With the bullpen overtaxed after a series of short outings causing manager Brian Snitker to use both Spencer Strider and Tucker Davidson in relief on Monday and the Braves wanting to utilize a sixth starter, Atlanta has purchased the contract of 2020 5th-rounder Bryce Elder.
The Player
Bryce Elder, RHP
Age: 22
OFR Prospect Rank: 5
2021 Level: A+/AA/AAA
The Results (2021, all levels)
2.75 ERA / 2.80 FIP
25 G, 25 GS
137.2 IP
3.73 BB/9
10.13 K/9
The History
Bryce Elder was selected in the 5th round of the abbreviated 2020 draft out of the University of Texas. Elder made a name for himself in his sophomore season, pitching to a 2.93 ERA and striking out 86 in 83 innings. He looked to be on pace to better those numbers in 4 starts in the 2020 season before the COVID shutdown.
Considered likely to be drafted somewhere within the first three rounds, Elder fell to the Braves who were able to maneuver such that they could sign him for a $850,000 bonus — over $500,000 over the draft slot. Not able to start his pro career until the 2021 season, Elder was challenged with an assignment directly to high-A Rome, where he excelled in 9 starts, posting a 2.60 ERA in 45 innings. Elder continued to find success in 9 starts at AA Mississippi, then somehow posting his best numbers in 7 starts with AAA Gwinnett, finishing out 2021 with a 1.44 ERA in five September starts, allowing only a .126/.255/.172 batting line to opposing hitters. Elder ended up leading all affiliated minor leagues in innings pitched.
A non-roster invitee to spring training in 2022, Elder bookended the Grapefruit League season by pitching 7.2 hitless innings in 2 starts.
The Report
Listed at 6-2 and 220 pounds, Elder has the body type and pitching repertoire that suggests a potential workhorse-type pitcher.
Elder’s clean and relatively effortless mechanics seem to lull hitters to sleep before his mid-90s four-seam fastball is on top of them. His bread-and-butter pitches however are his low-90s sinker, his slider, and a good change-up that has enough wiggle to be effective against both left- and right-handed batters. In tandem, these pitches are what allow Elder to generate 50%+ groundball rates that help him have quick, efficient innings.
He also throws a curve that can be a swing-and-miss weapon when he’s able to throw it consistently for strikes and has the potential to let him overcome the “4th-starter ceiling” label that has been slapped on him.
Elder does have stretches where his command can desert him; he usually finds himself, but in those times hitters can take advantage if they are patient.
What’s Next
Elder gets a crack at the major league rotation perhaps a month or two before anticipated, but his promotion shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone who watched him pitch last season or this spring. The back-half of the Braves current six-man rotation will likely be filled with many pitchers contributing, and now that he’s on the 40-man roster Elder could find himself being a big part of that mix.
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