Why Josh Anderson Will Be '09's Centerfielder

~JB, Atlanta, GA

Last November, the Braves sent "The Vulture" to Houston for then 25 year old Josh Anderson. It gave the Braves one more candidate for the future center field position vacated by the free agent departure of Andruw Jones. Shortly before spring training however, the Braves traded for Kotsay on January 14th, 2008 and Anderson's fate was all but sealed and he would spend '08 in Richmond. 

We all know how the story goes from there. Kotsay gets center, gets hurt, Josh comes up, Josh promptly goes right back. But the with the wash of 2008 fully realized and Kot's contract coming up, Mark (and his wife) were sent to Boston and Josh comes back. 

But let's flashback to look at Josh's short major league career to date. 

A year ago yesterday, Josh Anderson made his major league debut with the Astros. During his time in the September callup of 2007 for Houston, Josh did fairly well.  He hit .358 in 21 games with 3 doubles 11 RBI's and a stolen base. His OBP was      .413 and an OPS of .816.

This year, now that he's getting some significant playing time after Kotsay's departure to Beantown, here's how Josh's stats look before today's game had started;

                G   AB    R    H   2B  3B  HR    RBI     SB    CS  BB   SO   BA     OBP    OPS 

Atlanta   17   49    8   16    2    1    1       4          5        0      6     7     .327   .400     .869

This year has seen only a slight drop in batting average but 5 stolen bases in 5 attempts, a higher OPS and a slight pop in the bat that's produced 4 RBI and a triple to go with his homer for '08. Now, 17 games doesn't tell all, so perhaps a better indicator of his readiness to play in Atlanta every day  would be what he's done all year long in Richmond.

 G    AB    R    H   2B   3B   HR  RBI    SB   CS  BB      K   BA   OBP    OPS 

 121 494  77  155  25   4      4      40     42     7   30     57 .314   .358   .763

So the guy can steal bases and he did it at an impressive 85%.  A quick peek at his fielding stats and 

you'll see nothing too impressive. Eight assists and 2 DP's but only 4 errors this year to give him .987% for all positions played in Richmond.  

So there are your numbers on Josh. But why am I so certain Josh will win the starting position for 

centerfield? 

Well to start with Josh is defying some expectations. One of the biggest flaws brought up on his scouting report say he doesn't hit lefties well. A righty who hits from the left side, Josh's AB's against lefties are few in 2008 but the numbers are good. He's 4-11 hitting .364, .364 OBP, with a double and 1 RBI against southpaws. So though this is a small scope of AB's they are major league AB's and if he's truly adjusted, and he can hit lefties, he would have a lot to offer and be a great every day guy. 

The other critique is that he doesn't have a lot to offer in the power department. But his is irrelevant as his strengths are really in his ability to get on base, steal, and help manufacture runs. In an outfield that saw very poor power production, some Braves fans may cringe at the idea of not bringing in a thumper. But Anderson is the kind of player the Braves need to add some moderate pop (the occasional homer or triple but  good doubles numbers) and of course he will steal bases. Being a true table setter is Josh's forte and I can't say I don't love the idea of bringing this element back into the lineup  for the first time since Furcal. 

So the Braves' next move should be to get a power bat, most likely by trade, but the starting job for center field 2009 should go to Anderson. He's making the most of the grooming he's getting in the Show in spite of an 0-5 day in Miami today. 

So that leaves Blanco and Schaefer in to be the odd men out. Of course we won't know anything until the job is filled in Spring but if you've watched Josh this month he's playing like centerfield is his to lose. Plus, I think it's time we got a young center fielder who won't strike out like Andruw, hurt his back like Kotsay, or bring potential drama like the "J.S.". And though Blanco has done well with his duties this year, I think Anderson is making him, and any other candidate, look dispensable. 

My prediction is that where we once saw #25 patrolling the lawn, #24 will soon be a fixture.  

JB @ The Launching Pad