Hello Mr. Anderson

[Kalapse]

For those who were screaming for his head two weeks into the season, I'd agree that was panic. But here in mid-June, saying he may need to be sent down soon if he can't stay above .150, is pretty reasonable if you ask me.

I should have added the word "LATELY". Sorry. And its a few games, not one inning. But he was certainly looking quite good until late May or so (I missed the games the last week of May, though).

Well, I've seen every game this year and tend to pay close attention to his defense and all I can recall is the one game agains the Rangers where he really struggled in the OF. Even then he wasn't making horrible plays just brain cramps that he normally would not do. The guy barely plays every other day so it's not all that easy for him to get into any kind of groove in the OF or in the box but from what I've seen he's still been stellar in the OF excluding one game.

[henry wiggins]

For those who were screaming for his head two weeks into the season, I'd agree that was panic. But here in mid-June, saying he may need to be sent down soon if he can't stay above .150, is pretty reasonable if you ask me.

I should have added the word "LATELY". Sorry. And its a few games, not one inning. But he was certainly looking quite good until late May or so (I missed the games the last week of May, though).

 

I agree with you that the last couple of games he's been in, he's looked lost not only at the plate (ouch, THREE strikeouts last night?!) but in the field. I hope that his plate problems haven't carried over into the field; the only reason I think that might not be the case is that there has been a general air of suckiness in field play and defensive work lately for several players. It's like the team is in a fog of some kind. If that fog blows away and BA returns to being stellar in CF, then I would like to see him given more time to improve at the plate ... but I know it's unlikely that I'll get that wish.

 

I just see so much *potential* in him! It's so frustrating! Boy, he must feel like that times about a million, huh?

 

And the only reason I think it's "panic" is because there is no replacement who is likely to do an all-over better job right now. A trade could change that in a hurry, though...

Edited June 7, 2006 by henry wiggins

[BigSqwert]

and all I can recall is the one game agains the Rangers where he really struggled in the OF.

He made an awful dive for a ball last night where he had no chance. Luckily the ball bounced into the seats to prevent a run scoring triple.

[greasywheels121]

He made an awful dive for a ball last night where he had no chance. Luckily the ball bounced into the seats to prevent a run scoring triple.

 

Dye was right there. And Maggs would never have gotten a triple.

[BigSqwert]

Dye was right there. And Maggs would never have gotten a triple.

He still had no chance at it and did a full extended dive when it was not needed. And although Dye was in the picture you never know how the ball could have bounced off the wall. It would have been smarter to play it off the wall instead of trying to get up off the ground.

 

It almost seemed like a dive just for the sake of diving. Perhaps to somehow show that he's putting forth the extra effort, overcompensating for his offensive struggles.

Edited June 7, 2006 by BigSqwert

[Kalapse]

He still had no chance at it and did a full extended dive when it was not needed. And although Dye was in the picture you never know how the ball could have bounced off the wall. It would have been smarter to play it off the wall instead of trying to get up off the ground.

 

It almost seemed like a dive just for the sake of diving. Perhaps to somehow show that he's putting forth the extra effort, overcompensating for his offensive struggles.

Or maybe he just thought he had a chance if he gave it an all out full extention dive. I doubt there was any hidden agenda to an attempted diving catch.

[illinilaw08]

Or maybe he just thought he had a chance if he gave it an all out full extention dive. I doubt there was any hidden agenda to an attempted diving catch.

 

Runner on first, 2 outs, runner going on the pitch, if BA somehow makes the play, the inning is over, no runs score. If he doesnt dive, and plays it off the wall, the run scores, Mags is on 2nd. If he dives and does not make the play, worst case scenario is Mags is on 3rd with 2 outs. Mags would not have turned that into an inside the park HR. So tell me, if BA thinks there is a chance he can get that ball, why not make the play?

[Kalapse]

Runner on first, 2 outs, runner going on the pitch, if BA somehow makes the play, the inning is over, no runs score. If he doesnt dive, and plays it off the wall, the run scores, Mags is on 2nd. If he dives and does not make the play, worst case scenario is Mags is on 3rd with 2 outs. Mags would not have turned that into an inside the park HR. So tell me, if BA thinks there is a chance he can get that ball, why not make the play?

Dye was right there too, if that ball hits off he wall Dye picks it up and gets it in. Since it was hit so far into RF BA was able to try and make a play on it without having to worry about the ball kicking off the wall. He was not able to get there but the way the ball was slicing away from him I'm not surprised that he atleast attempted a dive, it's not always easy to tell exactly how far away from a ball you'll be after a dive.

[BigSqwert]

He looked as close to that ball on the dive (not very close) as Makowiak did on Barret's hit. Makowiak gets ripped for the play while BA gets a pass.

Edited June 7, 2006 by BigSqwert

[illinilaw08]

He looked as close to that ball on the dive (not very close) as Makowiak did on Barret's hit. Makowiak gets ripped for the play while BA gets a pass.

 

I thought it was the right decision by Mack as well and mentioned as such when I was at the game.

[Dick Allen]

He made an awful dive for a ball last night where he had no chance. Luckily the ball bounced into the seats to prevent a run scoring triple.

A run would have scored if the ball had stayed in the park and he didn't dive. It was very fortunate it was a ground rule double. It saved an easy run.

[mr_genius]

I've had about enough of brian anderson. the guy isn't ready to hit MLB pitching, it's obvious. the guy will be lucky to hit .170

 

[YASNY]

He looked as close to that ball on the dive (not very close) as Makowiak did on Barret's hit. Makowiak gets ripped for the play while BA gets a pass.

 

Mack didn't get ripped for the dive. He got ripped for the crappy route he took to get to the ball.

