‘He’s a Beast’ – Former Shen Phenom Blows Up on Twitter

Back in October 2016 I was the emcee at a fundraiser for JP Honsinger in Latham.  It was a wonderful event for a young man battling childhood alzheimer's and because of JP's love for all things sports, the theme of the fundraiser, appropriately enough, was Wide World of Sports.  At this event, I was introduced to a young man named Ian Anderson.  He was 18-years-old, fresh out-of-high school, and just a nice, humble kid.  I knew who he was, but didn't know that much really.  I just knew that he was supposed to be really good.

Before graduating from Shenendehowa  High School, he completed his senior year as a stud pitcher who helped lead Shen to a state championship.   That same summer - June of 2016 - he was drafted by the Atlanta Braves in the first round of the 2016 MLB draft; taken 3rd overall.

Anderson spent spent a few years in the Braves minor league system and kept getting better and better, establishing himself as one of the most prized pitching prospects in MLB.  Just 4 years later at age 22, Anderson made his MLB debut against the Yankees in late August and he was phenomenal,pitching 6 innings giving up only one run.

Fast-forward to Thursday, Ian Anderson took the mound for the Atlanta Braves in a playoff game against the very capable Cincinnati Reds.  Just how good was he?   I'll let some of the Twitter reaction tell you the story: