Rookie Anderson mired in slump

MIAMI – With the everyday grind of a 162-game season, it’s natural for some players to run into physical or mental hurdles down the home stretch.

One of the National League’s top rookies, Brian Anderson is working through a tough spell over the past month. An everyday player for the Marlins — splitting between third base and right field — Anderson has been one of the team’s most consistent offensive players, leading all NL rookies in hits (143), runs scored (76), RBI (58) and doubles (30).

Since August, though, the 25 year old has been mired in a season-worst slump. After hitting .242 in August, Anderson has started off 0 for 14 in September.

“[Anderson] looks tired,” Mattingly said. “He looks more mentally tired than physically tired to me. I think that’s what guys get to at this time of the year. Just the at bats the past three or four days haven’t been very competitive. No matter if you’re getting your hits or not, you’ve got to keep fighting.” Anderson, who’s slashing .271/.354/.750 for the year, has seen his batting average dip 13 points from the beginning of August. Despite leading NL rookies in most offensive categories, Braves outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. and Nationals outfielder Juan Soto have surpassed him in the Rookie of the Year race over the past month.

Mattingly said he hasn’t had a discussion yet with Anderson about his recent struggles, but said it might be nearing that point.

“Guys get mentally tired,” Mattingly said. “Having to get ready to play every day. [But] players on the other teams are tired that are having big months. It’s just an excuse in my mind. You have to be stronger than that mentally to compete, because everybody’s in the same boat. You have to say, ‘Hey I want to be there. I’m not tired.’ Those are the kind of things you have to do mentally to get you over the hump and get an advantage on the field.”