Ian Anderson's stuff

[Russ2dollas]

Maybe now that they've actually seen him.

Braves' prospects are usually over-hyped in general, and substantially so around here. Not by everybody, and not always, but as a rule of thumb there are quite a few folks here that aren't particularly realistic. There's nothing wrong with that - it's called being a fan. Fans only tend to look at a player's ceiling. There was an awful lot of "Anderson's untouchable - AA shouldn't trade him for anybody" around here before he was called up, just as there has been with Wright, Pache, Wright, and the Catchers at times.

Once these kids get called-up and folks actually SEE them, they quickly backtrack and say "we should've traded Waters and Langeliers for Clevinger because we've got Fried and Soroka and 'just a bunch of guys'".

Fans expect everyone to reach their ceilings instead of becoming useful players - Braves fans squint and see another Acuna WHEN (not if) Pache's power COMES (instead of develops).

It's that way every where. You see the same thing in recruiting where guys are great until you see them play. You see it in other sports where people fall in love with draft picks until they see them play. Draft picks in other sports have more trade value than most players.

Hopefully in the future the data will be publicly available from the minor league parks. I hate the contraction of the minor leagues, but maybe it will lead to more concentration of talent so we'll know more about prospects going against elite prospects.

If you actually read a good top 100 prospects list you'll see a lot of guys listed who are "solid regulars" etc. There are only a handful of people who most people put potential star on.

 

[Southcack77]

I feel like this board has been pretty reasonable on Anderson.

Most seem to agree he's a 4 (1.5-2.5 WAR) pitcher with upside.

Yeah, there isn't really a constituency for Anderson as ace.

Most come in with #3 or #4.

The discussion has generally been whether he was a complete waste of a draft pick or not.

Sometimes arguing against that can look like high praise, but it's rare that anyone even puts a #2 on him except as a best case scenario.

 

[Southcack77]

This board is pretty hard on prospects in general.

I'd say Pache and Davidson are the two guys who are most over-hyped at this point.

For the most part, I think the prospects now get a harder time than average around here.

 

[Russ2dollas]

I think people have to read the write ups and not just look at the numbers.

I think Klaw is the highest on Pache in the history of the planet. He had him as a top 5 prospect in Baseball this off season. In the text he's saying Pache is never likely to get to an average OBP. Klaw says he thinks he has the bat control to hit for a decent average and the frame to get 25 home runs. Reads like he's thinking you are getting a 750 OPS type guy.

The reason he's hyped about it is because that 750 OPS guy comes with 80 grade defense in CF.

Nobody is saying Pache is on the same planet as Acuna as a prospect.

 

[Russ2dollas]

I read Klaw's scouting of him on the athletic and he's more positive than most of the board.

Mentioned his FB is not special and people are hitting it. Mentioned as he is seen more the fastball and curve may get hit more.

Basically said he's surprised the curve has been as effective as it has.

Called him an "above average" starter with a chance to be better if the curve gets better.

 

[clvclv]

This board is pretty hard on prospects in general.

I'd say Pache and Davidson are the two guys who are most over-hyped at this point.

For the most part, I think the prospects now get a harder time than average around here.

Go back and re-read how many folks wouldn't put Pache, Waters, or Anderson in ANY deal at the deadline - think you'll be surprised. Not saying I'd deal them either depending on the return, but if you want "now" talent while Freddie's still under contract and you've got Acuna, Albies, Fried, Soroka, and a stacked pen (which we'll still have in 2021) you have to consider it.

Just depends on what your goal is - keeping those guys around to plug in is great for keeping your window open a bit longer, but if you're counting on them becoming the final pieces that push you over the top you'll be disappointed. Lots of other things will still have to happen to get you a flag that flies forever - and the longer you wait to make your push, the older Freeman, Albies, and Acuna get and the more wear and tear builds up on Fried and Soroka's arms.

 

[striker42]

Yeah, there isn't really a constituency for Anderson as ace.

Most come in with #3 or #4.

The discussion has generally been whether he was a complete waste of a draft pick or not.

Sometimes arguing against that can look like high praise, but it's rare that anyone even puts a #2 on him except as a best case scenario.

I don't know. I've said before that he projects as a middle of the rotation starter and been attacked for it.

 

[Tapate50]

I mean you mention bullpen arm more than anyone, but then again pointing something out to someone is now called attacking I guess.

 

[striker42]

I mean you mention bullpen arm more than anyone, but then again pointing something out to someone is now called attacking I guess.

