The Atlanta Braves have become a quality player factory in the last few years.
They draft well, they have an excellent player development staff and incredible coaching.
That’s why they have produced, drafted, signed, and developed players like Ronald Acuna Jr., Ozzie Albies, Dansby Swanson, Vaughn Grissom, Michael Harris II, Mike Soroka, Max Fried, Ian Anderson, and Spencer Strider within the last five years or so.
You can go ahead and add Bryce Elder to the list.
Elder may look like a 30-year-old veteran, but he is, in fact, a 23-year-old rookie who was drafted in the fifth round of the 2020 MLB Draft.
He had started a few games in the bigs before Monday, but that’s when he achieved his highest point yet in the majors: a complete game shutout.
“Bryce Elder completes the first nine-inning complete game shutout by an Atlanta rookie since 1990,” Bally Sports Braves tweeted.
Bryce Elder completes the first nine-inning complete game shutout by an Atlanta rookie since 1990 🔥 pic.twitter.com/IVVBRFqzHG
— Bally Sports: Braves (@BravesOnBally) September 27, 2022
He Completely Dominated The Nats
Granted, the foe wasn’t the most difficult one – the Washington Nationals have the worst record in MLB – but he still deserves a lot of credit.
Elder improved to 2-3 by allowing six hits and a walk while striking out six in the gem.
He was in complete control from start to finish, using a backdoor sinker to steal strikes at the outside corner against right-handed hitters almost at will.
He also throws a very good slider, a cutter, and a changeup.
The most surprising development about this is that Elder actually had a 4.46 ERA in 105 Triple-A innings.
However, in 49 frames at the big league level, he has managed a strong 2.76 ERA.
At the very least, he is making a strong case for a postseason roster spot.
Will he get it?
NEXT: The Braves Are Right There With The Top Contenders