[RME JICO]

Trip to minors likely in the works for Anderson

June 8, 2006

BY JOE COWLEY Staff Reporter

 

Ozzie Guillen did his best last week to put off the inevitable, but now the White Sox manager sees rookie Brian Anderson entering a dangerous area.

 

So rather than permanently scar his Opening Day center fielder, Guillen said Wednesday that he might make a difficult decision before the weekend series against the Cleveland Indians to send Anderson down to the minor leagues.

 

"In the next couple of days, if there's no improvement, then we're getting to the point where we're going to hurt him,'' Guillen said. "We're going to hurt his confidence to play at the big-league level, and we can't do that if this kid is our future.

 

"I will make the decision after this series. I talked to [general manager Ken Williams] and had another talk with the coaching staff. It's more important to me to take care of Brian. The ballclub can handle things without him. I don't want him to start thinking, 'I don't belong here.' I'm more worried about him than if he can help my ballclub.''

 

As far as outfield prospects Jerry Owens or Ryan Sweeney getting a look, Guillen made it clear that neither is an option at this point -- not only because neither is ready, but also because both are left-handed hitters and Guillen already has a bench full of lefties.

 

"There are no options down there in center field,'' Guillen said. "If I'm going to do something, it's bring another pitcher up and take my chance with Rob Mackowiak [as the every-day center fielder].''

 

Williams, who has made a career out of flying under the radar, reportedly has inquired about the availability of Minnesota Twins center fielder Torii Hunter, but the current asking price is way too high.

 

"Everybody is interested in Torii,'' Guillen said. "But right now I don't think we're interested in him because, first of all, it sounds like he's going to cost a lot, and we don't know if we can sign him past this year. If we didn't have a center fielder for the future, then maybe Kenny would think about it. But right now we have a center fielder for the future.

 

"I don't think we're going to give up on Brian's future. To get Hunter, it's going to cost you a lot of players. I don't think Kenny Williams will do that. Everybody needs a player like him, but it won't be easy for us to do that right now.''

 

Mackowiak started in center again Wednesday as Guillen decided last week to go to a platoon situation in hopes of getting Anderson started.

 

An .069 batting average (2-for-29) over his last 17 games was not the response Guillen was hoping to see. For the season, Anderson is hitting .158 with four home runs and 12 RBI.

 

"I'm worried about him,'' Guillen said. "I'm worried about him being embarrassed. I worry about him feeling guilty. It's not easy when you are getting booed. It's not easy when you strike out. It's not easy when you're not performing like you were supposed to perform.

 

"I know there are a lot of things that are not easy for him. But I do think this kid is tough, and he's trying to block everything away the best he can. All I ask for is good at-bats.''

 

The frustrating thing is Anderson's batting-practice routine and swing mechanics are almost flawless.

 

"His battle is now right there between the white lines,'' hitting coach Greg Walker said. "First of all, anyone that says you shouldn't think when you're up there, that's not right. Paulie [Konerko] says it all the time: You think, but you think about the right things. Right now Brian is making bad decisions on balls he's swinging at. He's pressing.

 

"Ever since they announced that he was going to be our guy, I knew he would have a battle. I went through it. Every young guy goes through it.''

 

http://www.suntimes.com/output/sox/cst-spt-brian08.html

Edited June 8, 2006 by RME JICO

[NorthSideSox72]

OK, I'm going to throw an idea out here for CF. Might be a little nuts. But worth a shot.

 

Does anyone think Cintron could play CF?

[Kalapse]

No

[greasywheels121]

OK, I'm going to throw an idea out here for CF. Might be a little nuts. But worth a shot.

 

Does anyone think Cintron could play CF?

 

You were watching BBTN, weren't you?

[Dick Allen]

As bad as Anderson has been, the bigger problem with the White Sox is it now appears as if Montero is going to see the mound in crucial situations. He escaped yesterday with a hit and a near homer in 2/3 of an inning. McCarthy will be the primary set-up guy, but I heard Ozzie last night, and he doesn't want to use him too much.

[NorthSideSox72]

You were watching BBTN, weren't you?

No, I don't even know what BBTN stands for. Is that Baseball Tonight? Didn't see it. Did someone on ESPN suggest it?

[greasywheels121]

No, I don't even know what BBTN stands for. Is that Baseball Tonight? Didn't see it. Did someone on ESPN suggest it?

 

Harold Reynolds foolishly said that Cintron is filling that black hole the Sox have in CF. It was a nice mistake on his part.

[NorthSideSox72]

Harold Reynolds foolishly said that Cintron is filling that black hole the Sox have in CF. It was a nice mistake on his part.

Oh, he thought Cintron already WAS the centerfielder? That guy is a dolt.

[YASNY]

Harold Reynolds foolishly said that Cintron is filling that black hole the Sox have in CF. It was a nice mistake on his part.

 

Apparently, he got the black holes confused and meant shortstop.

[RockRaines]

Just please give him a chance against RHP before we send him down.

[NorthSideSox72]

Just please give him a chance against RHP before we send him down.

He has had more ABs against RHP (62) than LHP (58). Not a huge sample size by any means, though. Honestly, i think his struggles are not mechanical as much as mental. I am not sure what facing more RHP's will do.

[Kalapse]

He has had more ABs against RHP (62) than LHP (58). Not a huge sample size by any means, though. Honestly, i think his struggles are not mechanical as much as mental. I am not sure what facing more RHP's will do.

That number is a bit sqewed however, a very large portion of those ABs came at the beginning of the year when he was playing most every day regardless of the pitcher. Since he's been platooning with Mackowiak he's been playing almost exclusively against lefties.