It’s a setup

If you’ve ever wondered how at live sporting events groups of students are yelling right when the camera is on them, it’s because it’s set up ahead of time before the shot goes live. That happened a few times at Kennesaw State last Sunday during the NCAA Tournament selection show. The student section would be instructed to be ready and be loud when a live shot was about to take place from the Convocation Center.

Getting extra attention

As Braves lefty Dylan Dodd spoke with reporters Wednesday morning in the Braves’ clubhouse, pitching coach Rick Kranitz walked by and remarked, “Whoa, a lot of attention over here!”

Dodd has made himself a big part of the conversation at Braves camp. He’s one of two finalists for the vacant rotation spot, alongside fellow southpaw Jared Shuster.

Dodd told the Braves, “I’ve been throwing strikes my whole life.” In his past five years — three at Southeast Missouri State and two in the minor leagues — Dodd had 406 strikeouts against 80 walks. He’s struck out 11 without issuing a walk in 8⅓ innings in Grapefruit League play this spring.

While Dodd and Shuster are feeling good about themselves, Ian Anderson and Bryce Elder are not. Both players were optioned to Triple-A last week, losing their bids to earn a rotation spot.

It was particularly disappointing for Anderson, who’s played a pivotal role in the Braves’ recent success. Anderson had pitched in a Game 7, a division-clinching victory and pitched five scoreless innings in a World Series game before turning 24. But his career has hit a snag.

“(Anderson) is still young with a nice career ahead of him,” manager Brian Snitker said. “You have to look at the person, too, when you make those decisions. What’s best for him, let alone the organization and our team. It was best for him to go get right and back to where he was.”

How’s this for mixing young and old? The Braves’ 2023 rotation will feature a player from their 2020 draft class (Spencer Strider) and 2002 draft class (Charlie Morton).

“That’s the secret backbone of our team, the pitching staff,” Strider said. “At least we think of ourselves that way.”

AJC 2022 Braves lefty Dylan Dodd has made himself a big part of the conversation at spring camp. He’s one of two finalists for the fifth rotation spot.