Spencer Strider Continues to Grow as a Pitcher

Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Spencer Strider struggled in 2025 after having Tommy John surgery. With the right-hander now two years removed from the surgery, Braves pitching coach Jeremy Hefner said Strider is willing to “try new things” to get better.

In 2025, Strider went 7-14 with a 4.45 ERA in 23 starts and had a career low 131 strikeouts in 125 1/3 innings. In three games this spring, the former All-Star has a 3.24 ERA and 11 strikeouts in 8 1/3 innings.

Braves’ Spencer Strider Adding to His Repertoire, Showing Willingness to Grow as a Pitcher

Strider entered the major leagues as a power pitcher, featuring a four-seamer that hit triple digits. His dominance with only two pitches (fastball/slider) led to him winning 20 games in 2023 and finishing fourth in Cy Young Award voting.

Braves manager Walt Weiss liked Strider’s willingness to get better when he added a curveball to his repertoire in 2024.

“When he got to us as a kid, his first time in the big leagues, he didn’t really have a breaking ball,” Braves manager Walt Weiss said. “He had a little slider, but then did some work. Now it’s really good. And he got a curveball. He throws a changeup. He had to do those things to survive last year because he didn’t have his fastball. Now the fastball is trending like it is, and you add the other stuff, it’s exciting.”

Strider generated a 53.7 percent whiff rate on his curveball in 2024.

Strider Needs to Be a Pitcher, Not a Thrower

The Braves are counting on Strider to be their No. 2 starter this season. Left-hander Chris Sale will be the team’s ace.

So far this spring, the Braves have had multiple injuries to pitchers in the starting rotation. Left-handed Joey Wentz was the latest casualty, missing 2026 with an ACL tear.

Since having Tommy John surgery, Strider’s fastball hasn’t been the same. In a start on March 5 against the Toronto Blue Jays, his fastball topped out at 96.7mph. Not having that triple-digit fastball will hurt Strider’s game, but it doesn’t mean it’s the end. In his start on Wednesday, Strider pitched four innings and struck out five Tampa Bay Rays.