Categories: High School Sports, News, Sports

Ian Anderson begins his next journey today.

Twin brother Ben Anderson is still figuring out where his next journey will start.

Along with his parents, Ian Anderson flies to Atlanta this morning to start his life as a professional baseball player with the Braves, just two days after graduating from Shenendehowa High School. The No. 3 pick in this month’s Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft, Ian Anderson is slated to sign his contract at Turner Field following the successful completion of a 7 p.m. physical.

Multiple outlets have reported Ian Anderson’s signing bonus with the Braves will be in the ballpark of $4 million, a figure father Bob Anderson did not dispute.

“Those numbers are accurate,” he said.

The slot value for the No. 3 pick in this year’s MLB draft was $6,510,800.

Before today’s physical, Ian Anderson will be on the field for batting practice prior to the Braves’ game against the New York Mets. It’s possible the 6-foot-3 right-handed pitcher could throw a bullpen session.

Sunday, he’ll join the Braves’ rookie-level affiliate in the Gulf Coast League.

“It’ll probably be a couple weeks before he’s up to speed to pitch,” Bob Anderson said.

Ian Anderson, 18, led Shenendehowa to the Class AA baseball state championship earlier this month. In his senior season, he allowed three earned runs while striking out 55 batters in 42 innings. In the team’s postseason run, he went 4-0 and did not allow an earned run in 28 innings.

BINGHAMTON OR BLUE JAYS?

Deciding between attending Binghamton University and joining the Toronto Blue Jays’ organization could take a couple more weeks for right-handed pitcher Ben Anderson, who was drafted in the 26th round of this year’s MLB draft.

The Blue Jays are still sorting out signing bonus offers for their top-10 round picks. Once that task is complete, the Blue Jays will be able to make an offer to Ben Anderson.

The right-handed pitcher technically has through July 15 to make his decision, but his Binghamton orientation is scheduled for July 11. That earlier date is his personal deadline.

“If he’s going to Binghamton, we want him going on the 11th,” Bob Anderson said.

Besides meeting with members of the Blue Jays organization earlier this week, Ben Anderson — who allowed 13 earned runs while striking out 37 batters in 361⁄3 innings as a senior — and his family also met with coaches from Binghamton, who reaffirmed their interest in the pitcher.

“They’re great people,” Bob Anderson said. “We have so much respect for that coaching staff. They do things the right way and they’re very sincere.”