I said when we drafted him that he projected as a middle of the rotation starter and youd think I'd said he projected to be Hitler.

 

[MadduxFanII]

I said when we drafted him that he projected as a middle of the rotation starter and youd think I'd said he projected to be Hitler.

I mean, it would be pretty disappointing if Anderson’s ceiling was a mediocre watercolor painter.

 

[CrazyTrain]

I read Klaw's scouting of him on the athletic and he's more positive than most of the board.

Mentioned his FB is not special and people are hitting it. Mentioned as he is seen more the fastball and curve may get hit more.

Basically said he's surprised the curve has been as effective as it has.

Called him an "above average" starter with a chance to be better if the curve gets better.

When Ian buries the curve it doesn't get hit. When it backs up, it's getting launched. I hope teams don't figure out how to differentiate between his change and his fastball, because that's the secret sauce that makes him an MLB caliber starter.

 

[Super]

I said when we drafted him that he projected as a middle of the rotation starter and youd think I'd said he projected to be Hitler.

that's because you didn't know what you were talking about. there was way too little information on him available to you at that time. which, be honest, you do a lot, and have been wrong.
you didn't go out on some crazy limb anyway

 

[bravesfanMatt]

When Ian buries the curve it doesn't get hit. When it backs up, it's getting launched. I hope teams don't figure out how to differentiate between his change and his fastball, because that's the secret sauce that makes him an MLB caliber starter.

I still don’t know how he is doing it with his movement. The fastball is ok velo wise but something is working. You don’t one hit two teams for six plus innings and just say I was lucky. He has something going on.

 

[DirkPiggler]

I still don’t know how he is doing it with his movement. The fastball is ok velo wise but something is working. You don’t one hit two teams for six plus innings and just say I was lucky. He has something going on.

And the one hit was a cheesy assed bunt to beat the shift.

 

[CrazyTrain]

I still don’t know how he is doing it with his movement. The fastball is ok velo wise but something is working. You don’t one hit two teams for six plus innings and just say I was lucky. He has something going on.

The easy answer is that not many guys are trying to get hitters out the way that Ian currently is. Rare arm slot and mix of riser fastball with a dipping change.

 

[Tapate50]

I still don’t know how he is doing it with his movement. The fastball is ok velo wise but something is working. You don’t one hit two teams for six plus innings and just say I was lucky. He has something going on.

Extension?

 

[Russ2dollas]

I couldn’t see live bc of blackout rules. Based on highlights it looks like he was using the curve more.

The fastball change play up bc of tunneling.

If he can improve the curve, that’s the main way to become a 3.

I still feel like he’s going to give up a ton of hrs with that straight, high fb. But hopefully they are solo shots.

 

[Enscheff]

The easy answer is that not many guys are trying to get hitters out the way that Ian currently is. Rare arm slot and mix of riser fastball with a dipping change.

I think you’re right. That rising heater up is effective. That mediocre curve down is effective. That change must look identical to the fastball, and appears to be effective anywhere in the zone...even middle/middle.

So just like how Wright can’t figure out how to use his tools, Anderson did, and he is having excellent results. As much as I hate these cliches, he is why the cliche “learn how to pitch” exists.

I see Anderson as the new Teheran, who peaked at 3.4 wins and had Braves fans constantly arguing he was an Ace. The difference is this time the Braves don’t have to rely on him as an Ace because they have legit TOR guys in Fried and Soroka.

 

[Heyward]

I think you’re right. That rising heater up is effective. That mediocre curve down is effective. That change must look identical to the fastball, and appears to be effective anywhere in the zone...even middle/middle.

So just like how Wright can’t figure out how to use his tools, Anderson did, and he is having excellent results. As much as I hate these cliches, he is why the cliche “learn how to pitch” exists.

I see Anderson as the new Teheran, who peaked at 3.4 wins and had Braves fans constantly arguing he was an Ace. The difference is this time the Braves don’t have to rely on him as an Ace because they have legit TOR guys in Fried and Soroka.

Fried/Soroka/Anderson is a solid top 3, who fills in the last 2 spots is a mystery going forward. With as cheap as some of the position players are, AA could do a multi year deal for a SP but seems to be against his MO.

 

[Nerfherders]

Anderson seems to have this unique mix of fastball/change where they both come out at the same armslot and trajectory, except the change goes down and is 8 mph slower. If he can K Soto on a change right down the middle, I feel like it has to be that it comes out EXACTLY like the fastball, and the hitters have no idea which is which until it's too late.