Bryce Elder’s Struggles Ignite Braves’ Pitching Crisis as Fans Demand Change

The Atlanta Braves’ 2025 season has spiraled into early turmoil, with a 3-10 record highlighting systemic issues—none more glaring than the collapse of pitcher Bryce Elder. Once a 2023 All-Star, Elder’s decline has become a lightning rod for fan frustration, with calls for his removal from the rotation growing louder after another dismal outing on April 12.

The Unraveling of a Short-Lived Success

Elder’s 2023 first-half brilliance (2.01 ERA) masked underlying flaws, including a bottom-tier fastball velocity (89 mph) and alarming hard-hit rates (48.2% in 2023). Regression hit hard: a 5.11 ERA in the second half of 2023 ballooned to 6.52 in 2024, and his 2025 ERA now sits at 7.20. Analysts argue his sinker-slider combo lacks the swing-and-miss potency needed in today’s MLB, with hitters teeing off on his sub-90 mph fastball.

A Stopgap Turned Liability

Elder was never intended to open 2025 in the rotation, but injuries to Reynaldo López and Ian Anderson’s struggles forced Atlanta’s hand. The Braves’ offseason reluctance to sign a veteran starter backfired, exposing Elder’s limitations. His April 12 start against Tampa Bay—4 innings, 3 earned runs—cemented his status as the rotation’s weakest link.

"He’s not a major-league starter," declared SportsTalkATL, noting his fastball is "batting practice" for modern hitters. Even Elder acknowledges his velocity ceiling (93-94 mph) is unlikely to improve without sacrificing command.

The Offense’s Collapse Compounds the Problem

While Elder’s struggles dominate headlines, Atlanta’s offense shares blame. The Braves rank 29th in runs scored (41), with stars like Matt Olson and Austin Riley underperforming. However, Elder’s outings have been indefensible:

• 2025 Stats: 0-1 record, 7.20 ERA, 1.40 WHIP, 7 strikeouts in 10 innings.
• Pitch Metrics: 11th percentile chase rate, 23rd percentile whiff rate.

The Path Forward

With ace Spencer Strider set to return next week, Elder’s rotation spot is in jeopardy. Fans and analysts overwhelmingly endorse replacing him with AJ Smith-Shawver, a younger arm with higher upside. Yet the Braves’ recent decision to demote Smith-Shawver instead has sparked backlash, signaling misplaced faith in Elder.

Bottom Line: Elder’s story reflects a broader Braves’ malaise—a team caught between contention and complacency. As one columnist bluntly put it: "The experiment is over. It’s time to move on.".

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