The Atlanta Braves optioned Bryce Elder and Ian Anderson to Triple-A Gwinnett yesterday. Elder and Anderson were two of the top candidates to win the fifth spot in the Braves’ rotation. Michael Soroka was another top choice but has been sidelined with a right hamstring strain. Brian Snitker announced that Soroka will not be making the team to start the season.

As of now, the Braves are left with their top prospect Jared Shuster and Dylan Dodd. Shuster was drafted 25th overall in the 2020 draft out of Wake Forest. Dodd was drafted in the third-round of the 2021 draft out of Southeast Missouri State University.

Shuster has allowed just one run while striking out nine batters over 8.2 innings this spring. Meanwhile, Dodd has struck out 11 over 8.1 innings.

Shuster is currently rated as the Braves’ number one prospect, according to MLB.com while Dodd is currently ranked 10th. Both ar eleft-handed pitchers.

Who is Atlanta Braves Dylan Dodd?

According to his scouting report, Dodd’s greatest tool is his control. His slider and his changeup rate as his top pitches with 55 grades. Dodd is known as a pitcher who can hit his spots without electric stuff. While he only throws about 92 mph with his fastball, he keeps hitters off balance by locating with his off-speed pitches and missing bats with his slider. He projects to be a fourth or fifth starter in the big leagues and he has a real chance of beginning the season that way for the Atlanta Braves.

Dodd began the 2022 season in High-A. He was later promoted to Double-A and made it all the way to Triple-A by the end of the season. He finished the season with a 3.36 overall ERA, striking out 153 batters in 142.0 innings pitched. In his lone Triple-A start for Gwinnett, Dodd went 6.2 innings, allowing three runs, walking one, and striking out seven.