Why Tigers' delay of Max Anderson's MLB debut might have been a good thing

I was as excited as anyone for Max Anderson's MLB debut this season, but as the season went on and I followed Max's development, I quietly understood why he didn't ever get the call up. It wasn't due to a lack of execution, or even a lack of trust in the young infielder. This was a move meant to benefit both the player and the team long-term.

He was too similar to Gleyber Torres

Max Anderson, in the long run, profiles like the player Gleyber Torres represented on this team the past two seasons: a right-handed infielder with a strong hit tool, limited speed, but a stabilizing presence preferably in the middle of the lineup. He hits behind runners beautifully, and plays valuable positions, like second and third base.

The main problem this year is that having two players on the MLB roster who serve such similar roles is not a wise decision. Whereas Hao-Yu Lee offers a bit more sneaky power upside and more immediate speed, and John Peck played a more important defensive position, Anderson would have simply been in the way of playing time for guys like Eduardo Valencia, as well as Lee and Peck themselves.

Anderson is seen as an advanced prospect who doesn't need as much time to adjust to MLB pitching as other guys, so there was absolutely no need to rush him along when Torres' veteran presence was likely as useful as anything Anderson could offer down the stretch.

That, and with an up-and-coming team like the Tigers, you want to do right by the veteran players who do come through the clubhouse, to paint a positive image for future free agents. An extra year of Max Anderson in Detroit feels like a good reward for taking good care of Torres at the end of a lost season.

Plate discipline and maximizing contact

Anderson has not been the most patient prospect during his minor league career. He sports a 7.9% walk rate in his professional career, but posted a promising 10.9% walk rate this season at Triple-A to improve what was once a career 6.7% rate.

This was no accident, though. Anderson was clearly told around mid-season (when he was already tearing up Triple-A offensively) that he was far too aggressive and did not walk enough for someone who doesn't offer immediate 20+ homer power. He took this critique in stride, raising his roughly career-norm walk rate of 6.4% through June by walking a combined 35 times in July and August.

In addition, in spite of his contact-first offensive profile, Anderson posted an average 82.1% Contact rate on pitches in the strike zone. This is significantly less important due to his extremely high 77% Zone Swing rate, but it still means he will occasionally swing and miss at some good pitches, and therefore his ability to leave pitches out of the strike zone alone becomes all the more important.

Bear in mind that this Zone Contact is a significant increase from his midseason mark of 79-80%, but still would ideally be closer to the mid-80s, and was well on his way there in the second half. For reference, Max Clark posted a 90.4% Zone Contact rate during his MLB stint.

Positional limitations and an attempt at versatility

Defensively, most people watching Anderson will agree that he has pretty good hands and an accurate arm, but lacks the pure range of other players that profile as a second baseman long term. As a result, the Tigers wanted to give him reps at positions where his offensive skillset might be useful, such as third base.

He graded out somewhat poorly comparatively due to his limited arm strength, and therefore, it becomes ever more important to allow Torres to depart before allowing Anderson a fair shot at the position long-term. In this scenario, second base would be up for the taking, potentially as a platoon, or even as his own position.

Win-win service time manipulation

Finally, this was likely a move meant to keep Anderson in the organization longer if his hit tool translates well to major league pitching. Due to the fact that he is not 21 or 22 like Clark and Kevin McGonigle, assuming Anderson makes his MLB debut in 2027 and stays up, he would be a Detroit Tiger through his age 30 season without ever having to be extended. By then, he will likely be bulkier, slower, and possibly positionally challenged.

Harris would probably be less inclined to offer him an extension in six years over someone like Peck, who might not have the same offensive ceiling, but does offer speed, baserunning, and defensive excellence at a premier position. As a result, Peck could theoretically cost significantly less for potentially more all-around value if his bat pans out. Anderson will now cost very little to stay on the team through 2031.

While I can't say with 100% certainty that Anderson will be a Tiger to start 2027, I do feel strongly that there were valid reasons to hold him back this season, and that I do expect him to positively impact the team going forward. If Anderson does make the team out of spring Traitraininging and immediately impacts the offense, one could view this decision as an investment of trust in his long-term abilities by the front office. Either way, I love the type of player Anderson could be and look forward to hopefully seeing him get a fair shot next year.

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