Flame-throwing Spencer Strider had a great 2023 in the Braves rotation, surpassing John Smoltz as the Atlanta season strikeout king.
He won 20 games to boot! I realize wins don’t matter like they once did, but every time Brian Snitker handed Strider the ball, Braves country expected something special to happen. Justifiably so!
All that said, 2023 was not a phenomenal year for the young right-hander. On any given night he could strikeout 18 hitters again like he did in 2022, but he could also lose focus or interest like Uncle Charlie Morton seems to do, too.
I remember one game when I was mowing my lawn, trying to mow straight lines while also watching the game and listening to Brandon Gaudin and Frenchy – I love those guys. Anyway, Strider got off to a quick start and Frenchy blurted out something like, “this looks like one of those nights where Spencer strikes out 15 hitters.” An inning-and-a-third later, he was out of the game!
The young, flame-throwing right-hander was susceptible to walks and the untimely home run ball last season. Yes, he struck out 281 hitters to set the single-season Atlanta mark, but he also surrendered 59 walks. That number isn’t terrible in 32 starts, but the fact they came in bunches was the problem. He walked three or more hitters 11 times.
Strider was a workhorse for the Braves when they needed him to be. In 32 starts, he managed to work at least five innings 29 times. He also recorded double-digit strikeouts in 11 outings, and allowed three or fewer hits nine times.
Built different
The thing I love about Strider is his make-up. He doesn’t shy away from criticism, he is honest about his performance, and is methodical in his approach. There is a method to his madness, even if he happens to lose his way on occasion. Which happened frequently in 2023.
And those 22 dingers he allowed often came at crucial times.
It’s fair to say that Strider is assessed in ways many aren’t. He was 20-5 with a 3.86 ERA. Striking out 281 hitters in 186.2 innings is insane. But his WHIP of 1.093 was up over his career average and his 3.3 WAR season would be envied by most. But when you have the flame-throwing arm and make-up Strider has, setting expectations high is a good thing. He enters 2024 as an early Cy Young favorite.
I don’t think that he lost focus, in those moments where things went sideways. I actually think that what happened was a bit more interesting, and I’m picking this up from things he’s said here and there in interviews.
I think it’s all about stamina management, and trying to learn when to save your bullets and when to reach back for something extra.
In college, he had a closer mentality: dominate the inning, to earn the right to go out and pitch the next inning. But in the major leagues, if you do that, you’ll struggle to pitch past the fifth inning, let alone stay healthy doing so. Spencer clearly thinks deeply about how to maintain his longevity and stamina. I am guessing that last year was a pretty big learning experience in terms of how to pace himself more effectively. I’ll bet that he will continue to learn and grow as he goes.
He’s definitely been pretty vocal about his intent and work to go deeper in games, and this season was definitely a huge step forward in that way. I hope you’re right in that it was a transitional season.
Seems like the changeup has to figure in heavily to going deeper in games. He has an effective one, and the fastball doesn’t have to be thrown quite so hard if you can change speeds. The biggest problem I see is that he is so good at missing bats, he doesn’t get weak contact very much. It’s hard to strike everyone out and go more than 6 innings.
Strider threw an average of 96 pitches per start last year with 68% strikes. To Stampton’s point, he just needs to change his approach slightly. He doesn’t have a durability issue at all. He’s just striking too many guys out, which is crazy to say. If once every couple of innings he can induce weak contact early in the count, then he can go an extra inning per start, and he’s instantly one of the top 3 pitchers in baseball.
Is there baseball yet….
Always love it when ST opens.
FWIW, Phila talk radio is all about two things when it comes to the Phillies:
1) Starting Pitching – specifically, extend Wheeler, who is in last year of contract, and/or sign another one. Most common name mentioned is Jordan Montgomery. Everyone up here hates Boras.
2) Outfielder. Rojas is excellent defensively but zero bat. Probably needs 600 AB’s at AAA. Their lineup is already loaded with lefty’s, so Bellinger seems not to be a fit. Biggest name talking here they may sign is Whit Merrifield. I think that’d be a good pickup for them! Adam Duval also mentioned.
Coolest quote: “Yeah, the Braves fell apart twice in a row in the playoffs. But they’re just too good to count on that again. They’ll win the division – again!”
Also pointed out how Phillies have avoided Dodgers in playoffs two years in a row.
Lots of respect for our Braves. One host said Acuna is easily the greatest player on the planet. “What about Ohtani?” Answer: “He ain’t pitching this year!”
Jordan Montgomery was sneaky good for a long time, but he must be asking for a ton of money right now. He’s already 31, so this is his one chance to get life-altering money, but neither he nor Bellinger were guys I looked at last spring and thought they’d be asking for $180 million.
Sorry for the delay in posts. I’ve been out of town and promised my wife I’d stay off the computer! Here’s Dylan Lee!