Coming off a 101-win marketing campaign, the Braves once more seem like one of many high groups within the National League. There aren’t many areas of concern on the roster. On the place participant aspect, all however shortstop and left area have established options who ought to play at someplace between an above-average and star stage if wholesome. The bullpen is without doubt one of the sport’s greatest, and the highest 4 starters of Max Fried, Spencer Strider, Kyle Wright and Charlie Morton is elite.
There is a bit of little bit of uncertainty as to who’ll spherical out the beginning workers, nevertheless. Atlanta has a handful of pitchers vying for the ultimate rotation spot in Spring Training. A pair have had some huge league success however struggled with underperformance or damage not too long ago. Another is a much less confirmed, youthful expertise.
Ian Anderson
At this time a 12 months in the past, it’d have appeared silly to image Anderson preventing for a rotation spot at any level within the close to future. Heading into 2022, the previous third general choose carried a 3.25 ERA with a 24.5% strikeout fee in 30 profession common season begins. He’d twice excelled on the postseason stage. Anderson regarded like an higher mid-rotation arm, a key starter each within the current and over the approaching seasons.
The 2022 marketing campaign was the primary during which the righty bumped into hassle. He made 22 huge league begins however allowed 5 earned runs per 9 innings throughout 111 2/3 frames. Anderson’s strikeout fee fell to a personal-low 19.7% clip, though he nonetheless picked up swinging strikes on an above-average 12.3% of his whole choices. While he did a strong job maintaining the ball on the bottom, he surrendered a bit of extra arduous contact than he had in prior seasons. Anderson additionally walked a career-high 11% of opposing hitters.
With Atlanta within the thick of a division race, they optioned the struggling Anderson to Triple-A Gwinnett in early August. He began 4 video games there, posting related numbers as he had within the majors. His season was lower brief when he strained his left indirect in the course of September.
Anderson is simply 24 years previous and positively able to bouncing again from the down 12 months. His common fastball velocity was down marginally final 12 months however nonetheless checked in at a strong 94 MPH. He owns one of many sport’s higher changeups. Anderson’s curveball was rather less efficient, with the dearth of an impression breaking ball contributing to a disappointing .313/.375/.511 line in 253 plate appearances in opposition to same-handed hitters final season. Anderson advised reporters final week he’s engaged on a brand new slider to attempt to add a weapon to take care of righty batters (hyperlink by way of David O’Brien of the Athletic).
Bryce Elder
A fifth-round select of Texas in 2020, Elder flew by means of the minor leagues. He was within the majors by April of his second full skilled season. The 6’2″ righty began 9 of his first ten MLB contests, posting a 3.17 ERA by means of 54 innings. That got here with strikeout and stroll numbers every a bit worse than league common (20.7% and 10.1%, respectively) however a high quality 49.3% ground-ball share.
He had an extended run in Gwinnett, beginning 17 of 18 video games. Elder’s 4.46 ERA in 105 Triple-A innings wasn’t as spectacular as his MLB run prevention mark, however his peripherals had been stronger throughout the board. He punched out 22.2% of opponents, stored walks to a 7.3% clip and racked up grounders at a 55.9% fee.
The 23-year-old isn’t overpowering, averaging solely 90.7 MPH on his sinker throughout his MLB motion. He persistently stored the ball down within the minor leagues, although, posting grounder numbers on over half the batted balls he allowed at each cease. Elder virtually carried that over in opposition to huge league competitors in his first crack and may some aptitude for avoiding arduous contact — thanks largely to a cutter and slider he was snug deploying in opposition to lefties and righties alike.
Mike Soroka
Soroka, one other ground-ball specialist, was one of many sport’s high younger pitchers not too way back. An All-Star at 21, he completed sixth in NL Cy Young balloting after posting a 2.68 ERA by means of 28 begins as a rookie in 2019. That got here on the energy of a superb 51.2% grounder share and tiny 5.8% stroll fee, with Soroka demonstrating uncommon polish for a pitcher his age.
Unfortunately, a brutal sequence of accidents has restricted him to 3 huge league outings since then. Those got here within the abbreviated 2020 season earlier than he blew out his proper Achilles. After a 12 months of rehab, the identical factor occurred once more shortly earlier than he may make his return to a mound. He misplaced all of 2021 and virtually all of ’22 recovering. Soroka returned from the injured record to start out 5 Triple-A video games late final 12 months however felt some soreness in his elbow — not surprising for a pitcher coming off such an extended layoff — and was shut down for precautionary causes.
While the Achilles and elbow issues are hopefully behind him, Soroka has once more been slowed up by his physique this spring. He skilled some hamstring soreness that’ll delay his stepping into Spring Training video games for just a few weeks. It’s not believed to be a significant concern, however the righty candidly referred to as it “a kick in the groin” given how a lot work he’s put in rehabbing from different accidents the previous few seasons. It stays to be seen whether or not he’ll be capable of totally construct up for Opening Day.
Other Possibilities
It seems as if the early battle for the fifth starter job comes all the way down to one of many three pitchers above (with Soroka maybe behind the others given his hamstring problem). However, just a few others may discover themselves in place to vie for reps sooner or later through the season, significantly if one or two of Atlanta’s high 4 starters suffers an damage.
Kolby Allard, a former Braves first-round choose, was acquired again from the Rangers in the beginning of the winter for Jake Odorizzi. He has a 6.07 ERA in 65 huge league contests however occupies a 40-man roster spot. The identical is true of Darius Vines, whose contract was chosen in the beginning of the offseason to maintain him from the Rule 5 draft. He’s by no means pitched within the majors however posted a 3.95 ERA with a 28.5% strikeout fee over 20 Double-A begins to earn a late-season bump to Gwinnett.
Former Cubs righty Matt Swarmer signed a minor league deal over the weekend and is in camp as a non-roster invitee. 2020 first-rounder Jared Shuster had a powerful begin at Double-A earlier than a extra common efficiency in Gwinnett final season. He’s not but on the 40-man roster and one of many higher prospects in a now-thin Atlanta farm system.
