The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Snitker very ‘ confifident’ in Anderson’s mound skills
Braves starter Ian Anderson was set for his third spring start Friday night against the Twins. He’s pitched 5⅓ i nnings t hus far, allowing three earned runs while striking out nine and walking t wo.
Anderson, 22, is right where the Braves hoped he’d be.
“I like where he’s at,” manager Brian Snitker said. “I think he’s been great. I wasn’t looking for anything in particular out of him. I just see a very confifident young man. He’s done exactly what we thought he’d do. I don’t expect him to come in and be perfect every day. He’s still learning. But I like the way he’s throwing the ball, and I feel really confifident having him.”
The right- hander is coming offff a stellar rookie season. Anderson debuted during a time of desperation. The Braves’ rotation was decimated, and they needed a consistent innings- eater. Anderson, despite that added pressure, excelled from day one.
Anderson had a 1.95 ERA in six starts, striking out 41 in 32⅓ innings. He was even better in Oc t ober, post i ng a 0.9 6 ERA i n f our playoff s t ar t s . Anderson became the fifirst pitcher in Braves hi s t or y not t o al l ow a run in three consecutive postseason starts.
Entering 2021, the Braves are counting on Anderson sustaining that level. The team added t wo veterans to its rotation this winter — Charlie Morton and Drew Smyly — to complement its blossoming trio of Mike Soroka, Max Fried and Anderson.
Other notes from Friday:
■ Soroka pitched another simulated game Friday. Though the Braves aren’t sure if he’ll pitch i n a spring t raining game, he remains on track to return sometime early in the regular season, which would be a welcome outcome after Soroka tore his Achilles last August.
“Everything i s going good,” Snitker said. “He’s throwing a sim game today. He’s right where they have him right now.”
■ Bryse Wilson will make his fourth spring appearance today when he starts against Boston. Wilson, who’s vying for a rotation spot should Soroka be unavailable to begin the season, has allowed t wo r uns i n nine i nnings t hi s spring. He pitched four scoreless innings in his previous outing Monday against the Twins.