White Sox SS Tim Anderson’s defense continues to be work in progress: ‘We’ve got work to do’

DETROIT — At spring training, White Sox shortstop Tim Anderson shared his goals for the season. He said he planned to be more consistent and disciplined at the plate. He also wanted to commit fewer errors in the field.

Anderson accomplished the first goal and then some, but his defense remains a weak part of his game.

He owns a league-leading .336 batting average, a major improvement from his .240 mark last season. In the fifth inning Saturday, he hit his 18th homer of the season and fourth in September. The Sox have hit at least one home run in 15 of their last 17 games.

But Anderson leads the league in another stat: errors. Despite missing a month because of an ankle injury, Anderson has committed 25 errors, five more than he had in 2018.

Anderson has the tools to be an elite shortstop. His range and athleticism are top notch.

So what gives?

Manager Rick Renteria believes it’s a matter of staying focused and being committed to completing plays.

Anderson knows he needs to shore up his defense if he wants to be a top-tier shortstop.

“We’ve got more work to do,” Anderson said. “This offseason, I’m going to continue to work and get better and try to do it all over again.”

If Anderson can minimize his errors next season while maintaining his offensive production, could he become the best shortstop in the game?

“Yeah, that’s possible,” Anderson said. “I already feel like that.”

Renteria believes so, too. The skipper thinks Anderson could be as good as four-time All-Star Francisco Lindor.

“My hope for him is we cut those [errors] in half, which would put him in a pretty elite class of shortstops, especially with his offense,” Renteria said. “It’s possible for him to do it, and he’s still going to get better.”

Eloy making an impression

There’s a lot to appreciate about rookie Eloy Jimenez, who hit his second career grand slam Friday. Along with his fun-loving personality, Jimenez slashed .268/.317/.509 with 29 homers and 75 RBI in 116 games entering Saturday.

But what has impressed Renteria the most has been the way Jimenez has controlled his emotions in the spotlight.

“The best way to describe it is he’s a young man who’s taken the ups and downs of this season and not allowed it to affect him in a grand scheme,” Renteria said of the 22-year-old.

“He’s continued to do work, he’s trying to understand exactly what’s going on with him at the plate in terms of how guys are attacking him, and he’s continuing to push and persevere.”