Tigers' Anderson succeeding with ultra-aggressive approach at Triple-A

Does anyone have any doubt that the Tigers nailed their first three picks of the 2023 Draft?

First-rounder Max Clark (MLB No. 8) is on track to become a top-of-the-order staple and plus defender in center field, Kevin McGonigle has already established himself as a force at the big league level and Max Anderson, the No. 45 overall pick, is following up a breakout 2025 season with another strong campaign.

Clark and McGonigle have resided atop prospect rankings for the past few years, but Anderson kind of flew under the radar for the most part. So let’s dig into his year so far and see what has been working.

After starting the season on the shelf with an unspecified injury, Anderson began a rehab assignment with Single-A Lakeland on April 30. He posted a 1.144 OPS across five games and was activated and added to Triple-A Toledo’s roster on May 7. The Tigers’ No. 4 prospect has been in a groove ever since.

Entering Monday, Anderson has slashed .338/.357/.477 with two homers and 13 RBIs through 16 games for the Mud Hens. He collected knocks in each of his first 12 contests and delivered a career-high five hits and a homer on May 12.

“I feel like with the recovery process from an injury nowadays, they build you up so much that you’re pretty ready to get back in the game,” Anderson said. “I feel really healthy right now, so it’s been good to just get back to playing.”

Last season, Anderson started to tap into the power he displayed in college. The former Nebraska Cornhusker -- who crushed 38 homers over three collegiate seasons -- finished tied for third in Detroit’s system with 19 big flies in 122 contests, reaching Triple-A for 32 games at the end of the season.

He bolstered that output in the Arizona Fall League, slashing .447/.609/.809 and slugging four homers over 14 games. Anderson paced the circuit in OBP and OPS and walked twice as much as he struck out (18 BB/9 K's) en route to All-AFL Team honors.

“That was an awesome experience,” said Anderson of his time in the desert. “We had a great coaching staff out there.”

While his offense led the headlines, Anderson credits his time in Arizona for getting him into better shape. Spending most days with McGonigle -- the 2025 Fall League MVP and one of his closest friends in the system -- Anderson worked on improving his off-the-field routine.

In addition to enhancing his workouts, the Tigers have helped the 24-year-old infielder with his bat path. During cage sessions, Anderson focuses on sending balls to the top part of the netting, striving to replicate a good launch angle.

The slight tweaks have helped Anderson tap into his above-average power while keeping the same approach at the dish -- basically just swinging a ton.

In 2025, he had a 56.5% swing rate, a number that has been even higher in limited action this season. Anderson ranks in the 99th percentile in both swing rate (65.1%) and in-zone swing rate (85.9%) among Triple-A hitters, while still managing to deliver a strong 14% strikeout rate and .287 xBA (90th percentile).

“I have to rein it in sometimes, but that’s just who I’ve always been,” Anderson said. “When I’m on, I’m swinging at pitches and connecting a lot.”

The Tigers have encouraged Anderson to keep his swing-first mindset but are working with him to take more walks. So far this season, he has taken just five free passes compared to 14 strikeouts.

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Just one level away from the bigs, Anderson hopes to improve his defense and continue to refine his approach. His top goal is to continue to develop without changing how he plays.

“Be aggressive and hit the ball,” Anderson said about what he brings to a lineup. “That’s the thing that’s gotten me here. So, just be myself and when my time comes, I’ll be ready.”