Today, Ozzie Guillen made some comments about Tim Anderson’s fielding ability, saying he is unsure whether or not Tim can succeed at Shortstop.
Tim Anderson needs more experience, not sure he is the shortstop of future for @whitesox I've texted some people let them know my thoughts on him, reminds me of Shawon Dunston says @OzzieGuillen he'd be better in the O.F.
— Mully And Hanley (@mullyhanley) May 31, 2018
Ozzie does have a point. Tim Anderson has struggled and has not been the defensive presence Sox fans thought he would be, but it’s still not to late to turn it around. As of today, Tim ranks first in the MLB in errors committed by the shortstop with 10. And with a .954% fielding percentage, he is towards the bottom of the list of everyday shortstops.
Ozzie says Tim needs more experience, and what a better time than right now to get that experience. The White Sox aren’t going to win anything this year and it’s the perfect time to let him get his reps and learn from his mistakes. If you are an avid White Sox fan and you watch every game you see that Tim has the potential to become a defensive force at the shortstop position. Anderson can make the flashy plays but it seems like he commits errors on the routine plays by over thinking it.
Now, the man Ozzie related Tim Anderson too. Shawon Dunston. Here are some fielding stats from his first four years in the league with the Chicago Cubs.
| Year | Age | Tm | Pos | Lg | G | GS | CG | Inn | Ch | PO | A | E | DP | Fld% | Rtot | Rtot/yr | RF/9 | RF/G | lgFld% | lgRF9 | lgRFG | Awards |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | 22 | CHC | SS | NL | 73 | 71 | 55 | 599.2 | 409 | 144 | 248 | 17 | 39 | .958 | 0 | 0 | 5.88 | 5.37 | .963 | 4.88 | 4.88 | |
| 1986 | 23 | CHC | SS | NL | 149 | 148 | 137 | 1312.2 | 817 | 320 | 465 | 32 | 96 | .961 | -4 | -3 | 5.38 | 5.27 | .963 | 4.75 | 4.76 | |
| 1987 | 24 | CHC | SS | NL | 94 | 92 | 81 | 805.0 | 445 | 160 | 271 | 14 | 54 | .969 | -5 | -8 | 4.82 | 4.59 | .965 | 4.72 | 4.69 | |
| 1988 | 25 | CHC | SS | NL | 151 | 150 | 131 | 1288.2 | 732 | 257 | 455 | 20 | 76 | .973 | -6 | -6 | 4.97 | 4.72 | .967 | 4.63 | 4.64 | AS |
As you can see above, Dunston’s first three years in the league he struggled, committing a ton of errors and having a lackluster fielding percentage. Though through those first three years, his fielding percentage went up and he improved by earning himself an All-Star nod in 1988. The point is, the Cubs let the man play his game and he started to improve with time, and as Ozzie said experience.
| Year | Age | Tm | Pos | Lg | G | GS | CG | Inn | Ch | PO | A | E | DP | Fld% | Rtot | Rdrs | Rtot/yr | Rdrs/yr | RF/9 | RF/G | lgFld% | lgRF9 | lgRFG | Awards |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 23 | CHW | SS | AL | 98 | 97 | 96 | 859.2 | 400 | 142 | 244 | 14 | 50 | .965 | 1 | 6 | 2 | 8 | 4.04 | 3.94 | .976 | 4.17 | 4.13 | RoY-7 |
| 2017 | 24 | CHW | SS | AL | 145 | 145 | 143 | 1264.0 | 588 | 197 | 363 | 28 | 85 | .952 | -13 | -8 | -12 | -8 | 3.99 | 3.86 | .975 | 4.09 | 4.04 | |
| 2018 | 25 | CHW | SS | AL | 51 | 51 | 51 | 450.0 | 218 | 77 | 131 | 10 | 29 | .954 | -3 | 0 | -8 | 0 | 4.16 | 4.08 | .972 | 3.81 | 3.80 |
Above is Tim Anderson’s career numbers. Similar to Dunston, Tims numbers are improving this year, at least fielding percentage wise. Tim is currently on pace to have 24 errors which would be down from last year but still isn’t what he or any White Sox fans want.
The last topic to talk about is that Ozzie said Tim would be better in the outfield. Well, this just doesn’t make sense, especially if you want Tim Anderson to be with the team long-term. Down in the minors, the White Sox have elite outfielders waiting to be called up and prove their worth.
Just to name a few of them:
Eloy Jimenez, Luis Robert, Blake Rutheford, Micker Adolfo, and Ryan Cordell.
Though Tim is having shortcomings on the defensive side of the ball, his bat is alive and better than ever.
| 2018 | 25 | CHW | AL | 52 | 207 | 189 | 28 | 47 | 6 | 1 | 11 | 20 | 12 | 1 | 17 | 49 | .249 | .311 | .466 | .776 | 113 | 88 | 7 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
|---|
Tim is one of three MLB players to have double-digit home runs and stolen bases. The other two? Mookie Betts and Mike Trout. That is some elite company. Anderson is on pace for a 30HR-30SB year and 3.9 WAR.
The point is, the White Sox are rebuilding. There will be growing pains. Tim Anderson has the athleticism and the IQ to improve at shortstop. If Tim can improve on the defensive end like he has improved on the offensive end, this conversation won’t last long.
