Let's Meet...Josh Anderson

That's Josh. Say hi to him. He is a new Brave, acquired for Oscar Villarreal. The only thing I hate more than people with hard to type names like Jurr Jurrjens (I'm not even making sure that's right) is people with generic WASPy names like Josh Anderson. If you or your family is reading, you're totally the exception that proves the rule. Totally. Dammit, I need to see Clueless for the five billionth time.

Anderson was born three days after me in 1982. Weird. He's from Kentucky and went to Eastern Kentucky where he hit very well and parlayed into a fourth round selection from the Houston Astros. The left-hand hitting outfielder finished up 2003 with Tri City before beginning his first full season of pro ball with Lexington of the SALLY league in '04. After an outstanding .324/.402/.425 campaign in 74 games, he would spend the next 3.5 years trying to approach those numbers again. After Lexington's dominance, he finished the year with Salem in the Carolina League. His OPS fell under .700 where it stayed the following year in Corpus Cristie. A 2006 repeat of Corpus Cristie saw some improvement as he hit .309/.349/.384. Last year, he hit .273 but OPS'd just .666 in the hitter-friendly PCL. That's right, he's the devil.

He finished up with the Astros where he surprised many by hitting .358 in 21 games. In fact, he played the final series against the Braves, going 3 for 12. He finished the year with a six game hit streak and hit in 15 of his final 16 games.

But that's not Josh Anderson, I feel. Not even close. Wanna know who J-And really is?

Fast Guy: Anderson has stolen 237 bases in five minor league seasons and has been caught only 62 times (79%). He is what Willie Harris and Gregor Blanco simply are not. A guy with plenty of speed, but an eye and instinct for stealing.

Powerless: He slugged just .373 as a minor leaguer. Three of his 24 major league hits went for extra bases. You simply are not going to get much power out of him, which is why his speed is so important to his game.

Good Contact: Anderson does not strike out too much which is good because he doesn't walk. At all. His entire game is predicated by putting the ball in play and running.

A player in this mold can start for clubs. When he's a middle infielder that is. Or people get so enamored with your "grit" and the fact you're a black guy with a french-spanish name (Juan Pierre?), but Anderson is not starting material. However, as a fourth outfielder, he could be valuable. I'm a stats guy, but when it comes to the bench, I typically will think "high average" because in my opinion, the batting eye is tougher to maintain as a benchwarmer than the swing. Especially when you have spent your minor league years as a punch-and-judy hitter anyway.

Ultimately, decent deal. The Braves got some help, got rid of some dead weight, and did so while saving money. Yay.