Anderson (.560) off to torrid start for Chicago White Sox
When talk inevitably turns to the Chicago White Sox's bright future, Eloy Jimenez, Luis Robert, Michael Kopech, Dylan Cease and Nick Madrigal are most identified as the young players capable of leading the organization out of the darkness.
Don't forget about Tim Anderson.
Now in his fourth season with the Sox, the No. 17 overall pick in the 2013 draft continues showing impressive growth as a player and a leader.
"I feel like I'm learning and understanding the game a lot more," Anderson said. "I feel like it's slowing down for me a lot more, and I'm getting it."
Anderson got a lot better at shortstop as the 2018 season wore on. He made 10 errors in his first 52 games of the year and only 10 more over his final 101 games.
He has been even better with the bat.
Last season, Anderson became the first shortstop in White Sox history to have 20 or more home runs and stolen bases in the same year.
This year, he's taking it to another level.
"I think he's seeing the ball well," manager Rick Renteria said. "He's hitting a variety of pitches, having really good at-bats."
The White Sox lost another ugly game to the Seattle Mariners on Sunday, 12-5 at Guaranteed Rate Field, but don't blame Anderson. The 25-year-old infielder was 4-for-5, boosting his batting average to .560. He has had multiple hits in four straight games.
"I feel real good," he said. "I feel real comfortable, a lot of confidence. I've been working during the off-season and spring training, and it's showing a little bit. I think I can be consistent with this. I know my routine now and I'm able to take it into the game."
In his first three years with the Sox, Anderson struck out 428 times and drew only 56 walks in 1,643 plate appearances.
He's only struck out twice in 26 trips to the plate this season while drawing 1 walk, and Anderson no longer looks overmatched on off-speed pitches.
"He's staying on pitches," Renteria said. "As long as he gets them up in the zone in a manageable area, he's starting to recognize where a pitch has to start before he commits, and he's recognizing spin."
Anderson was quiet when he first joined the White Sox in June 2016, but he has become comfortable in the clubhouse and isn't afraid to say what's on his mind.
"He's really matured and evolved into a leader down there," Sox general manager Rick Hahn said. "You identify guys when they're in your system or in the draft or when you acquire them that have the ability to one day be an on-field leader. Tim was always someone we felt was going to be a level-to-level guy and each year was going to be better than the previous one.
"But there was always this element to him, this edge to him that we thought was going to serve him well in terms of the clubhouse role. He has not disappointed in that regard in any way, and I think you're going to continue to see that grow over the summer and over the next few years."