Ian Anderson Makes Pro Debut

LAKELAND, Fla.—Being only 18 and with the weight on your shoulders of being a team’s number one draft pick Ian Anderson didn’t show it on Wednesday as he made his professional baseball debut.

The right-hander was the first pick of the Atlanta Braves, third overall, in this June’s draft throwing three good innings against the Tiger’s Rookie Level Gulf Coast League squad.

“I’m glad I got my feet on the ground,” said Anderson after his three inning start, “Both my fastball and curve were good. I fell in love with the fastball though.”

As to shaking any of his catchers signals off Anderson said, “I shook off a couple of them.

Anderson needed just 35-pitches to get threw his outing, 25 for strikes with eight of the 12 batters he faced seeing first pitch strikes.

The young man’s final line was three innings pitched, allowing no runs but three hits while walking none and striking out two.

As to his first pro appearance said of it and his stats, “If you are a starter you need to get ground ball outs to get deep into the game.”

Anderson did get four ground ball outs along with a pop out on the infield.

According to Anderson his next start is scheduled for Tuesday.  (EDDIE MICHELS PHOTO)