Bryce Elder
Atlanta Braves – No. 55
Pitcher
Born: (1999-05-19) May 19, 1999 (age 24)
Decatur, Texas, U.S.
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
MLB debut
April 12, 2022, for the Atlanta Braves
MLB statistics
(through 2023 season)
Win–loss record14–8
Earned run average3.66
Strikeouts175
Teams
Career highlights and awards

Bryce Cason Elder (born May 19, 1999) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Atlanta Braves of Major League Baseball (MLB). Elder played college baseball at the University of Texas at Austin, and was drafted by the Braves in the fifth round of the 2020 MLB draft. He made his MLB debut in 2022.

Amateur career

Elder began playing baseball as a child, but stopped to focus on golf by his fifth grade year, to free up his weekends from travel team baseball activities. As a freshman at Decatur High School in Decatur, Texas, Elder considered returning to baseball, but the coach at the time would not permit Elder to play two spring season sports. A new baseball coach, hired before Elder's sophomore season, agreed to Elder's request to play baseball and golf.[1][2] Elder also played basketball. After graduating from high school, Elder played college baseball at the University of Texas at Austin.[3] In 2019, he played collegiate summer baseball with the Wareham Gatemen of the Cape Cod Baseball League.[4][5]

Professional career

Elder was drafted by the Atlanta Braves in the fifth round of the 2020 Major League Baseball draft,[6][7] and signed with the team for $850,000.[8]

Elder made his professional debut in 2021 with the Rome Braves and was promoted to the Double-A Mississippi Braves and the Triple-A Gwinnett Stripers during the season.[9] On July 10, 2021, Elder threw a combined no-hitter with Daysbel Hernandez.[10][11] Over 25 starts between the three teams, Elder went 11–5 with a 2.75 ERA and 155 strikeouts over 137+2⁄3 innings.[12][13]

On April 12, 2022, Elder was selected to the 40-man roster and promoted to the major leagues for the first time to make a spot start. He faced the Washington Nationals that night, pitching 5+2⁄3 innings, and earned a win.[14][15] He was optioned to the Gwinnett Stripers on May 1.[16] He was recalled on August 13 to face the Miami Marlins in another spot start the next day.[17][18] On September 26, Elder threw a complete-game shutout against the Washington Nationals, becoming the first Braves' rookie pitcher to do so since Paul Marak during the 1990 season.[19][20] For the 2022 regular season, he pitched 54 innings to a 2–4 record with a 3.17 ERA.

In 2023, after impressive spring training performances by Jared Shuster and Dylan Dodd, Elder was optioned to Triple-A Gwinnett to begin the regular season.[21] At the midseason, Elder was selected for the first time as a reserve starting pitcher for the National League in the 2023 Major League Baseball All-Star Game.[22]

Pitching style

Elder throws five pitches: a sinker, four-seam fastball, slider, changeup and curveball.[23][24]

References

  1. ^ Bowman, Mark (June 17, 2020). "Draftee Elder's winding road back to baseball". MLB.com. Retrieved April 13, 2022.
  2. ^ Bowman, Mark (July 10, 2023). "How pairing baseball with golf fueled Elder's All-Star trajectory". MLB.com. Retrieved July 11, 2023.
  3. ^ "Moving from the bullpen to a bigger stage, Bryce Elder earns the first start of UT's season". February 12, 2019.
  4. ^ "Texas announces summer assignments for 13 baseball players". University of Texas at Austin. June 19, 2019. Retrieved April 13, 2022.
  5. ^ "Baseball players set off for summer ball". University of Texas. June 10, 2019. Retrieved April 15, 2022.
  6. ^ "Bryce Elder drafted by Atlanta as MLB teams also pounce on Texas recruits". Austin American Statesman. June 12, 2020. Retrieved April 13, 2022.
  7. ^ Burns, Gabe (January 3, 2021). "Braves Pounce on Bryce Elder in Fifth Round". Baseball America. Retrieved April 13, 2022.
  8. ^ Burns, Gabriel (June 20, 2020). "Braves sign pitcher Bryce Elder, completing 2020 draft class". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved April 13, 2022.
  9. ^ Harris, Chris (June 29, 2021). "Nolan Kingham Promoted to Gwinnett, No. 12 Braves prospect Bryce Elder promoted to M-Braves". MILB.com.
  10. ^ Greene, Richard (July 14, 2021). "Elder tosses no-hitter in first pro season". Wise County Messenger. Retrieved September 30, 2021.
  11. ^ Harris, Chris (July 10, 2021). "Elder and Hernandez combine for no-hitter, 6-0, over Blue Wahoos on Saturday". MILB.com. Retrieved September 30, 2021.
  12. ^ Bowman, Mark (December 22, 2021). "Elder enhances Braves' starting depth". MLB.com. Retrieved April 13, 2022.
  13. ^ Gilberto, Gerard (October 27, 2021). "Langeliers, Elder leading Braves' new wave". MILB.com. Retrieved April 15, 2022.
  14. ^ "Ozuna, Albies power Braves' offense in 16-4 rout of Nats". ESPN.com. Associated Press. April 12, 2022. Retrieved April 13, 2022.
  15. ^ Bowman, Mark (April 13, 2022). "'Here we go': Braves roll, Elder wins MLB debut". MLB.com. Retrieved April 13, 2022.
  16. ^ Avallone, Michael (May 30, 2022). "Braves' Elder twirls eight scoreless innings". MLB.com. Retrieved August 15, 2022.
  17. ^ "Tromp's 3 hits, 3 RBIs lead Braves over Marlins in Game 1". ESPN.com. Associated Press. August 13, 2022. Retrieved August 15, 2022.
  18. ^ "Acuña, Olson power Braves to doubleheader sweep of Marlins". ESPN.com. Associated Press. August 13, 2022. Retrieved August 15, 2022.
  19. ^ "Elder shuts out Nationals 8-0; Braves within 1 game of Mets". ESPN.com. Associated Press. September 26, 2022. Retrieved September 27, 2022.
  20. ^ Trezza, Joe (September 26, 2022). "Braves close NL East gap behind Olson's power, Elder's shutout". MLB.com. Retrieved September 27, 2022.
  21. ^ Bowman, Mark (March 15, 2023). "With Anderson optioned, top prospect gets extended look". MLB.com. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
  22. ^ Toscano, Justin. "Great Eight: Braves set franchise record with eight All-Stars". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
  23. ^ Toscano, Justin (April 12, 2022). "Braves' offense provides punch as Bryce Elder has successful major-league debut". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved April 13, 2022.
  24. ^ Toscano, Justin (April 12, 2022). "Why Braves prospect Bryce Elder was ready for his debut". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved April 13, 2022.

External links

Atlanta Braves current roster
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