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Atlanta Braves REVISED Top 10 Prospects for 2017

By Benjamin Chase

Mar 15, 2015; Lake Buena Vista, FL, USA; The Atlanta Braves logo painted on the field during a spring training baseball game at Champion Stadium. The Toronto Blue Jays beat the Atlanta Braves 10-5. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 15, 2015; Lake Buena Vista, FL, USA; The Atlanta Braves logo painted on the field during a spring training baseball game at Champion Stadium. The Toronto Blue Jays beat the Atlanta Braves 10-5. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /
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8. Ian Anderson, RHP

Birthdate: 5/2/98 (18 years old)
Level(s) Played in 2016: Rookie
Stats in 2016: 39 2/3 IP, 2.04 ERA, 1.13 WHIP, 7.64 BB%, 22.93 K%

Many of those who cover the draft closely (including myself) were surprised to hear Anderson’s name called at #3. I had been hearing about the Braves’ heavy interest in Anderson, but was certain it was at their pick at #40 or #44, not at #3!

Anderson was not able to get on the mound when much of the industry was out doing scouting and when many of the teams were doing their heaviest of scouting due to an oblique injury and an illness.

Once he got on the mound in May, he was incredibly impressive, and many times, it was only the Braves who were at his starts, and they were incredibly impressed by his three plus-level pitches.

(the Braves) were incredibly impressed by his three plus-level pitches

Anderson can touch upper 90s with his fastball with excellent movement, and he pairs that with a tremendous change up. The big difference from the summer of 2015 to what was seen in 2016 was that his curve went from an average offering to what many scouts considered his best pitch.

He’ll start the season at 18 years old, and there’s a good chance he starts the season at full-season Rome as an 18-year-old, which is a big sign of the Braves’ faith in his mental and physical make up.

Next: #7

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