Remember when Lars Anderson was the next big thing for the Boston Red Sox only to be traded away and never to be heard from again? Well he has resurfaced after the Chicago White Sox released him from their AAA team yesterday making him a free agent. I know the Yankees have Dan Johnson in Scranton but he is yet another old left handed first basemen that we have plenty of in stock. Lars Anderson, even with his .194/.302/.251 triple slash this season, is still only 25 years old and probably still too young to give up on in my opinion. Lars showed some flashes of talent from 2010 to 2012 with the Boston Red Sox in limited time in the majors and if I had to choose between an old left handed first basemen in Dan Johnson or a 25 year old left handed first basemen in Lars Anderson I may be inclined to go with Lars. What say you?
Lars cannot hit. He got to the Triple A level and the pitching was too advanced for him. This is apparent by looking at the results of each game over the course of each season year after year rather than just his average.
ReplyDeleteAn additional problem - he was hit in the head by a fast ball last August when he was with Columbus. I truly believe that he is suffering after-effects of this. He developed a long term vertigo and the team sent him home.
His defensive skills are outstanding. I hope he doesn't give up. He is his own worst enemy because his emotions and thoughts eat away at him.
I hope it all works out for him and he stays in pro ball in an MLB affiliated organization.
I AGREE WITH ANONYMOUS ABOVE. IF PITCHERS ONLY THREW FAST BALLS, LARS WOULD PROBABLY BE THE NEXT BABE RUTH. HE HAS NEVER BEEN ABLE TO ADJUST TO TRIPLE A PITCHING, HENCE THE HIGH NUMBER OF STRIKEOUTS. AFTER MANY AT BATS, AND ALL OF THE OPPORTUNITIES PROVIDED HIM (ESPECIALLY AT PAWTUCKETT AND BOSTON), HE HAS MADE IT CLEAR HE CAN'T HIT. I AM SURE BOSTON WISHES THEY HAD THEIR $800K BACK WHEN THEY DRAFTED HIM. I THINK ALL THE TEAMS HAVE WRITTEN HIM OFF FOR GOOD. HE'S A SMART KID, I HOPE HE GOES TO COLLEGE AND GETS A JOB.
ReplyDeleteIs he really any worse than Dan Johnson could be though? I mean until recently Dan hasnt exactly tore up the minor leagues either this season and is leading the Railriders in stats on a more anemic offense then the Yankees.
ReplyDeleteThe age difference notwithstanding, Dan's OBP is .372 and Lars's is .302 so I'd say, yeah, stick with Dan.
ReplyDeleteThe odd thing is a couple of years ago, Lars was very patient at the plate and led the International League in walks. Now he just hacks away - pops out, grounds out, and strikes out. No, Lars, you're not supposed to hit the ball right to them - find the hole, man, and hit it there.
Tip of the hat to Lars, though. He never liked being called a hot prospect. He's made about $2 million in his career thus far. He had a 4.0 in high school - he's a smart articulate kid but like all ball players, he'll probably go Independent League and someone will have to rip the jersey off his back in order to get him to quit playing ball. I think the guy will probably stick with it and try to stay in the MLB system maybe at the Double A level if someone takes him.
He's played a few years with Daniel Nava so I kinda think he'll have no problem going Independent.
Lars was always straightforward with Boston fans. He said his goal was to get to the majors and I hope he can improve his hitting and reach his goal.