Tigers’ Max Anderson Keeps Good Times Rolling In Pro Ball
When second baseman Max Anderson was younger, he thought the possibility of a professional career seemed almost far-fetched.
“When I was in high school, I didn’t think I was necessarily good enough to go play college, so I just kept playing,” Anderson said. “Then college happened, and the same thing with college.
“You play and then the draft gets on your radar junior year and you’re like, ‘Wow, this might actually happen.’ “
The Tigers drafted Anderson in the second round last year out of Nebraska and signed for nearly $500,000 under slot. As a junior, the righthanded hitter batted .414/.461/.771 with 21 home runs in 57 games.
“I did not know the Tigers were going to draft me,” Anderson said. “That was definitely out of the blue.”
Anderson has never been big on analytics, so he has not made any major changes to his offensive approach in pro ball.
“I think I’m the farthest thing away from analytics,” Anderson said. “I’m a big just-see-how-it-feels on the field. If it feels good, then there’s a good swing. And if it was bad, then bad swing.
“Growing up, as much as you try not to be result-oriented, the result tells you a bunch about what you did.”
Two months into the season at High-A West Michigan, Anderson was once again relying on feel as he adjusts to Midwest League pitching. Through 40 games he hit .258/.302/.401 with five home runs.
He also looks to his new coaching staff for direction through the next phase of his development.
“Our hitting coach, (Francisco Contreras) has been awesome,” Anderson said. “He’s taught me a lot about the game, I would say approach-wise, and (manager) Tony (Capuccilli) is the best.
“He’s always teaching and always keeping the dugout light.”
