The 60-game sprint is not easy on any team in Major League Baseball. Every club is desperately looking for ways to earn a win and managers are looking for ways to out-strategize their opponents in order to snatch one of the 16 available playoff spots. However, to be successful, every team needs the special ingredient that gives them the upper hand. They need an X-factor. For the White Sox, this is Tim Anderson and Yasmani Grandal. These two players bring a combination of passion, expertise, fun, focus, and leadership to the clubhouse. Also, this goes without saying, but, they’re both pretty good as well. Let’s look at them more closely!
When Tim Anderson is amped, the team is amped
In 2019, Tim Anderson had himself a career year. He hit .335, with 18 homers, 56 RBI, a .508 slugging percentage, two violent bat flips, and one shiny AL Batting Champion trophy. However, the shortstop’s role on the Sox extends beyond his play on the field. He has turned into one of the best teammates in all of baseball.
“He’s one of those guys you really hate to play against, but absolutely love to have him as a teammate,” pitcher Dallas Keuchel said when asked about Anderson.
This perfectly captures why Anderson is so crucial to the Sox’s success in 2020. His positive approach to baseball is contagious. No matter how poorly the Sox may be playing, watching Anderson’s energy while on the field seems to improve the mood and outlook of the game when just watching as a fan from home. He makes it look effortless and has a smile on his face doing it.
In addition, Anderson is a nightmare for opposing pitchers because he can hurt you in a lot of different ways. He can easily find a hole in the infield to get on base for an easy single, has the speed to stretch out a single into a double (or a double into a triple), and proven that he possesses the power potnetial in his bat.
Lastly, TA has a vital role in the batting order. For the first six games of the season, he has led off for the White Sox. This likely will remain the same for much of these 60 games, no matter how much of it is played. When someone like Anderson can get the game going with a positive at-bat, it sets the tone for the rest of the order. Tim loves contributing on offense; no matter if it’s with an infield single or a deep, bat flip worthy, homer to start out the game, he’s going to have his teammates revved up and ready to attack.
Yasmani Grandal is like an extra coach on the field
Few catchers in MLB have seen the playoffs in each of the last five seasons. One of those select few landed with the White Sox in the offseason: Yasmani Grandal. Anyone who has ever been around the game of baseball understands the importance of the catcher position. It may look like remembering a few signs and squatting uncomfortably for three-plus hours for days on end. However, it’s so much more than that, and Grandal is one of the best to do it.
Yaz entered this season with a career batting average of .250 and 416 RBI. In addition, he’s been around the block in the National League. Over his nine-year career, he’s spent time in San Diego, Los Angeles, and Milwaukee before shifting over to the American League when he signed with the White Sox. What Grandal brings is experience at the game’s most important position, tons of power, and knowledge of the opponents while serving as a terrific role model for the young players on the White Sox roster.
COVID-19 altering the MLB schedule worked in Grandal’s favor. The switch-hitting catcher spent last season with the Milwaukee Brewers, so he’s played a ton of games against NL Central opponents. Due to regionalized schedules, the Sox have a secret weapon in Grandal when it comes to knowing these teams. Notorious for his rigorous study of opposing batters, Yaz is going to be able to navigate Sox pitchers through situations where they have not faced any of their opponents or their players. Grandal has, and will surely be of great help.
This was, hands down, the best offseason signing Rick Hahn has made in recent years. Think back to 2005 with A.J. Pierzynski in the backstop, and the role he played in that team. Grandal’s is similar, but multiplied.
While these two aren’t the only keys to a successful 60 games, they sure will help the White Sox on the road to the postseason. Everyone needs that X-factor. Luckily for the Sox, they have two!
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