IAN ANDERSON DAY
Shenendehowa’s Ian Anderson set to start for Atlanta against the Yankees on Wednesday
ATLANTA, GA » It’s a day that big league ball players only get once. Shenendehowa’s Ian Anderson will be making his major league debut for the Atlanta Braves, as he gets the start on Wednesday, August 25, 2020 after a postponement pushed his start back by one day.
The 22-year-old righthanded pitcher was drafted third overall by Atlanta in the 2016 draft. He went 7-5, with a 3.38 ERA last season in the minors, striking out 172 batters over 135.2 innings between Double-A Mississippi and Triple-A
Gwinnett.
“His former teammates, coaches and the entire community are so are excited for him. I’m sure he’s got a lot going through his head right now during the pregame,” said Shenendehowa Head Coach Greg Christodulu.
While the Clifton Park native will be going up against the squad from his home state, the New York Yankees, he’s had some practice at rooting against them as he grew up a fan of the Boston Red Sox.
“That was his father’s doing, both Ian and Ben (Ian’s twin) were Sox fans,” Christodulu joked.
The excitement around Clifton Park and the Capital Region has been wide spread, starting with his family, former teammates, coaches and cross-field counterparts.
“I have been waiting for that phone call since the day [you] were drafted! Can’t say enough of how proud of you we all are! Tonight will be a very special night! Let’s Go !!!! ,” tweeted Bob Anderson, Ian’s father.
Anderson has been widely regarded as one of the top prospects in all of Major League Baseball, not to mention the Braves organization. The starting pitcher will wear #48 in his debut, which starts at 7:10 p.m. at Truist Park, as the Braves look to hold their lead atop the NL East division.
Section 2 athletics also sent out their support to the 2016 New York State champion.
“Best of luck to Section 2 baseball standout and @ ShenAthletics graduate, @ ian_anderson15 tonight! Making his big league debut against the Yankees!”
Anderson joins his former high school teammate Kevin Huerter in Atlanta, who plays in the NBA for the Hawks.
Another former teammate and current Saint Rose pitcher, Frankie Pizzo, also reacted to the news.
“Yessir !!!! Got the chills reading this one. Couldn’t be happier for my guy, nobody deserves it more .... go get em’ kid,” Pizzo said in a retweet of the Atlanta Braves.
Christodulu describes his former ace as a “quiet assassin.”
“He’s a great teammate, has great character and is a fierce competitor. I call him a quiet assassin. When the competition got great, he was able to bear down even more. It’s going to be interesting to watch him face off against [Gerrit] Cole and the Yankees tonight. We’re all rooting for him,” Christodulu said.