Ian Anderson’s story right now feels like one of those baseball parables—the kind that flickers between promise, pain, and perseverance like a bullpen fastball that just won’t find the zone. A few years ago, Anderson was the Atlanta Braves postseason phenom. Remember that 2021 run? The guy looked unshakable. He was on the big stage with bright lights and delivered like he was born in October.
But fast-forward to 2025, and he’s navigating a baseball wilderness that no pitcher wants to wander—lost command, minor league stints, and a rehab comeback that’s been anything but linear.
Anderson’s Stats Not Looking So Hot
His latest outing for Triple-A Gwinnett? Five innings, three earned runs, five hits, four walks. It’s not exactly a line you hang on the fridge. Just 55% of his pitches found the strike zone.
And the trend isn’t pretty after the first few games. After a solid 2.25 ERA across his first three starts, the wheels have started to wobble, if not come off, with a 6.42 ERA over his last three. A 1.69 WHIP across six games tells you he’s putting far too many runners on and not finding a clean way out.
It’s About the Journey Back More Than Stats
But this isn’t just about stats—it’s about the long climb back. Anderson missed two full years recovering from Tommy John surgery, and you can see it: the rust, the hesitation, the misfires. Spring Training didn’t help. Hopes were high, but the control just wasn’t there.
Then came the trade—a quick flip to the Angels for José Suárez. Blink, and both were designated for assignment. Poof. A one-for-one deal that went nowhere fast.
Back With the Braves and Trying to Bounce Back
Back with the Braves now, Anderson is trying to put Humpty Dumpty back together again. The team is definitely still invested. Manager Brian Snitker isn’t tossing him into the bullpen shadows. Nope—he still sees a starter in Anderson. The raw material is there. He’s just got to figure out how to make it click again.
The silver lining is he’s only 26. That’s young enough to reboot a career, especially one that once dazzled in the postseason spotlight. The tools, the experience—they’re not erased. Just buried a bit beneath the grind.
It’s not easy. And it’s not guaranteed. But if something sparks—if that old fastball command locks back in—Anderson could remind the league who he used to be. And who he still might become.
