In the game of baseball, it is often the case that when a guy is on the shelf for a while, it is very much a "out of sight, out of mind" situation. For some, there is concern that a guy will not be able to come back and produce and others just forget that said player even exists if they are out for long enough. Both appear to be the case in a lot of respects when it comes to the Atlanta Braves' Ian Anderson.
It really wasn't that long ago that Anderson was considered to be a future foundational piece of the Braves' rotation. In the 2020 and 2021 seasons combined, Anderson posted a 3.25 ERA and he even threw five no-hit innings in Game 3 of the 2021 World Series. Unfortunately, Anderson faltered in 2022 and eventually needed Tommy John surgery in early 2023.
Anderson returned in 2024 and pitched pretty well in the minors, but the Braves decided to not bring him back up to the majors even as injuries began to pile up late in the season. However, the Braves' hand may be forced with Anderson in 2025 and Braves beat writer Mark Bowman seems to think, at least for the moment, that he would make the Braves' Opening Day rotation.
Another nice night for Ian Anderson👏
— Gwinnett Stripers (@GoStripers) August 23, 2024
5.2 IP | 6 H | 2 ER | 0 BB | 7 K pic.twitter.com/4S9R7NioTm
Ian Anderson could easily factor into the Braves' 2025 plans
While Bowman was clear that things could change based on what happens the rest of the offseason and other internal options like AJ Smith-Shawver and Bryce Elder are certainly in play as well, it is hard to argue with the reasoning here. Not only does Anderson have experience starting in the majors including in some big games, but he is also out of minor league options so the Braves will have to make a decision on Anderson either way this year.
There is a lot of merit to at least give Anderson one last shot in the Braves' rotation. Yes, he has shown some flaws in the past with his pitch mix especially with his spin issues and his breaking stuff, but the guy has real arm talent and there is a realistic chance that he has made adjustments since getting hurt that will allow his stuff to play up. After all, the guy did post a 3.44 ERA in 15 starts at Triple-A in his first look back after rehab.
However, the Braves clearly are not sold on this Anderson/Holmes plan in their rotation while Spencer Strider recovers. They just tried to bring in Jeff Hoffman to start before the deal fell through and the odds are good that they will continue to explore the starting pitching market. One probably shouldn't bet on Anderson making his return to the Braves' rotation right now, but it is very much in the cards.