Braves news: Best friends fighting for final Atlanta rotation spot

A pair of Atlanta Braves roommates will battle for the last spot in their starting rotation.

Between Ian Anderson and Mike Soroka, only one of these two best friends will end up being the No. 5 starter in the Atlanta Braves’ rotation.

Anderson and Soroka will once again be rooming together during Braves Spring Training. Shockingly, we are at a crossroads where only one of them will be a starting pitcher for Atlanta out of camp. Soroka has dealt with major setbacks after rupturing his Achilles twice. Anderson’s well-documented struggles had him sent down to Triple-A Gwinnett during the second half of last year.

Here is what Soroka had to say about his best friend on the team to Mark Bowman of MLB.com.

"“[Ian is] definitely my best friend on the team,” said Soroka to Mark Bowman of MLB.com. “We’ve been together for a long time. It’s ironic that we had never played together before being at Triple-A last year. I think we’re both fairly mature and understanding that we’re both going to do what we need to do. We both wish the best for each other.”"

The other rotation spots belong to Max Fried, Charlie Morton, Spencer Strider and Kyle Wright.

Will it be Anderson or Soroka who joins the starting rotation quartet to make it an Atlanta quintet?

Best friends Ian Anderson, Mike Soroka to battle for Atlanta Braves rotation spot

Aqualung vs. The Calgary Flame. Change-ups vs. sliders. Either way, both are going to end up contributing to the 2023 Braves in some capacity, assuming injuries do not derail them again. Soroka was an All-Star in 2019 and was a Cy Young candidate entering 2020 before he blew out his Achilles. Anderson was a godsend that season as a rookie, but he has had control issues since.

All things equal, Soroka’s stuff is better and does not have to be as location-reliant as Anderson’s. However, things are not equal, as we have yet to see Soroka pitch in a meaningful game in two seasons. It is why Anderson probably has the edge over Soroka out of camp because an extended spring is not the worst thing in the world for Soroka in his ongoing recovery from his Achilles tear.

Truth be told, Atlanta will be incredibly fortunate if Fried, Morton, Strider and Wright all shine this season. Fried is in a contract year with massive expectations. Morton is not getting any younger. Strider dealt with injuries last year down the stretch in his breakout season. Wright had miserable campaigns in 2020 and 2021 before being a 21-game winner last year. There are no guarantees.

Regardless, Atlanta should be on the shortlist of about five teams who can win the World Series.