Welcome Back, Ian Anderson! Braves Reunite With a Key Piece of Their 2021 Title Run

Ian Anderson (Photo Credit: Getty Images)

The Braves made a move today that should bring a smile to a lot of fans' faces and that is Ian Anderson is coming home.

Atlanta claimed the 26-year-old right-hander off waivers from the Angels, just a month after he left the organization. Also to note, the Braves recalled starting pitcher Davis Daniel to Atlanta and designated fan favorite relief pitcher Jesse Chavez for assignment. 

If you’ve followed this team at all over the past few years, you know how much Ian Anderson has meant to the Braves. Drafted third overall back in 2016, he made his big league debut during the weird, shortened 2020 season and immediately showed he was the real deal. In his first two seasons, Anderson threw over 160 innings with a 3.25 ERA and struck out nearly 25% of the hitters he faced which is big-time numbers for a young starter.

But where Anderson really made his name was in October. He was absolutely lights-out in the postseason, helping lead the Braves to the NLCS in 2020 and then playing a massive role in the 2021 World Series championship run. In nine playoff appearances with Atlanta, he posted a ridiculous 1.26 ERA. Simply put, he was a big-game pitcher when it mattered most.

The past couple seasons haven’t been as kind to Anderson, with injuries and inconsistency slowing him down, but the Braves clearly believe there’s still plenty left in the tank. And honestly, who better to help him get back on track than the team and coaching staff that helped him shine in the first place?

With the Braves looking to beef up their pitching depth, bringing Ian Anderson back feels like a smart move and also a sentimental one too. Here's hoping we see him dealing on the mound at Truist Park again soon. Ian Anderson is expected to join the team in Colorado with a possibility of pitching against the Rockies, if the need presents itself.