Spencer Strider
Spencer Robert Strider (born October 28, 1998) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Atlanta Braves of Major League Baseball (MLB).[1] Standing at 6 feet tall and throwing right-handed, Strider is recognized for his exceptional fastball velocity, often exceeding 100 miles per hour, and high strikeout rates that marked his rapid ascent in the majors.[2][3] Strider attended Clemson University, where he pitched for the Tigers before undergoing Tommy John surgery as a sophomore in 2019; he was drafted by the Braves in the fourth round of the 2020 MLB Draft despite the injury.[4][1] After a brief MLB debut in 2021, he broke out in 2022 with a 2.67 ERA and 202 strikeouts over 131.2 innings, earning All-Star selection and helping the Braves to the National League Division Series.[5] His 2023 season featured a league-leading 13.5 strikeouts per nine innings, but it ended prematurely due to right elbow discomfort.[6] In April 2024, Strider suffered a complete tear of his right ulnar collateral ligament (UCL), necessitating internal brace surgery that sidelined him for the remainder of the season after just two starts.[4] He returned to the majors on April 16, 2025, following a minor league rehabilitation assignment, though his comeback included a hamstring strain requiring another injured list stint before activation on May 19.[7][8] Through the 2025 season, Strider has posted a career record of 38 wins against 24 losses with a 3.74 ERA and 626 strikeouts in 455 innings pitched, underscoring his potential as an ace despite persistent durability concerns.[9][5]Early years
Early life
Spencer Robert Strider was born on October 28, 1998, in Columbus, Ohio.[10][11][1] Strider attended Christian Academy of Knoxville, a private school in Knoxville, Tennessee, where he competed in baseball as a three-time varsity letterman.[12][2] During his high school career, he contributed to his team's success, including a state championship win, which he later cited as his proudest childhood accomplishment.[11]College career
Strider attended Clemson University, where he played college baseball for the Clemson Tigers from 2018 to 2020.[13] As a freshman in 2018, Strider appeared in 22 games, making 6 starts, and compiled a 5–2 record with a 4.76 ERA over 51 innings pitched. He recorded 70 strikeouts, leading the team, while issuing 35 walks and allowing 40 hits and 5 home runs. His strikeout rate of 12.35 per nine innings ranked fourth in Clemson history for a single season. Notable performances included 6.2 innings with 7 strikeouts against Coastal Carolina and earning his first career save against Dallas Baptist. For these efforts, he was named a Freshman All-American by Collegiate Baseball Newspaper and an All-ACC Freshman Team selection. Strider also earned ACC Academic Honor Roll recognition that year.[11][13] Strider missed the entire 2019 season after sustaining an arm injury, during which he received a medical redshirt. Despite the setback, he was ranked as the No. 97 college prospect by D1Baseball and No. 26 among sophomores by Perfect Game entering the 2020 draft cycle.[11] In the shortened 2020 season, impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, Strider returned as a weekend starter, making 4 starts over 12 innings with a 4.50 ERA and 0–0 record. He struck out 19 batters while walking just 3, and the Tigers went 4–0 in his appearances. Strider possessed one of the hardest fastballs on campus during this period. Over his college career, he appeared in 26 games (10 starts), posting a 5–2 record, 1 save, 4.71 ERA, and 89 strikeouts in 63 innings. He earned ACC Academic Honor Roll honors three times. Strider declared for the MLB Draft following the season and was selected by the Atlanta Braves in the fourth round (126th overall).[11][13]Professional career
Draft and minor leagues
