Since the MLB season has started, he’s been a headline-grabbing machine with his now infamous bat flip against the Kansas City Royals a few weeks ago, as well as his recent comment stating that he feels he is today’s, Jackie Robinson.
Let’s face it…baseball needs Tim Anderson and players like him. Attendance is down across the league and what better way to ignite a little excitement among the fan base than to allow, if not encourage players like Tim Anderson to display some raw emotion while they play the game. There are worse things in baseball…believe me.
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Things haven’t always come so easy for the budding star shortstop on the Southside. By his own admission, the last couple of seasons were not indicative of the potential, drive, and talent that he possesses. Sure there were signs or flashes of brilliance, but it was sparse and inconsistent at best.
Thus far this season it would appear that he is now putting everything together on a consistent basis, from his approach at the plate to his glove in the infield. He also seems to be rubbing off on his teammates with his infectious attitude and work ethic.
Anderson is must-see baseball these days and he’s only going to get better with time. If he continues this level of play, it should result in his first MLB All-Star game nod, as well as other honors. One could argue that he’s the front runner for the MVP award, though it is a little early. While the Sox certainly aren’t performing at the level of their division rivals, the Minnesota Twins, they are certainly competing thanks in large part to Anderson’s presence and production in the lineup.
Opposing pitcher’s and managers have to account for his ability to get on base, as well as advance on the base path. There are very few players that can match his speed and baserunning ability. If things continue to go well, the White Sox may have a future superstar on their hands. No one saw that coming based off of last year’s performance.
While the recent news of Carlos Rodon’s injury will be a blow to many of the Sox faithful, Anderson provides a reason to tune into White Sox baseball and he just may play well enough to help keep things interesting on the Southside.
With Jose Abreu’s bat heating up, James McCann playing inspired baseball, and Yoan Moncada playing much more consistently than he had last year, the ChiSox may be a couple of pitchers (hello Dallas Keuchel?) away from making things interesting this season, if not next. Until then, sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride…one bat flip at a time.