Simplicity Keys Breakthrough By Tigers’ Max Anderson
Listening to second baseman Max Anderson on the other end of the phone, the hint of exhaustion amid the excitement in his voice was palpable, and for good reason.
Double-A Erie had just clinched its fourth consecutive Eastern League playoff berth the night before, the second since Anderson’s arrival at the end of last season.
“I’ve always been a guy who remembers the little kid who used to play baseball,” Anderson said. “Still the same game, and when you’ve got friends who you’re playing with, it makes it a lot easier to play and have fun.”
Entering his first full Double-A campaign this year, Anderson is admittedly not one to set expectations. For the 23-year-old, it’s been about keeping his offensive approach simple, all while understanding what to expect from EL pitchers.
“I’d say the beginning of the year was more of a fresh start,” Anderson said. “Guys in this league can definitely execute a plan. I think it’s always that cat-and-mouse game of just going back and forth with the pitcher, because they’ve got good stuff.
“They’re getting paid to get you out, just like you’re getting paid to get hits off them.”
During the offseason, Anderson’s workout routine focused on his lower half, understanding that as he strengthened, he would see a greater generation of power.
“I was trying to be able to pull the ball more,” Anderson said. “My first thought is always going to right-center (field), but I wanted to be able to pull the ball to left field when there’s a mistake there.
“Not selling out to it, but just to have that in your tool bag—and still having that right-center approach.”
To say Anderson’s simplistic approach and offseason work have been effective would be an understatement.
Anderson hit .328/.376/.534 with 11 home runs through 72 games. He led the EL with 97 hits, 24 doubles and with a .910 OPS.
The Tigers drafted Anderson out of Nebraska in the second round in 2023.
