Top 30 MLB breakout stars in 2017

Chicago White Sox

2017 MLB Breakout Pick: SS Tim Anderson

With the White Sox on the brink of a full-blown rebuild following the Adam Eaton and Chris Sale trades, several players will have opportunities to break out in Chicago. Shortstop Tim Anderson might not just break out, though; the 23-year old might become the new face of the franchise.

Anderson hit .283/.306/.432 with nine home runs, 22 doubles, six triples and 10 stolen bases in 99 games as a rookie in 2016. It was a strong enough debut for the White Sox front office to give the Alabama native a six-year, $25 million contract extension during spring training.

The No. 17 overall pick in the 2013 draft, Anderson moved quickly through the White Sox system because of his talent and athleticism, but he still has some work to do to become a great all around player. A slap hitter with speed, he hit leadoff in June and July before bouncing back and forth between No. 1 and No. 2 in the order the rest of the season. Given a table-setting role, Anderson will need to get on base more often.

Last year, Anderson walked just 13 times in 431 plate appearances – a dreadful 3.0 percent for a top of the order player. He also struck out far too often (27.1 percent), something he showed progress limiting over the course of his four years in the minors that spiked again with his first big league action.

With Sale and Eaton already gone, and just about every other veteran on the roster a candidate to be traded by August, Anderson should be one of the centerpieces of the roster rebuild on the south side. And, given his new contract, it’s clear that Chicago will give him every opportunity to break out in 2017.

Another Name to Know: CF Charlie Tilson

One More for the Future: 2B Yoan Moncada