Tim Anderson

Position: SS
Level: Triple-A
Affiliate: Charlotte Knights
League:
Age: 22
Height: 6'1"
Weight: 185
B/T: Right / Right
Acquired: 1st Rd., (#13 overall) 2013 MLB First-Year Player Draft (CHW)

Prospect Spotlight

The Potential Tools: 70 run, 55 hit, 50 arm, 50 glove (CF)

Strengths: Plus-plus athleticism; muscular frame and build; explosive first step and quickness; sub-4.1 HP-to-1B; great strength in hands and wrists; plus bat speed; exceptional hand-eye coordination gives him barrel control through hitting zone; feel for contact; compact swing and gets strong lower half involved early; can turn on velocity; plus raw power; ability to backspin the ball pull side; power comes from slight natural lift and bat speed; present gap-to-gap doubles power with strength for HR power; average reads, reactions, range and arm; soft, crisp hands; move to center field would let pure athleticism/run be utilized more.

Weaknesses: Swing and miss vs. spin; aggressive approach early in counts needs refinement; raw baseball talent — limited exposure to breaking stuff; front side can fly open; questions about arm utility for shortstop; average reactions makes range play average; questions about ability to play the position; raw power yet to translate to in-game HR power; transition to polished baseball player from raw athlete has taken a while — still a work in progress; hit tool has more risk than usual upper minors player; could fall below projection and limit ceiling.

Role Ceiling: 55; above-average regular center fielder.

Risk: Moderate; approach needs refinement; still transitioning to polished player from raw athlete; in=game power yet to mature; needs reps at future defensive home.

Summary: Anderson didn’t start playing baseball until his junior year of high school but his double-plus athleticism would play in any sport. After going to junior college for two years, the White Sox drafted him in the first round of the 2013 MLB draft and he immediately showed why the pick was warranted. Not having played baseball until H.S., Anderson has had limited exposure to consistent breaking pitches, and at first had trouble with laying off those pitches. Over the course of his minor league career, Anderson has shown great improvements in approach at the plate and in barreling-up velocity, along with letting his athleticism play in the field.

His range and arm may not be best suited for the shortstop position, but he would be able to able to play center field or second base just fine. Anderson is a raw baseball talent but he features plus raw power, plus-plus run, and skills at the plate that leave many believing he could develop into an above-average hitter.