Strider was selected by the Atlanta Braves in the fourth round, with the 126th overall pick, of the 2020 Major League Baseball draft out of Clemson University.[1] [2] He signed with the Braves for a $449,300 bonus.[6] The 2020 minor league season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, so Strider did not pitch professionally that year.[14] Strider began his minor league career in 2021, starting at Low-A Augusta GreenJackets, where he made four appearances (all starts), allowing just one earned run over 15+ innings for a 0.59 ERA while striking out 32 batters.[13] He was promoted to High-A Rome Emperors for three starts, posting a 2.45 ERA with 24 strikeouts in 14+ innings.[13] Strider then advanced to Double-A Mississippi Braves, his primary assignment that season, where he recorded a 3-7 mark with a 4.71 ERA over 14 starts and 63 innings, fanning 94.[13] He made one brief appearance at Triple-A Gwinnett Stripers, retiring all three batters faced in one inning.[13] Across 22 minor league outings in 2021—all starts—Strider finished 3-7 with a 3.64 ERA, 153 strikeouts, and 94 innings pitched.[13] [15]| Level | Team | Games (Starts) | Record | ERA | IP | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | Augusta GreenJackets | 4 (4) | 0-0 | 0.59 | 15.1 | 32 |
| A+ | Rome Emperors | 3 (3) | 0-0 | 2.45 | 14.2 | 24 |
| AA | Mississippi Braves | 14 (14) | 3-7 | 4.71 | 63.0 | 94 |
| AAA | Gwinnett Stripers | 1 (1) | 0-0 | 0.00 | 1.0 | 3 |
Atlanta Braves tenure
Spencer Strider made his Major League Baseball debut with the Atlanta Braves on October 1, 2021, pitching 2.1 relief innings with a 3.86 ERA and no strikeouts.[2] In 2022, he transitioned to a starting role, recording 11 wins, 5 losses, a 2.67 ERA, 202 strikeouts, and a 0.995 WHIP over 131.2 innings in 20 starts, finishing second in Rookie of the Year voting.[2] His performance earned him a six-year, $75 million contract extension covering 2023-2028 with a 2029 team option.[2] Strider's 2023 season marked his peak, with 20 wins, 5 losses, a 3.86 ERA, a franchise-record 281 strikeouts, and an All-Star selection, placing fourth in Cy Young Award voting across 32 starts and 186.2 innings.[2] However, injuries disrupted his trajectory; in 2024, after two starts totaling 9 innings with a 7.00 ERA and 12 strikeouts, he underwent ulnar collateral ligament surgery on April 13, ending his season.[1] He returned in 2025 but faced a right hamstring strain in April, leading to a stint on the injured list before activation on April 16; over 23 starts, he posted 7 wins, 14 losses, a 4.45 ERA, 131 strikeouts, and a 1.396 WHIP in 125.1 innings.[1][2] Through 2025, Strider's Braves tenure yielded 39 wins, 24 losses, a 3.74 ERA, and 626 strikeouts in 455 innings across 77 starts, establishing him as a key rotation member despite durability challenges.[2]| Season | Games Started | W-L | ERA | Innings Pitched | Strikeouts | WHIP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 0 | 1-0 | 3.86 | 2.1 | 0 | 1.286 |
| 2022 | 20 | 11-5 | 2.67 | 131.2 | 202 | 0.995 |
| 2023 | 32 | 20-5 | 3.86 | 186.2 | 281 | 1.093 |
| 2024 | 2 | 0-0 | 7.00 | 9.0 | 12 | 1.667 |
| 2025 | 23 | 7-14 | 4.45 | 125.1 | 131 | 1.396 |
2021 season
Strider spent most of the 2021 season in the Atlanta Braves' minor league system, beginning with four starts for the Low-A Augusta GreenJackets before advancing to High-A Rome for three appearances, Double-A Mississippi for 14 outings, and a single game at Triple-A Gwinnett.[13] In 22 minor league games (21 starts), he compiled a 3–7 record, 3.64 ERA, and 153 strikeouts over 94 innings pitched, demonstrating elite strikeout ability with a 14.6 K/9 rate that highlighted his fastball-slider combination despite control issues evidenced by 5.3 BB/9.[13] His rapid progression through four levels underscored the Braves' evaluation of his high-velocity arsenal, which reached triple digits, positioning him as a prospect with significant upside. On October 1, 2021, the Braves selected Strider's contract from Triple-A Gwinnett to bolster their bullpen amid a late-season playoff push.[17] He made his major league debut that evening in relief during a 5–4 win over the New York Mets at Truist Park, entering in the seventh inning and catching a pop-up off Jeff McNeil for the first out before allowing a single and being relieved.[18] Strider appeared in two relief outings total, earning a 1–0 record with a 3.86 ERA across 2.1 innings, surrendering three hits and two earned runs while recording no strikeouts or walks.[2] These brief exposures served as an introduction to major league competition without impacting his rookie eligibility for 2022.[2]2022 season
