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2004 season Brian Anderson is all
business when he's on the field The first thing that stands out about Chicago White Sox outfield prospect Brian Anderson is his personality. To say that he's outgoing just might be an understatement.
"I try not to take anything too seriously," Anderson said about himself. But Anderson's "goofball" nature off the field should not be misconstrued as a lackadaisical attitude on the field. When he's between the lines, the Tucson, Arizona native is all business. The 22-year-old Anderson, who just finished the 2004 season with a stint with the Mesa Solar Sox of the Arizona Fall League, is also very serious about his off-season work. "The hardest thing ... is staying focused during the off-season," commented Anderson. "Too many players come into spring training thinking, 'I'll get in shape in spring training.' The ones that separate themselves are the ones that take the off-season seriously and focus and get stronger and work the hardest." This "work hard but have fun" approach has Anderson on the cusp of making the big leagues after only two minor league seasons. He was selected in the first round (15th overall) of the 2003 draft after his junior season at the University of Arizona. The White Sox sent Anderson to its rookie level affiliate in the Pioneer League for his first season; a wrist injury shortened his debut year, but he still managed to hit .388/.492/.592 in 13 games. Anderson began the 2004 season with High A Winston-Salem. He batted .319/.394/.531 with the Warthogs, and was named to the mid-season Carolina League All-Star squad. The White Sox bumped the 6'2", 205 pound outfielder up to its AA affiliate in Birmingham, where he posted decent numbers (.270/.346/.416)despite enduring a groin injury and a late season slump. The pressure to produce is generally intensified for players with that "first round" label. That's not a problem for Anderson. "It's good pressure to have," he said. "Some people would love that that pressure. It's just a blessing for me. I don't mind it." Anderson is used to being in the spotlight, dating back to his high school days when he played for the powerhouse Canyon del Oro team in Tucson. That team included Arizona Diamondback infielder Scott Hairston and current minor leaguers Chris and Shelley Duncan (sons of St. Louis Cardinal coach Dave Duncan) and Ranger farmhand Ian Kinsler. "There were so many great players in our high school ... there were always scouts and people there," commented Anderson. "It was pretty easy to get recognized."
One of Anderson's better learning experiences was the time that he spent during spring training as a non-roster invitee in the White Sox camp. "I tried to hang out with those guys and soak up as much information as I could," said Anderson, "because those guys can only help you. Obviously, they're doing what they need to do to be in the big leagues." One White Sox veteran in particular helped Anderson in the spring. "Sandy Alomar used to coach me," Anderson remarked. "Even when I was doing well, he'd criticize me, which I liked. It was positive criticism. I would throw a guy out or make a good play, and he would tell me, 'You could have done this better in that situation.' ... That really helped me." Anderson wasn't real satisfied with his performance in the just-concluded Arizona Fall League season. He hit .233/.340/.378, with three homeruns and five stolen bases in 90 at bats, although he generally was swinging the bat well. "Personally, I don't think I've played as well as I should have," Anderson commented at the beginning of the last week of the AFL season. "But the main purpose of this league for me was to get as many at bats and see as many pitches as possible. I've gotten myself into deep counts and I've seen enough pitches to where I can perform and do what I need to do to give myself the best chance to make the big leagues this year." While much of the discussion has been on Anderson's offensive production and potential, he's also strong defensively, with the speed to play center field and the arm to play right field. He takes pride in his abilities in the field. "What separates all-around players is their defensive ability," Anderson stated, "and I try to do whatever it takes to take myself to the next level and show them what I can do in the outfield." --- Bill Mitchell All photos on the Arizona Fall League Report are credited to Bill Mitchell, unless noted otherwise, and are not to be used for any other purpose without express permission.
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