It was a short-lived tenure in Anaheim for the third overall pick out of the 2016 MLB Draft. Former Atlanta Braves postseason hero Ian Anderson was designated for assignment this afternoon by the Los Angeles Angels.
Anderson’s stats are tough to look at this season. In 9.1 innings pitched out of the Angels bullpen Anderson racked up a 11.57 ERA, 6.35 FIP, 2.57 WHIP, and -0.6 bWAR. It’s a far cry from the early success Anderson experienced when he debuted in 2020.
#Angels transactions:
•Selected the contract of RHP Carl Edwards Jr. (#52)
•Recalled RHP Victor Mederos from High-A Tri-City
•Designated RHP Ian Anderson for assignment
•Following last night’s game, RHP Michael Darrell-Hicks was optioned to Triple-A Salt Lake
— Angels PR (@LAAngelsPR) April 23, 2025
Former Braves starter Ian Anderson designated for assignment by Angels
Anderson was considered a favorite for a rotation spot when the Braves began spring training, but his erratic command and inability to strikeout hitters led to some very shaky results. Because Anderson was out of options the Braves were forced to save face in a trade with the Angels that brought back left-handed pitcher Jose Suarez.
The trade didn’t really turn out favorable for either side with both pitchers now being DFA’d just a few weeks into the season. Anderson will hope to catch on somewhere in the league, but his troubling strikeout-walk rate (1.14 K/BB to be exact) probably signals the former top prospect has a long way to climb before he’s a Major League quality pitcher again.
While the Braves are in a sticky situation with pitching depth themselves, reuniting with a pitcher who still struggles to throw strike would be an ill-advised and out of character move from this front office. Hopefully this isn’t the very end for Ian Anderson, and he can find a way to salvage his once promising career. Regardless, Braves country will be forever grateful for the five no-hit innings Anderson threw in the 2021 World Series, and all the other heroic postseason moments he gave us in the early years.
Stay tuned to see if Anderson latches on with any other organization this year and what other depth moves Alex Anthopoulos could have up his sleeve.