Strider began the 2022 season with the Atlanta Braves in a relief role, making his first appearance on April 7 against the Cincinnati Reds, where he pitched two scoreless innings with five strikeouts.[19] He transitioned to the starting rotation on May 30, contributing to the Braves' strong performance from that point, during which the team posted a 78-36 record and their starters maintained a 3.46 ERA.[1] Over the regular season, Strider recorded an 11-5 win-loss record with a 2.67 ERA, 202 strikeouts, and a 0.995 WHIP across 31 appearances (20 starts) and 131.2 innings pitched, marking a breakout rookie campaign that exceeded rookie eligibility limits.[2] [5] Strider set multiple strikeout milestones, including tying the Atlanta Braves' single-game franchise record with 16 strikeouts on September 1 against the Colorado Rockies and reaching 200 strikeouts faster than any pitcher in MLB history on September 18 by fanning Detroit Tigers' Nick Maton.[1] [20] He earned the National League Rookie of the Month award for July and finished second in NL Rookie of the Year voting to teammate Michael Harris II, while securing the Sporting News NL Rookie Player of the Year and MLB Players Choice Outstanding Rookie honors based on peer surveys.[21] [22] [23] In the postseason, Strider started Game 3 of the NLDS against the Philadelphia Phillies on October 11, allowing five runs over 2.1 innings in a loss, contributing to the Braves' series defeat in four games; he appeared in two total postseason games that year.[1] [24]2023 season
In 2023, Spencer Strider established himself as the Atlanta Braves' ace, making 32 starts and posting a 20–5 win–loss record with a 3.86 ERA and 1.09 WHIP over 186+2⁄3 innings pitched.[25] He recorded 281 strikeouts, leading Major League Baseball in wins, winning percentage (.800), and strikeouts while ranking first in the National League for strikeouts per nine innings (13.5).[1] [25] Strider earned selection to the 2023 National League All-Star team after entering the midsummer classic with an 11–2 record, 3.44 ERA, and 166 strikeouts in 18 starts—the latter marking the most strikeouts by a Braves pitcher prior to the All-Star break in franchise history.[26] [1] His pre-break dominance included reaching 100 strikeouts in just 61 innings, the fastest pace in MLB history.[27] Strider closed the regular season with a quality start in his final appearance, striking out seven batters to secure his 20th victory.[28] For his performance, he was named to the All-MLB First Team as a starting pitcher.[29]2024 season
Strider returned to the Atlanta Braves' rotation at the start of the 2024 season following recovery from a 2023 ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) injury.[1] He made two starts, logging 9 innings pitched, during which he allowed 9 earned runs for a 7.00 ERA, struck out 12 batters, issued 5 walks, and received no decisions.[2][25] After his April 5 start against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Strider reported elbow discomfort, prompting an MRI that identified a loose bone fragment abrading his repaired right UCL.[30] The Braves placed him on the 15-day injured list on April 8, later transferring him to the 60-day list.[1] On April 12, Strider underwent an internal brace procedure by Dr. Keith Meister in Dallas to stabilize the UCL and remove the fragment, a surgery expected to sideline him for the remainder of the 2024 season and into 2025.[31] The procedure differed from traditional Tommy John reconstruction by augmenting the ligament with a synthetic brace rather than fully replacing it.[32] He was activated from the 60-day injured list on November 4, 2024, but did not pitch further that year.[1]2025 season
