Tim Anderson beginning to show signs of his old self

[Kevin Barral]

After a very rough start to the season, Tim Anderson has found consistency at the plate since returning from a short stint on the bereavement list.

MIAMI, FL—When the Miami Marlins signed free agent shortstop Tim Anderson, they were expecting to see him bounce back from his rough 2023 season where he slashed .245/.286/.296/.582 with one home run and 25 RBIs. Unfortunately, his numbers have been even worse.

Another hitless performance on June 5 dropped Anderson to a season-low 21 wRC+ to go along with a .188/.221/.206 slash line and seven RBIs. It was only natural to wonder how much longer the Marlins would continue giving him regular playing time. Prior to Miami's next game, the former All-Star was placed on the bereavement list, which kept him out for the team's next series against the Cleveland Guardians.

Since returning to the lineup, Anderson has drastically improved. He has recorded multiple hits in six of his last eight games, including his first three-hit game as a Marlin on June 14. He's done damage against both left-handers and right-handers and even earned a chance to bat in the leadoff spot. His batting average has climbed 38 points to .226.

"Just believing and trusting myself," said Anderson about his recent turnaround. "Knowing that I do have every tool. It's just a matter of controlling them and bringing them together...The bat's always been there. It's just a matter of how can I regenerate it and get it back to where it needs to be. It's just been trusting in my work and believing in my work and understanding it and just working every day."

All of Anderson's hits have been singles during this period, resulting in only two RBIs, but you'll take that over the frequent strikeouts and groundouts that held down his production earlier this season.

"Don't try to do too much," said Anderson. "Stay where I'm at. I feel like everything is just gonna keep continuing to keep playing as long as I stay where I'm at."

Marlins manager Skip Schumaker has noticed Anderson's adjustments making a difference.

"He's flushing the ball up the middle, not pull-side ground balls. It's really good swings. That's the TA that you're kind of used to throughout the last few years. I'm glad he's back to where he's feels comfortable. He feels good again at the plate. Feels dangerous again at the plate. I think he's just more in his legs and you could see it with some of the takes."

The overall numbers are still ugly. Anderson ranks last among MLB shortstops (min. 200 PA) in both wRC+ and fWAR. Worth noting, though, he has rebounded as a defender in 2024. He's gone from -16 defensive runs saved last year to -1 DRS and from -2 outs above average to -1 OAA. Coming up on his 31st birthday this Sunday, the improvement shows he could possibly stick at this important defensive position moving forward.

"A lot of credit goes to Jody (Reed)," said Anderson. "He's told me some things since I got over here that have helped me slow the game down and help me slow the ball down. That's why I just work. Just work to try to get better and continue to keep working to get better."

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[Leo Armbrister]

The recent version of Tim Anderson is acceptable however he has not demonstrated any power. If he continues to hit singles at this pace maybe we should keep him for the full year.

[THOMAS JOSEPH]

Good news if it holds, as it is apparent that the Marlins are intent on obtaining every ounce of return they can squeeze out for their $5 million in the only year Anderson will have in Miami. Maybe a scorching five weeks can turn Anderson into a trade candidate. Probably not and that's ok. 

[Ely Sussman]

10 hours ago, THOMAS JOSEPH said:

Maybe a scorching five weeks can turn Anderson into a trade candidate. Probably not and that's ok. 

Right, if he's making the team incrementally more watchable and getting along well in the clubhouse, that's still beneficial. Spend the rest of the season evaluating him for a 2025 role (with a mutual understanding that he isn't quite everyday shortstop material anymore).