Fellow Atlanta Braves fans, it may be time to get excited about Ian Anderson again. The 26-year-old pitcher delivered a stellar performance for the Gwinnett Stripers, helping the team secure a commanding 13-2 win over the Buffalo Bisons.
Anderson tossed six innings of one-run ball, giving up just four hits and three walks while fanning six batters. His control was on point, too, as he threw 59 of his 96 pitches for strikes, showing that he’s regained some of that sharpness we’ve come to expect.
If you’ve been keeping tabs on Anderson since August, you’ll notice the consistency. He’s gone at least five innings in every start and posted a respectable 3.54 ERA with 40 strikeouts in 38 1/3 innings pitched. These numbers are solid, and they could be his ticket back to the Major Leagues.
What a night from Ian Anderson:
6.0 IP | 3 H | 0 R | 2 BB | 7 K pic.twitter.com/bgLteu6FLq
— Gwinnett Stripers (@GoStripers) August 16, 2024
With Reynaldo López leaving Tuesday night’s Braves game against the Washington Nationals after just one inning due to shoulder tightness, the door for Anderson’s return might be opening. September is always an interesting month for call-ups, and Anderson’s recent performance makes him a candidate to step in if needed. And who wouldn’t love to see him back in a Braves uniform after two long years?
It’s been a rough road for Anderson. His last appearance with the Braves was back in August 2022, and things took a sharp turn after that. Demoted to Triple-A Gwinnett, he struggled with injuries and eventually underwent Tommy John surgery after just one appearance in 2023. Now, Tommy John surgery may be common, almost a rite of passage for pitchers these days, but it’s never easy.
Despite the setbacks, Anderson has been grinding his way back, starting with rehab stints in the complex league, Single-A, and High-A before settling into Gwinnett’s rotation in late July. This journey of persistence and patience mirrors what we saw in his legendary 2021 postseason. Remember that? Anderson was lights-out, boasting a 1.59 ERA in four postseason starts, including a scoreless gem in Game 3 of the World Series.
Of course, there’s competition for a potential Braves rotation spot. Names like Bryce Elder, Dylan Dodd, Hurston Waldrep, and A.J. Smith-Shawver are all on the radar. But Anderson’s experience and resurgence make him a strong candidate.
Whether it happens this September or later, Ian Anderson could be writing another chapter in his comeback story soon.
