Is Tim Anderson Ready?

[Rowand44]

Because you want to do what is best for Anderson and the franchise on a long term basis. Releasing a useful player, and slotting a young one in the middle of a pennant race who has a history of struggling to start off each level with high strikeouts and no walks isn't a recipe for success for either Anderson or the White Sox today. Bring him up in September, where you can mix and match his ABs in better situations, and then if he wins the job in spring training, let him get his real struggles out of the way in April, with a lot less attention on him.

I just don't see the logic in this. I think we all agree that Anderson is going to struggle initially so why hold back the process? If we plan on contending next year, it's going to be the same thing next April as it is now.

 

To me, he's the Sox best option to be a useful ss this year and he's proven to have the mental capability to survive some struggles. Bring him up and let him adjust against the best competition out there.

Edited May 26, 2016 by Rowand44

[Y2Jimmy0]

I think we are going to see Anderson a lot quicker than some do.

 

 

I agree. I actually think he may be in the lineup on the next homestand when Washington comes to town.

[southsider2k5]

I just don't see the logic in this. I think we all agree that Anderson is going to struggle initially so why hold back the process? If we plan on contending next year, it's going to be the same thing next April as it is now.

 

To me, he's the Sox best option to be a useful ss this year and he's proven to have the mental capability to survive some struggles to bring him up and let him adjust against the best competition out there.

 

So it doesn't hurt the team and him now. Why would you want to replace a guy who sucks, with a guy who will probably suck more?

[Special K]

I think we are going to see Anderson a lot quicker than some do.

 

Agreed. This whole situation stinks like Kenny Williams.

[Rowand44]

So it doesn't hurt the team and him now. Why would you want to replace a guy who sucks, with a guy who will probably suck more?

Because I don't see it hurting him or the team. There's a chance he sucks for a month/month and a half and tears in up the 2nd half of the season. Do I know if that's going to happen? Of course not, but I think there's a better chance of that happening then there is of Saladino or Rollins really helping the team as a starting ss. And like I said, I think if anything this just helps speed up the Anderson development, I don't think it hurts it at all. Either way, we're going to have to deal with the initial Anderson struggles at some point so I don't see the difference between now and next April.

[southsider2k5]

Because I don't see it hurting him or the team. There's a chance he sucks for a month/month and a half and tears in up the 2nd half of the season. Do I know if that's going to happen? Of course not, but I think there's a better chance of that happening then there is of Saladino or Rollins really helping the team as a starting ss. And like I said, I think if anything this just helps speed up the Anderson development, I don't think it hurts it at all. Either way, we're going to have to deal with the initial Anderson struggles at some point so I don't see the difference between now and next April.

 

I honestly don't think he is ready for major league pitching. We have seen the price of rushing kids before they are ready all too well. Even besides those two, a guy like Avi Garica fits in that boat as well.

[gosoxgo2005]

So it doesn't hurt the team and him now. Why would you want to replace a guy who sucks, with a guy who will probably suck more?

 

That's exactly my point. We all know Rollins sucks. Anderson, should he be called up (purely hypothetical at this point, obviously) might not suck. There's a chance he does, but also a CHANCE he doesn't.

 

Accepting the status quo (Rollins) is not going to help this team. Anderson at least could.

 

 

 

[southsider2k5]

That's exactly my point. We all know Rollins sucks. Anderson, should he be called up (purely hypothetical at this point, obviously) might not suck. There's a chance he does, but also a CHANCE he doesn't.

 

Accepting the status quo (Rollins) is not going to help this team. Anderson at least could.

 

Nothing in Anderson's history tells me that he will be better than Rollins if he were called up right now. In fact everything in his history shows the opposite. The theorhetical chance you refer to isn't equal. The chance he will struggle upon call up are MUCH higher than not.

[Y2Jimmy0]

Nothing in Anderson's history tells me that he will be better than Rollins if he were called up right now. In fact everything in his history shows the opposite. The theorhetical chance you refer to isn't equal. The chance he will struggle upon call up are MUCH higher than not.

 

 

I think he;d perform better than .600 OPS. I agree that that doesn't make it the right time though.

[gosoxgo2005]

Nothing in Anderson's history tells me that he will be better than Rollins if he were called up right now. In fact everything in his history shows the opposite. The theorhetical chance you refer to isn't equal. The chance he will struggle upon call up are MUCH higher than not.

 

I understand it isn't equal. I'm more or less playing devil's advocate here as well; though I have a gut feeling Anderson will be called up sooner than later, I still think Sally is the best option at SS for the time being. They still need a 2-hitter, but Saladino in the 9 hole with his + defense and base running is not a bad option right now.

 

My ideal lineup with current roster construction:

 

Eaton RF

Abreu 1b

Cabrera LF

Frazier 3b

Lawrie 2b

Garcia (puke) DH

Catcher (puke)

Jackson CF

Saladino SS

 

 

[Chisoxfn]

I just don't see the logic in this. I think we all agree that Anderson is going to struggle initially so why hold back the process? If we plan on contending next year, it's going to be the same thing next April as it is now.

 

To me, he's the Sox best option to be a useful ss this year and he's proven to have the mental capability to survive some struggles. Bring him up and let him adjust against the best competition out there.

The only reason I wouldn't bring Timmy up is if I thought he just wasn't prepared defensively for the level. I'm not worried about the bat, I think he can adapt at this level. If the defense is to the point that it passes here, than I think it makes sense and the Sox will move pretty quickly. Personally I think Saladino is good enough that he allows you some patience. Damn would it be nice to have somehow swapped Trayce with someone else in the Frazier deal. How nice would that OF look with Melky at DH.

