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Atlanta Braves pitching: Who wins the battle for the fifth rotation spot?

ByChris Stephens|
Aug 3, 2020; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Mike Soroka (40) throws against the New York Mets in the first inning at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 3, 2020; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Mike Soroka (40) throws against the New York Mets in the first inning at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
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Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Bryce Elder
Sep 26, 2022; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Bryce Elder (55) celebrates after the final out against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Bryce Elder

Elder is the wild card in this competition. He has to arsenal to be a quality big-league pitcher, and he showed as much last year in his final five starts of the year.

During this time, Elder was dominant, pitching 32.2 innings, striking out 26% of hitters, and had a 1.65 ERA and a 2.41 FIP. A large part of it was his filthy slider:

What’s working against Elder is the fact that Soroka and Anderson are starting out ahead of him, so he has to make an impression to jump over both, or hope that both falter.

If it doesn’t happen, Elder will start out the year in Triple-A, but could force the Braves’ hand in the same way Strider did a year ago.

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