Spring training has begun for the Atlanta Braves and with it the competition for the final spots in the Atlanta rotation. Spencer Strider offered an encouraging update but won't be ready for the start of Atlanta's season. The team must also replace Max Fried who signed with the New York Yankees this past offseason. This leaves the team searching to fill two rotation spots until Strider is able to return. The early favorites are Grant Holmes and Ian Anderson
Holmes is most likely to be a short-term starter reverting to the long reliever role once the rotation is fully healthy. Anderson, however, is a far more interesting option that could prove to be the missing piece. Anderson spent the 2020-22 seasons as a part of Atlanta's rotation. Regression in 2022 and injuries would ruin the next two seasons of the starter's career.
Ian Anderson Could Prove to Be Missing Piece to Solidify Atlanta's Rotation
Anderson had a great first two seasons with Atlanta before taking a major step back in the 2022 season. Before this, the starter was not only considered an important piece of the team's future but was a proven postseason performer. Anderson owns a 4-0 postseason record with a 1.26 ERA in 35.2 innings pitched. The moment was never too big despite the lack of experience.
Despite an awful 2022 season, Anderson's career numbers remain impressive in the regular season as well. The starter's struggles seemed far more mental than a sudden lack of ability. With a large sample size, the poor results were the outlier ahead of Anderson's injury.
Now the starter will have another chance to reclaim his role and solidify the rotation. If Anderson can perform at the level of an aging Charlie Morton, it is considered a win. This is the rotation spot you want to put Anderson into with Chris Sale, Reynaldo Lopez, and Spencer Schwellenbach filling out the first three spots in the rotation.
The Braves aren't looking for Anderson to completely turn back the clock and be a top-of-the-rotation arm. The expectation is simply to be a capable innings eater that can hang in games 5-6 innings and give the offense a chance.
With this standard in mind, Ian Anderson is the perfect fit for the Braves rotation and could find himself winning back the role he lost two seasons ago. There won't be a better chance as Atlanta searches to replace Morton, Fried, and Strider at the start of the 2025 season.