[ptatc]

It's been awhile since I read The Book by Tom Tango, and unfortunately most of what was written in it can't be found on the web. But I believe the general rule of thumb is that each lineup slot receives an extra 18 PA per year. In the grand scheme of things, that's not a big deal. But this is something that's entirely in Robin's control. An extra win that could be gained from batting someone like Abreu or Lawrie in the #2 spot compared to Rollins/Saladino/Sanchez could be the difference between them making the playoffs and not. Again, batting order isn't the be all end all. It's not the difference between 95 wins and 81. But it makes a difference on the margins, and the Sox aren't good enough to turn down opportunities to improve themselves on the margins.

I agree that they will bat more. However, I'm not convinced that will lead to more runs within games due to the" lost inning" of having all of the worst hitters in a row. If you space out the probably outs of the bad hitters throughout the lineup, they have a lesser chance to disrupt the inning.

On the other side, if they put all of the good hitters together there is a better chance of scoring there but almost no chance of scoring when the bad innings comes around.

[ptatc]

4% more

Right. Decimal in the wrong place.

[ptatc]

That's exactly my point. We all know Rollins sucks. Anderson, should he be called up (purely hypothetical at this point, obviously) might not suck. There's a chance he does, but also a CHANCE he doesn't.

 

Accepting the status quo (Rollins) is not going to help this team. Anderson at least could.

I t could also ruin him as a prospect if he isn't ready. He should have more than a couple weeks of success at AAA before they bring him up.

[gosoxgo2005]

I t could also ruin him as a prospect if he isn't ready. He should have more than a couple weeks of success at AAA before they bring him up.

 

Please elaborate.

[NorthSideSox72]

So, some folks wanted him up for Opening Day. Then when he struggled - predictably - in his first month or so of action in AAA, some people were ready to jump ship.

 

I wrote this back at the beginning of May.

 

Now, he's made adjustments and is tearing it up. While I certainly expected this would likely happen, I must admit it happened faster than I thought. I still think though, the best thing is to wait until the 2nd half at least. As hot as he's been, it's 3 weeks of hot hitting. Too much risk at this point that it's still just a hot hand, and not being fully there. If he still looks good in July, we talk.

 

[ptatc]

Please elaborate.

Self explanatory. Rushing prospects can be a detriment to their development or even their overall future as an MLB player.

[Boopa1219]

Who says Tim Anderson can't finish developing at the Major Leauge level? He can do just that and still be better than both Rollins and Saladino.

 

I would call him up for the June 7h game against the Narionals.

[gosoxgo2005]

Self explanatory. Rushing prospects can be a detriment to their development or even their overall future as an MLB player.

 

When would he be considered not rushed then? He has 1300 MiLB at bats. 1400? 1500? Beckham had about 230 MiLB at bats. THAT is rushing a prospect.

 

Again, I'm not advocating for him to be called up at this very moment. If he's hitting .330 in 2 weeks and the Sox are still getting s*** production from half the lineup, then I probably will be.

 

All that said, it's fun have a prospect so hot that we're having this debate even

[gosoxgo2005]

Also, Jim Callis just said quote, "The White Sox are realistic contenders in the AL Central, and they should enhance their chances by making Tim Anderson their starting shortstop today."

 

Take that FWIW (nothing)

[southsider2k5]

When would he be considered not rushed then? He has 1300 MiLB at bats. 1400? 1500? Beckham had about 230 MiLB at bats. THAT is rushing a prospect.

 

Again, I'm not advocating for him to be called up at this very moment. If he's hitting .330 in 2 weeks and the Sox are still getting s*** production from half the lineup, then I probably will be.

 

All that said, it's fun have a prospect so hot that we're having this debate even

 

And what happened to Gordon Beckham anyway? That is the exact point.

[Black_Jack29]

Anderson would (probably) be a defensive upgrade over Rollins, but a defensive downgrade from Saladino. And I'm not convinced that he would hit that much better than either of them. Given that and the fact that Anderson's probably not ready, I don't see the point.

 

[Chisoxfn]

And what happened to Gordon Beckham anyway? That is the exact point.

From what I've heard about Beckham, he probably fails either way. Didn't have the mental fortitude. Not comfortable in his own skin. To some extent, similarities to what I had long heard about Konerko, just nowhere near the quick hands Paulie had (and when I say mental fortitude, it is more the continuous self doubt that drove an inability to sustain swing plans and mechanics). For Paulie it was more just his excessiveness that he was so hard on himself that it caused him to consistently tinker and ultimately have negative impacts on him (which he eventually got more comfortable and obviously he had a darn good career).

[lostfan]

I don't think Anderson = Beckham though. Anderson has been in the minors for long enough to where that comparison is basically moot. He can't be rushed like Beckham because he's played more than less than half a season's worth of games.

[lostfan]

From what I've heard about Beckham, he probably fails either way. Didn't have the mental fortitude. Not comfortable in his own skin. To some extent, similarities to what I had long heard about Konerko, just nowhere near the quick hands Paulie had (and when I say mental fortitude, it is more the continuous self doubt that drove an inability to sustain swing plans and mechanics). For Paulie it was more just his excessiveness that he was so hard on himself that it caused him to consistently tinker and ultimately have negative impacts on him (which he eventually got more comfortable and obviously he had a darn good career).

I remember an article posted on here from 2009 talking about how Beckham was constantly asking the coaches if he was doing enough, if he was doing something wrong, he wasn't sure he was ready, etc. just a never-ending spiral of self-doubt that ate him up.