Bryce Elder, a native of Decatur, established himself in the Major Leagues last season and was selected for the first time to the All-Star team.
The former ace pitcher for Decatur is now trying to lock down a spot in the Atlanta Braves starting rotation for 2024.
Elder reported on February 14 to the Braves’ Spring Training complex in North Port, Florida.
Atlanta (104-58), who finished the previous season with the most wins in baseball, lost the National League Division Series 3-1 to the Philadelphia Phillies.
Elder stated that the team’s return to the field this season has created a fresh level of energy following a four-month hiatus.
This year during Spring Training, he stated, “there’s a really good vibe and I think everyone’s just ready to go.”
“We intend to improve on our disappointing performance from the previous season and play more extended games this year.”
Last season, Elder received his first invitation to Spring Training. He was optioned to Atlanta’s Triple A club, the Gwinnett Stripers, after making four starts. He started the team’s Opening Day game against the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp.
Elder, though, did not spend a lot of time in the minor leagues. Max Fried, a left-handed pitcher, was placed on the injured list on April 3 due to a hamstring ailment that persisted.
Two days later, he was activated and contributed to the Braves’ 5-2 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals.
Elder, who was selected for his first All-Star team in 2023, was 12-4 in the regular season and had a 3.81 ERA in 31 starts.
He gave up 160 hits, 74 earned runs, and 128 strikeouts in addition to 63 walks.
With a 7-2 record and a 2.97 ERA in the first half of the season, Elder was among the best pitchers in MLB. His ERA rose to over five after the All-Star Break, and in his final three appearances of the season, he gave up 13 runs and nine walks in 12 1/3 innings.
“Overall, I was happy with last year,” Elder stated. I was able to get going and maintain my position after getting off to a great start.
Throughout the lengthy season, I gained a lot of knowledge about both my body and hitters.
I believe that I’ll be more consistent this year because I feel like I’m more conscious of making a lot of starts now.
