Braves: Ian Anderson has one goal this season

Perhaps the top storyline of Spring Training is the Braves rotation battle. With Max Fried and Charlie Morton signing elsewhere this offseason and Spencer Strider still sidelined, there are two spots open to begin the year and an interesting mix of arms competing. One of which is Ian Anderson, a postseason hero for the Braves during their 2021 World Series run that has not pitched in the majors since 2022 and recently returned from Tommy John surgery.

The 26-year-old made 15 starts across several levels of the minors last year, 10 of which came in Gwinnett, where he recorded a 3.96 ERA over 10 appearances. It wasn’t eye-popping, but it was a step in the right direction, as Ian Anderson hopes to prove he can still be a dominant pitcher at the highest level.

“Ian Anderson said he’s fueled by the goal of getting back to who he was in the World Series and prior to that. Anderson, if healthy, should be a lock for the roster because he’s out of options and the Braves won’t have Spencer Strider in the rotation on opening day,” Justin Toscano of The Atlanta Journal Constitution reported on Twitter/X. 

Talent combined with relentless determination often leads to positive results, and the Braves hope that’s the case with Ian Anderson. Getting him back into form, along with eventual addition of Spencer Strider, would ease a lot of the concerns going into the season regarding Atlanta’s rotation.

However, while Anderson being out of options will certainly play into the Braves decision, he’s not going to be handed anything. Grant Holmes, who is also out of options, was outstanding for Atlanta last season, and the organization is very high on his potential as a starting pitcher.

Then there are a slew of prospects ready to make the same jump the Braves saw from Spencer Schwellenbach last season, led by AJ Smith-Shawver, who will surely challenge Ian Anderson for that final Opening Day roster spot. Hurston Waldrep and Bryce Elder could also receive consideration.

The triumphant return of Ian Anderson is a storyline every Braves fan is hoping to see this spring. If it’s a close competition, he’ll likely receive the benefit of the doubt. But expectations should be tempered; it’s been well over three years since we last saw Anderson perform at a high enough level to belong in the majors.

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Photo: David J. Griffin/Icon Sportswire