Saturday, April 12

NORTH PORT, Fla. -- Motivated by the Braves’ choice to start AJ Smith-Shawver in Game 1 of last year’s Wild Card Series against the Padres, Ian Anderson has come to Spring Training determined to win a rotation spot and prove he can be the same guy who helped Atlanta win the 2021 World Series. 

“I’m just really trying to get back to where I was,” Anderson said. “I think that’s a big part of it. I realized that what I was, was pretty damn good for a while.”

Anderson finished fifth in National League Rookie of the Year balloting in 2021 and he owns a 1.26 ERA in eight career postseason starts. How impressive is that? It’s the lowest ERA by any pitcher with at least eight postseason starts since earned runs became official in 1913.

But injuries halted Anderson’s rise just when it looked as if he was going to live up to the expectations of being selected third overall in the 2016 MLB Draft. He posted a 5.00 ERA over 22 starts in 2022 and spent the final two months of that season with Triple-A Gwinnett. In hindsight, the struggles might have been the earliest indication of a physical ailment. 

“He’s been through a lot at a young age,” Braves manager Brian Snitker said. “He’s experienced a lot, and that’s why I’m excited to see him. I know he loves to compete and loves to pitch. I know he’s worked his tail off to get back the past couple years. I hope it works out for him.”

Anderson was optioned to Gwinnett a couple weeks into Spring Training in 2023 and he underwent Tommy John surgery a little more than a month later. The 26-year-old hurler posted a 3.96 ERA in 10 starts for Gwinnett after returning to action last summer.

Despite Anderson’s postseason experience and success, when the Braves ran out of options from the MLB staff, they chose Smith-Shawver to start Game 1 in San Diego. The right-hander, Atlanta’s No. 2 prospect from 2024, allowed three runs and recorded just four outs.

“I understand the decision, but I was definitely disappointed,” Anderson said.

Did this light a fire under Anderson?

“Yeah, one that was already burning,” he said.

Like many pitchers recovering from Tommy John surgery, Anderson’s velocity dipped after he pitched for a couple months last year. He has come to camp feeling good about his arm strength and confident in his ability to secure one of the two available rotation spots. 

“I’ve watched video and I saw him throw a side the other day,” Snitker said. “I’ll kind of zero in on him when he starts facing hitters and pitching in games.”

Anderson and Grant Holmes, who are both out of options, are projected as the favorites to fill the two available spots. One of the two could move to the bullpen when Spencer Strider returns from right elbow surgery in late April.

If Anderson gets back to where he was when he burst on the scene in 2020 and extended his success into the next year, he’ll do more than just fill an immediate need. His ability to bounce back could strengthen Atlanta’s rotation over the next few years.

“I know my situation,” Anderson said. “Now, it’s just about going out and doing it.”

Who has made the most postseason starts for the Braves?

A. John Smoltz

B. Greg Maddux

C. Tom Glavine

D. Max Fried

Ronald Acuña Jr. has been hitting balls to the moon, sprinting and displaying his usual energy during the early days of camp. But the 2023 NL MVP still has a lot of hurdles to clear as he attempts to return from the torn left ACL he suffered near the end of May last year. It’s nice to see him running freely, but he still hasn’t tested the surgically repaired knee with cutting exercises. 

Given that Acuña struggled in 2022 while dealing with lingering discomfort after tearing his right ACL in 2021, does it make more sense to give him extra time during his current recovery?

“He’ll probably be able to give us more insight than anybody, since he has experienced it before,” Snitker said. “When we ramp up, I’m sure the [medical staff] will be aware of [what happened in 2022]. It might be when you’re off [for a long time], you may just have to go through that stuff to get you back to where you want to be.”

Chris Sale credited much of his 2024 success to the fact he was coming off a normal offseason for the first time since he exited the 2018 season as a World Series champion with the Red Sox. So, it was encouraging to hear the reigning NL Cy Young Award winner say that he also got through this past winter without any health restrictions.

Strider and A.J. Minter proclaimed “World Series or bust” ahead of last year’s frustration-filled season. Read here to see what the Braves think about making a similar proclamation heading into the upcoming season.

A. Tom Glavine

Glavine’s 32 postseason starts are the most in franchise history, followed by Maddux and Smoltz with 27 apiece.

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