KANSAS CITY, Mo. (670 The Score) -- Already a veteran presence in the White Sox clubhouse even at the age of 25, shortstop Tim Anderson is one to choose his words carefully.
"The Internet is undefeated," Anderson said with a smile in Kansas City on Thursday afternoon.
Anderson knew well what he was saying back in February when star infielder Manny Machado chose the Padres over the White Sox in free agency. With the organization hurting and the fan base frustrated, Anderson had his words ready: Ride with us or get run over.
Anderson wanted his White Sox teammates, the front office and their fans to know they didn't need Machado for a chance at winning a World Series championship in the coming years.
"It's all about us," Anderson said. "We got the guys who we got here. We're not worried about anybody else. It's just one of those things, we're taking what we got and we're ready to roll. It's all about us here."
For the White Sox to be one of baseball's surprise teams in 2019 and to progress in the third year of their rebuild, it will require not just what's provided by general manager Rick Hahn and manager Rick Renteria but also a player-led movement.
Now in his fourth season with the White Sox, Anderson has emerged as a key leader. He's soft spoken and admittedly not a vocal player, but when Anderson talks, teammates listen. When he sets an example, they follow.
"There was always this edge element to him, this edge to him, that we thought was going to serve him well in that clubhouse role," Hahn said of Anderson. "He has not disappointed in that regard in any way. You're going to see that continue to grow here over this summer and over the next few years."
Added Renteria: "Everybody's really happy with where he's going, how he has grown."
Drafted in the first round by the White Sox in 2013, Anderson has been inconsistent in his first three MLB seasons. He has a career slash line of .258/.286/.411 and has a 4.2 WAR, per Fangraphs.
Hahn hopes Anderson can improve his plate discipline -- he has a career 3.4 percent walk rate -- and become more polished defensively. He did hit 20 home runs and steal 26 bases in 2018, reminding of the power and speed elements the White Sox were enamored with when they drafted him.
In Anderson, the White Sox have a young player leading them forward with a sharpened demeanor. They hope he can lead them with his performance too.
"We're all ready to show what we can do," Anderson said. "It's going to be a good season."
Chris Emma covers the Bears, Chicago's sports scene and more for 670TheScore.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670.
