Two-time All-Star Tim Anderson has been, statistically, one of the worst players in baseball since the start of 2023. Anderson will get a shot at a MLB return in 2025, as the Angels have reportedly signed him to a Minor League deal. That agreement also reportedly comes with an invite to big league Spring Training.

A Look at Anderson

It’s been a sharp fall from grace for Tim Anderson, the former batting champion who hit .301 over 79 games in an injury-shortened 2022 campaign. Since then, Anderson — who played 2024 with the Marlins — slashed .235/.271/.274 (.544 OPS) with 24 extra-base hits over 188 games from 2023-24.

Among players with 700+ PA in that span, no one had a lower OPS than Anderson. The only player close to Anderson was Tigers infielder Javier Baez (.566).

Anderson was originally signed to be the Marlins’ everyday shortstop in 2024, months after the White Sox opted not to pick up his club option for that season. However, Anderson was cut in July by Miami. His replacement, Xavier Edwards, thrived over the second half.

The 31-year-old Anderson has never been a pure power hitter. When Anderson was on his game, he had a knack for hitting the ball where it’s pitched, not doing too much with it, and showed great pitch recognition. However, things have been hardly the same over the last two seasons.

Anderson swung and missed 41.6% of the time against offspeed pitchers in 2024, significantly higher than the 27.7% from two years earlier. The ex-Marlin often got out way out in front on pitches, chasing — which has been part of his game for years but has gotten worse — and unable to turn on anything.

The same thing can be said for him against breaking balls. Anderson’s average against those pitches dropped over 100 points compared to 2022.

Defensively, Anderson sported a -2 Outs Above Average at short last season per Statcast. Anderson has long been pegged to move to second base at some point. His range at short has never been elite. And, talk of that move increased after he played well there during the 2023 World Baseball Classic.

Per USA Today, Tim Anderson signed with the Angels on a Minor League deal with an invite to Spring Training.

Analysis

In many ways, Anderson has looked and played like a dishevelled player over the last two seasons. In between pitches, not able to square it up, and doing too much at the plate. However, Anderson will get yet another opportunity and a fresh start in Anaheim.

There is opportunity for Anderson to make it out of camp with the Angels. Right now, the only locks to start Opening Day — assuming all players stay healthy — are Nolan Schanuel, Zach Neto, Anthony Rendon, and Luis Rengifo, with Kevin Newman as the likely utilityman. The Angels also have Ryan Noda and Kyren Paris as other infield options.

If Anderson makes it, he’ll likely be a utilityman, unless injury arises. The Angels had plenty of injury problems in 2024, not counting Mike Trout. Luis Rengifo missed roughly half of 2024, while Rendon hasn’t played more than 59 games in a season since 2019.

But before anything, Anderson will need to be not necessarily more disciplined. Rather, focused on making good contact.