“🤐💥 Braves GM Drops Bombshell! Alex Anthopoulos Refuses to Spill the Beans on #5 Starter – Who’s the Mystery Ace? Brace Yourself for the Shocking Plot Twist! ⚾🌟 #BravesDrama #MLBMysteryMan”

In his latest remarks on the Atlanta Braves’ 2024 rotation, Alex Anthopoulos has announced an intense competition for the coveted 5th starter position. Speaking on Sports Radio 92.1 FM, the Braves’ president of baseball operations revealed the guaranteed names in the rotation while keeping the suspense alive for the final spot.

While Spencer Strider, Max Fried, Charlie Morton, and the newly-acquired Chris Sale were deemed “locks” by Anthopoulos, one notable omission raised eyebrows. Bryce Elder, a former 2023 All-Star whose performance wavered in the previous season, was left hanging as Anthopoulos opted for a Grapefruit League showdown to determine the ultimate contender for the role.

Elder, 24, demonstrated his prowess with a stellar 2.97 ERA in 106 innings pre-All-Star Break but faced challenges, posting a 5.11 ERA in 13 starts during the latter part of the season. Anthopoulos, acknowledging Elder’s inexperience and increased workload, remains non-committal, setting the stage for a compelling competition.

In Anthopoulos’ radio appearance, he identified five potential contenders for the 5th starter position, including Elder, free agent acquisition Reynaldo López, the returning Huascar Ynoa after Tommy John surgery, and prospects AJ Smith-Shawver and Hurston Waldrep. This echoes the previous season’s dynamic, where the 5th spot boiled down to a spring training showdown between Dylan Dodd and Jared Shuster.

Despite uncertainties, one thing is certain – the Braves boast impressive rotation depth. Reflecting on last season’s challenges, Anthopoulos expressed hope that this depth wouldn’t be as extensively tested, considering the numerous starting pitching options Atlanta cycled through due to injuries in the 162-game regular season. The Braves are poised for an intriguing and competitive season ahead.