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Anderson goes No. 3 Overall to the Braves, Here's Why

June 10, 2016

Dan CevetteIan Anderson
Director, New York

Name: Ian Anderson
High School: Shenendehowa
Position: RHP
State Rank: No. 1
Overall: No. 3
Commitment: Vanderbilt
Draft: 1st Rd, Atlanta Braves, No. 3 Overall

Yesterday was the first round of the First-Year Player Draft (MLB Draft) where many high school, and college players dreams became reality. New York's ears perked up when the Albany NY native (Shenedehowa HS) RHP Ian Anderson was selected No. 3 overall by the Atlanta Braves - a surprise to many people.

By almost every baseball scouting service Anderson was projected somewhere in the range of No. 10-20 picks overall. Questions started popping up when he missed two-starts in May from a minor oblique strain. Our scouts locked in on his next start back where he bumped a 96 mph fastball, while showing signs of premium stuff all night. Not to mention, sign-ability concerns are always present with HS arms committed to programs like Vanderbilt.

Here's why, to me, this was no surprise really. For starters, Anderson checks all the projected Major League starter boxes. He's got the ideal size (6-foot-3) with a lanky-athletic frame surely to fill-out, truly a strength a conditioning coaches dream. His fastball arm-strength is already Major-League ready, sitting low-90's constantly while showing peaks as-high-as 96 mph this spring from a loose-as-they-come arm action. His curveball is already well-above average for a high-school arm, his delivery is repeatable, and his make-up is outstanding. From the baseball side of things, Anderson is a tough one to bet against.

For those that have the real inside scoop into Major League organizations and the player development side, the Braves pick of Anderson was no reach. The Atlanta Braves are historically big believers in their Minor-League system and player development. Some organizations believe in building from within, while that philosophy can change with free-agency and trades, the Braves are one of those teams that dump a great deal of money into their Minor League player development. Putting that all into consideration, the Braves made a fantastic pick.

Still Surprised? The Braves are also an organization who really like HS pitchers. From 2015-2012 the Braves have selected six high school arms in the first three rounds. Three first-rounders, one in the second-round, and two in the third-round respectively. Below is a look at those picks.

2015
No. 14 (1st Round) LHP Kolby Allard, San Clemente HS (CA)
No. 28 (1st Round) RHP Michael Soroka, Bishop Carroll HS (AB)
No. 89 (3rd Round) RHP Anthony Guardado, Nogales HS (CA)

2014
No. 66 (2nd Round) RHP Garrett Fulenchek, Howe HS (TX)

2013
No. 102 (3rd Round) RHP Carlos Salazar, Kerman HS (CA)

2012
No. 21 (1st Round) RHP Lucas Sims, Brookwood HS, GA


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