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Chicago White Sox: Tim Anderson is one elite shortstop

By Vincent Parise

OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 30: Tim Anderson #7 of the Chicago White Sox throws off balance to first base but not in time to get Chad Pinder #18 of the Oakland Athletics during the first inning of Game Two of the American League Wild Card Round at RingCentral Coliseum on September 30, 2020 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 30: Tim Anderson #7 of the Chicago White Sox throws off balance to first base but not in time to get Chad Pinder #18 of the Oakland Athletics during the first inning of Game Two of the American League Wild Card Round at RingCentral Coliseum on September 30, 2020 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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The Chicago White Sox are so lucky to have Tim Anderson play for them.

The Chicago White Sox are lucky to have Tim Anderson in the mix. He has been a great player for them for a few years now and he keeps getting better. He is a superstar and one of the clear faces of the organization. You can make a claim that after his MVP-level 2020 season, he is one of the best shortstops in all of Major League Baseball. The hope for the White Sox is that he can continue this run that he is on and help them win a lot.

Anderson is part of the bigger picture that is being built on the South Side with a bunch of younger players. The fact that he is one of the veterans says a lot about where this team is going. He has players surrounding him like Yoan Moncada, Luis Robert, Eloy Jimenez, and Lucas Giolito and it is a lot of fun to watch. What makes Anderson special is the fact that he is a true leader.

He can be the guy who is on the billboards, doing the interviews, and representing the White Sox in any league-wide events. It is one thing to be a great baseball player but it is another to combine that talent with some of the little things that are needed both on and off the field. The amount of attention that Anderson helps bring to the White Sox can’t be recreated by just any player. You have to have it in you.

As far as Anderson’s on the field game, it starts and ends with his bat. He won the batting title in 2019 because he led all of baseball in batting average. He followed it up in 2020 by coming in second place for the award in the American League. He has a “see the ball, hit the ball” approach which clearly works for him so hopefully, he keeps doing it. His batting average will continue to be right near the top and his power is only getting more dangerous as the years go along.

Anderson was awful defensively in 2019. He committed a lot of errors but it was sort of swept under the rug because of his elite offensive season. Well, going into 2020, he made sure to do something about it. He isn’t a Gold Glove winner or anything yet but he was wildly improved from the year prior. The improvement there along with his awesome bat led to him coming in 7th place for the AL MVP.

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As good as Anderson has been, he isn’t done yet. There are more personal accolades to achieve, along with more team success. Anderson helped lead the White Sox to the playoffs for the first time in 12 years so that was nice. The next step is the World Series. Seeing him win that trophy with his teammates would be truly special so hopefully, it happens sooner than later.

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