Brian

Anderson

Anderson, 21, batted .366 with 14 home runs and 62 RBI in 57 games for the University of Arizona this season. He’ll probably head to Great Falls of the Advanced Rookie League after a physical. The young center fielder’s presence in the organization should serve as incentive for Joe Borchard.

Anderson, drafted No. 15 overall out of the University of Arizona, batted .388 in 13 games with Great Falls in the Advanced Rookie League before being shut down.

Anderson nearly has his average back up to .300. The 2003 first-round pick is batting .298/.365/.481 in 403 at-bats.

It’d be nice to see Anderson get a fair amount of playing time while Scott Podsednik is out, but our guess is that Timo Perez and Pablo Ozuna will get the majority of the starts in left field. Anderson was hitting .295/.360/.470 in a hitter’s park at Charlotte, so it’s hardly guaranteed that he’s ready to help.

Anderson looked overmatched while striking out against Joe Nathan to end the game, but more experienced hitters have fared as poorly. Anderson should make at least a couple of more starts before Scott Podsednik returns.

“If we keep [Anderson] here, he’d better start swinging the bat better,” manager Ozzie Guillen said. Rob Mackowiak has started four of the last six games in place of Anderson. The White Sox will likely call up another pitcher if they decide to send Anderson to the minors.

''It’s not fair for the kid to think he has to play good [every at-bat],’' Guillen said. “We need him. He’s a big part of the ballclub. Hopefully, he’ll go out there and show some improvement.”

Something for those still using him in AL-only leagues. Anderson also had a single in the game, raising his average to .163.

There’s a good chance that Anderson will soon be sent down to Triple-A. He’s not playing against right-handers and he’s not hitting left-handers, so he’d be much better off getting extra experience at Charlotte.

Anderson is hitting .154, but the team is showing incredible patience with him. “We decided to keep this kid,” manager Ozzie Guillen said. “This ballclub was built on pitching and defense. I believe in our philosophy. We’re going to stay with him. I’ll make the lineup out as best I can.”