Should White Sox Move Tim Anderson to Second Base?

Chicago White Sox shortstop has excelled at second base in the 2023 World Baseball Classic, albeit a small sample size. Could he switch positions and play second base for the White Sox? That will be up to new manager Pedro Grifol.

Coming off an injury-riddled 2022 season in which he played just 79 games, Chicago White Sox shortstop Tim Anderson is now the club's longest-tenured player.

That title belonged to 2020 American League MVP Jose Abreu up until last November. Abreu signed a three-year deal to join the reigning World Series champion Houston Astros, making Anderson the longest-tenured member of the White Sox. Anderson made his Major League debut in 2016.

In his age-26 season in 2019, something clicked for Anderson, as he emerged as one of the American League's best contact hitter. He would go on to win a batting title that season, hitting .335. Over his last four seasons, Anderson has slashed .318/.347/.820. During that time, however, Anderson has graded as a below average defensive shortstop. For his career, he's logged -16 Defensive Runs Saved. In other words, he's been a minus-glove at a premier position.

Through 766 career games, Anderson has solely played shortstop. He batted in the White Sox' designated hitter spot for one game in 2018, and another in 2019, neither of which were games he started.

This spring, Anderson is playing for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic. After sitting behind Philadelphia Phillies shortstop Trea Turner to start the tournament, Team USA manager Mark DeRosa wanted to get Anderson's bat into the lineup Monday night, in a critical game versus Team Canada.  For the first time in Anderson's career, he played second base.

Anderson accepted the challenge at a new position, and responded loud and clear. Anderson went 2-for-3 with a walk and an RBI, providing an offensive spark to Team USA in its 12-1 victory over Canada.

Anderson returned to the United States' lineup Wednesday night, going 0-for-4, but impressing defensively at his new position, prompting USA Today's Bob Nightengale to tweet, "Tim Anderson looks like a man who could win a Gold Glove at second base."

Tim Anderson looks like a man who could win a Gold Glove at second base.

— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) March 16, 2023

Anderson made a nice tag, on a throw catcher Will Smith made to gun a would-be base stealer at second base.

Will Smith with the throw, Tim Anderson with the tag 🇺🇸🤝

📺: WBC on FS1 pic.twitter.com/XygMS1BpAT

— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) March 16, 2023

"He felt comfortable," White Sox manager Pedro Grifol said. "We feel comfortable with him feeling comfortable."

Albeit a short sample size, Anderson has indeed look comfortable at second base and excelled at the position. Second base could be a good home for Anderson in the long-term. Anderson is 

Last August, the White Sox picked up veteran shortstop Elvis Andrus, after Anderson was placed on the Injured List for the remainder of the season, having torn a hand ligament. In 42 games, Andrus played a better defensive shortstop than Anderson had all season, again, albeit a small sample size. Not only did Andrus outperform Anderson in DRS (1 to -7), but he also bested the White Sox star in Statcast's Outs Above Average (4 to -2).

The White Sox re-signed Andrus over the winter, and all indications have been that Andrus will play second base, with Anderson at short.

But is it worth considering moving Anderson to second base? I think so. Perhaps it might not be how the White Sox should open the season, but if Anderson's defensive struggles carry over from 2022 to 2023, Grifol will have the option to move Anderson to second in his back pocket.

Anderson is under contract with the White Sox through 2023, with a club option for 2024. If he does not improve at the shortstop position in 2023, he could move to second base in 2024, when top shortstop prospect Colson Montgomery is on schedule to make his Major League debut.

For now, it appears Anderson will start the season at shortstop, just as he has in any other season. However, in the World Baseball Classic, he could be playing his position of the future.

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