Ian Anderson DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Ian Anderson completed a live bullpen session on Wednesday. The right-hander's fastball sat around 92-93 mph. In 2021, his fastball averaged a slightly higher 94.6 mph. Anderson has battled numerous injuries over the past two seasons, including Tommy John. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status during spring training as he could contend for a spot in the rotation with Spencer Strider (elbow) set to miss the first month. Last season, Anderson spent most of his campaign with Triple-A, holding a 3.96 ERA and a 1.43 WHIP across 52 1/3 innings of work. He struck out 53 batters. He last appeared in the majors during the 2022 campaign, where he held a career-worst 5.00 ERA and a 1.51 WHIP. The former top prospect performed well during his first two MLB seasons, holding a 3.25 ERA and 1.20 WHIP. He will likely compete for the final spot in the rotation alongside AJ Smith-Shawver, Hurston Waldrep, and Bryce Elder.

Atlanta Braves right-handers Ian Anderson, AJ Smith-Shawver and Bryce Elder are all candidates to start Game 1 of the wild-card series against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park on Tuesday. Anderson has some of the best postseason numbers of all time, but he hasn't pitched in the big leagues since 2022. The Braves may wait as long as possible to announce their starter against the Padres. Anderson has a 1.26 ERA in 35 2/3 innings pitched in the postseason, including a 1.04 WHIP with 40 strikeouts and 17 walks, but he'd be a pretty big dice role for Atlanta to kick off the three-game series. In 15 minor-league stops at four different levels this year, he had a 3.44 ERA and 1.28 WHIP with 68 strikeouts and 29 walks in 68 innings. Smith-Shawver made just one start for Atlanta this year and has six starts since debuting in 2023. Elder was an All-Star in 2023 but had an ERA over 6.00 in his 10 starts this year.

Atlanta Braves right-hander Ian Anderson (elbow) threw three scoreless innings while allowing one hit, striking out one and walking one on Sunday in a minor-league rehab start for Low-A Augusta. Before this outing, Anderson pitched twice for the Florida Complex League Braves and struck out seven and walked none as he continues his recovery from Tommy John surgery that he had in April of 2023. The Braves are hoping to have him available to make his 2024 debut after the All-Star break in mid-July. The 26-year-old got up to 46 pitches (29 strikes) in his outing on Sunday and is expected to make at least two more rehab starts before he becomes an option for the Braves' starting rotation in the second half of the season. Anderson struggled to a 5.00 ERA and 1.51 WHIP with a 97:54 K:BB in 22 starts back in 2022, and fantasy managers would be wise to temper expectations when he returns this year.

Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Ian Anderson (elbow) made his second minor-league rehab start for the Florida Complex League Braves on Monday. The 26-year-old pitched three innings, allowing one earned run on three hits, no walks, and a hit batsman while striking out three. Over two rehab starts, the righty hasn't issued a walk and has struck out seven in five innings of work. The former first-round draft pick is expected to move on to one of the higher Braves affiliates for his next start, but a decision hasn't been made yet on where that will be.

Despite the fact that the Atlanta Braves optioned right-hander Ian Anderson (elbow) to Triple-A Gwinnett on Monday, the 25-year-old remains on track in his recovery from Tommy John surgery last April and has been throwing long toss from 120 feet in camp. He's hoping to be an option for Atlanta's starting rotation around the All-Star break. The former first-rounder in 2016 went 12-7 with a 3.25 ERA and 1.20 WHIP with 165 K's in 30 starts in 2020-21 before recording a 5.00 ERA in 2022 and being sent to the minors, where he injured his oblique. It remains to be seen if Anderson can return to his pre-injury level, when he was named the team's organizational Pitcher of the Year in 2019 with 172 K's in 135 2/3 innings. Anderson has slightly altered his straight over-the-top pitching motion and is using his legs more to put less stress on his arm.