3 biggest losers of Atlanta Braves spring training so far
By Drew Koch
1. Biggest losers of Atlanta Braves spring training so far: Ian Anderson
Despite how poorly Ian Anderson has pitched this spring, the right-hander is still in the hunt of the final spot in the Atlanta Braves. Anderson has done absolutely nothing to earn the No. 5 spot in the rotation, but no one else has either.
As was mentioned earlier, Mike Soroka is already out of the competition to be the Braves’ fifth starter due to injury. You can also add former first-round draft choice Kolby Allard to that list as well following reports of a Grade 2 oblique strain.
So it’s now a two-horse race between Anderson and 22-year-old right-hander Bryce Elder. Anderson owns a 7.71 ERA and has allowed two balls to leave the yard. in 4.2 innings so far this spring. Elder hasn’t been much better with a 7.04 ERA through nearly eight innings. Elder has allowed two gopher balls as well.
At the moment, Anderson would probably receive the nod and be given a spot on the Braves Opening Day roster. But this competition could come down to the wire, and if Anderson falters, Elder is lurking and could join the 26-man squad headed back to Atlanta.
We’re about halfway through with spring training and several teams have already begun to make cuts and reassign players to minor league camp. These three players have been the biggest losers in Braves camp this spring, but there’s still time to turn things around.