Aug. 14--When the White Sox drafted Tim Anderson in the first round in 2013, general manager Rick Hahn said the perception by some in baseball outside of the organization was that he wouldn't make it as a professional shortstop.
Hahn said Anderson's improved play has shifted that view over the last year, and the Sox continue to see him as their shortstop of the future.
"That's a testament to the kid's athleticism and the repetitions and his instructions and his ability to adapt," Hahn said. "We view him as a shortstop, and I think most of the industry does as well."
The Sox knew from the start that it would take a lot of repetition at multiple minor-league levels for Anderson, a basketball and baseball player in high school, to polish his skills.
At Double-A Birmingham this year, he has 22 errors over 103 games, with a .954 fielding percentage and a 4.47 range factor. That has improved from 34 errors in 81 games last season, with a .910 fielding percentage and a 4.26 range factor.
On the offensive end, he hasn't let up all season and is hitting .313 with 18 doubles, 11 triples, three home runs, 68 runs scored and 45 stolen bases.
Hahn said the Sox want to continue to let Anderson, 22, help Birmingham toward its run at a Southern League playoff spot. After that, he was not ready to say when Anderson, who spent spring training with the Sox this year, might see major-league time.
The Sox have a question mark at shortstop for the 2016 season. They hold a $10 million team option for Alexei Ramirez but also have current Sox rookies Carlos Sanchez and Tyler Saladino as shortstop options.
"It's not fair to say we are going to see him here on this date because, again, he has still got a little ways to go and a few areas of his game to iron out," Hahn said. "In terms of him meeting that potential thus far in his career, he's absolutely done that."
Birmingham cyclers: Birmingham outfielder Jacob May hit for the cycle Tuesday in a game against Pensacola. He went 4-for-5 with two runs scored and capped the feat with an eighth-inning, three-run homer.
May is the second Birmingham player to hit for the cycle this year. Anderson did it on May 9.
ckane@tribpub.com