Strider entered the 2025 season recovering from internal brace surgery on his right elbow performed in April 2024, which caused him to miss the entire prior year.[1] In a spring training appearance on March 17, he delivered 2⅔ perfect innings with six strikeouts, signaling a strong initial recovery.[33] However, his regular-season debut was marred by a right hamstring strain sustained on April 16 against the Chicago Cubs, leading to placement on the 15-day injured list retroactive to April 18.[1][34] Upon activation from the hamstring injury, Strider returned to the mound and recorded three strikeouts in his first outing back.[35] Post-recovery, he adopted a slightly lower three-quarters arm slot compared to his pre-elbow surgery high three-quarters delivery, resulting in altered pitch shapes.[36] His season featured inconsistencies, including a poor outing on June 4 against the Arizona Diamondbacks, where he expressed self-criticism for subpar command, and continued struggles in August, such as against the Chicago White Sox on August 18 despite maintaining a season-high average four-seam fastball velocity of 96.2 mph.[37][38] In 23 starts, Strider compiled a 7-14 record with a 4.45 ERA over 125⅓ innings, striking out 131 batters while issuing 51 walks for a 1.40 WHIP; the Braves went 5-9 in his appearances.[1][3][39] Advanced metrics reflected challenges, including a .344 wOBA against and 10.6% barrel rate allowed.[25] His performance marked a rebound in volume from injury but fell short of his pre-2023 dominance, amid broader team struggles.[40][41]Pitching style and mechanics
Repertoire
Spencer Strider's pitching repertoire centers on a high-velocity four-seam fastball and a hard slider, which together account for approximately 86% of his pitches, with the fastball used about 51% of the time and the slider around 35%.[25][42] The four-seam fastball averages 95-97 mph, exhibiting significant induced vertical break and riding action that contributes to its effectiveness against right-handed batters when elevated in the zone.[43][44] His slider, averaging 84-86 mph, features sharp horizontal and vertical movement, often tunneling well with the fastball to generate whiff rates exceeding 45%, particularly when the fastball velocity exceeds 97 mph.[43][45] Strider mixes in a curveball (usage around 9%) at 78 mph for depth and a changeup (about 5%) at 86 mph as change-of-pace options, though these are deployed less frequently and primarily against opposite-handed hitters.[25][43] The curveball provides greater drop than the slider, aiding in two-strike counts, while the changeup offers arm-side run but has seen limited success metrics compared to his primary pitches.[42] Pre-injury, this arsenal yielded elite strikeout rates, with the slider and fastball driving much of his dominance; post-2023 elbow surgery and into 2025, usage patterns have remained similar, though overall velocity dips have slightly reduced whiff efficiency on breaking balls.[46][47]Velocity and command
Strider's four-seam fastball features elite velocity, averaging 98.2 mph in 2022 and 97.3 mph in 2023, with frequent readings exceeding 100 mph that overwhelm hitters.[47] This high-octane offering, thrown over 55% of the time, generates significant induced vertical break and pairs with his slider for swing-and-miss potential.[42] Post-UCL surgery and limited 2024 action, his 2025 fastball velocity averaged 95.5 mph overall, starting lower at around 95 mph before climbing to 96 mph by July.[42][48] His command stands out for precision in challenging locations, particularly elevating the fastball to the upper strike zone while maintaining a low walk rate—evidenced by a 1.09 WHIP in 2023 across 186.2 innings.[25] This control enables aggressive sequencing without excessive balls, though 2025 saw a WHIP rise to 1.40 amid velocity adjustments, suggesting temporary location inconsistencies.[25] Strider's ability to locate sliders low and away complements his fastball command, sustaining high strikeout rates even in recovery phases.[43]| Year | Average Four-Seam Velocity (mph) |
|---|---|
| 2022 | 98.2 |
| 2023 | 97.3 |
| 2025 | 95.5 |