Chicago White Sox: Shakeup Continues With Promotion of Top Prospect Tim Anderson
The Chicago White Sox have been tumbling in the standings, prompting a series of moves already. The latest involves calling up a top prospect and saying goodbye to a former all-star.
On May 9th, the Chicago White Sox sat atop the American League with a 23-10 record and a six game lead in the Central Division. Behind a strong starting rotation with Chris Sale and Jose Quintana at the top and big production from the likes of Adam Eaton and Todd Frazier, the boys on the south side were eliciting whispers of an “El Series” with their crosstown competition in Wrigleyville.
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Fast forward a month and the Sox are in a very different position. Since that high-water mark on May 9th, the team is 7-20 and at 30-30 has fallen to 3.5 games back in the division. General Manager Rick Hahn has responded to the free-fall with a series of moves that have included the high-profile trade with the San Diego Padres for starting pitcher James Shields, designating Mat Latos for assignment, and signing former AL MVP Justin Morneau to a one-year, $1 million deal.
The latest move in the shakeup came on Friday morning when the Sox promoted shortstop prospect Tim Anderson from their AAA affiliate in Charlotte and DFA’d veteran and former National League MVP Jimmy Rollins.
Anderson, the No. 2 prospect in the White Sox organization according to MLB Pipeline, has a slash line of .304/.325/.409 55 games this season for Charlotte, with 10 doubles, 11 stolen bases, and four home runs. The 22-year old was Chicago’s first round pick, No. 17 overall, in the 2013 MLB draft.
Scouting reports are mixed on Anderson, as he shows excellent bat speed and surprising pop for his slim frame to go with plus speed. But his pitch recognition needs work, as evidenced by his 7.25-to-1 strikeout-to-walk ratio, and there are also questions about his glove in the middle of the infield.
Still, Anderson has sped through the White Sox system in his three professional seasons, and should inject some needed athleticism to a team with a number of aging veterans.
Rollins, who signed a one-year, $2 million deal with Chicago prior to the season, is slashing just .221/.295/.329 in 41 games played, with a pair of home runs and eight driven in. The 37-year old has shown diminished skills defensively, but could catch on as a bench presence with a contender for the rest of the season.
Anderson is expected to step right into the lineup for the Pale Hose. The only other shortstop on the roster is 26-year old Tyler Saladino, who projects as more of a utility man than an everyday starter.
Next: Rough night for James Shields
Hahn commented at the time of the Shields trade that Chicago was not done making moves. With outfielder Austin Jackson being placed on the 15-day disabled list with a medial meniscus tear in his left knee, and designated hitter Avisail Garcia and catcher Alex Avila struggling, the Sox definitely have holes to fill if they hope to compete right now in a division that may have the tightest race in the AL throughout the summer.