CHICAGO -- Tim Anderson worked extensively on his timing at the plate during the past Chicago winter months making up the offseason. And did that work pay off for the talented White Sox shortstop?

Try a rise of .95 points batting, average-wise, from .240 in 2018 to .335 in ’19, not to mention an American League batting crown. The move toward a more upright stance, among other nuances, worked for the 26-year-old in his fourth big league season.

“I never knew it was going to be like this,” Anderson said. “I just continue to work. This year was huge, coming in with a lot of confidence and just believing and trusting in the work that I've been doing. Here we are now.”

What Went Right?

Anderson became the third player in White Sox history to capture a batting title, joining the Hall of Fame company of Frank Thomas and Luke Appling (who won it twice). Anderson accomplished this goal despite missing June 26 to July 29 with a high right ankle sprain, hitting .357 over the 53 games after his return.

Anderson became a sort of tactician with the bat at the end of the year. Although he has the power to hit 25-30 home runs, having knocked out 55 over the past three seasons, he showed the ability to take what the pitchers were giving him. He had 12 multihit games, two four-hit games and three hitless games in September.

“A little added level of confidence has come this year as well as some modest tweaks mechanically that have helped unlock that,” White Sox general manager Rick Hahn said. “Obviously the baseball gods have smiled upon him too for the most part, and it's been a sensational year for Timmy. He should go into this offseason very proud of what he's accomplished and at the same time knowing he's also capable of doing even better.”

What Went Wrong?

His .335 average topped the Majors, but so did Anderson’s 26 errors. Anderson made a major step forward with his play at shortstop in 2018 and is focused on the same sort of improvement going into ‘20. White Sox manager Rick Renteria talked about Anderson cleaning up the direction and the way Anderson follows through to make his throws, but he also believes the defensive mistake factor goes hand and hand with Anderson’s ability to get to baseballs other shortstops won’t reach.

“Sometimes he's throwing from a lower angle, even from deep short,” Renteria said. “That's a little tougher because the ball ends up fading. You've got to stay on top and through the ball.

“I like Timmy at shortstop, and he will get better. What are my goals for him? To cut everything in half, in terms of the errors. Is he capable of doing that? Yes.

“People didn't think he could make the play deep in the hole,” Renteria said. “Now he's making the play in the hole, he's covering both left and right, laterally speaking, and angularly coming in from the deep position. It's just about getting comfortable and redirecting and getting a much truer line to first base when he makes a throw, which will cut down on possibly some of those errors on the throws he makes.”

Best Moment?

Two come to mind for Anderson.

On April 17 at home against the Royals, Anderson launched a Brad Keller pitch deep into the left-field stands and followed with a signature bat flip looking more like a javelin toss. Anderson was celebrating squarely connecting with this Keller pitch, but it also announced his national arrival.

Fast forward to the last regular-season contest at home against the Tigers, with Anderson already out of the game. The White Sox put Anderson’s batting title on the center field scoreboard, leading to a standing ovation from the crowd and his return to the field for a curtain call.

2020 Outlook

The term “leader” often times gets overused, but Anderson is the heart and soul of this rebuilding squad moving into contention. His absence clearly was felt during the White Sox 4-16 stretch after the All-Star break with Anderson out of action for all but three of those games.

There’s a possibility Anderson won’t reach .335 or a batting title status next season. But Anderson can beat a team in so many ways and should continue to mature both defensively and as an overall offensive presence.