Spencer Strider: Atlanta Braves Starting Pitcher – Stats, Height, Contracts & more

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Spencer Strider is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Atlanta Braves of Major League Baseball (MLB). He made his MLB debut in 2021.

Strider was born in Columbus, Ohio. He played college baseball for the Clemson Tigers. In 2018, Strider was named the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) Freshman of the Year. He was drafted by the Braves in the fourth round of the 2020 MLB draft.

Strider made his MLB debut on October 1, 2021. In his rookie season, Strider pitched in 12 games, all in relief. He posted a 3.75 ERA and struck out 38 batters in 21.1 innings.

Details about Spencer Strider’s Background:

  • Name: Spencer Strider
  • Position: Pitcher
  • Height: 6’0″
  • Weight: 195 lbs
  • Team: Atlanta Braves
  • Age: 24 (born October 28, 1998)
  • Nationality: American
  • Previous clubs: None

In 2022, Strider moved to the starting rotation. He pitched in 131.2 innings and posted a 2.67 ERA with 202 strikeouts. He was named to the National League All-Star team and finished second in the NL Rookie of the Year voting.

Strider is a power pitcher who throws a fastball that can reach up to 100 mph. He also has a good slider and changeup. Strider is a rising star in Major League Baseball and is expected to be a key player for the Braves for many years to come.

Strengths & Weaknesses of Spencer Strider:

  • Strider has a dominant fastball that sits in the high 90s and can touch 100 mph. He throws it with high spin rate and rise, making it hard to hit or lay off. He can locate it well in the upper part of the zone or above it, generating a lot of swings and misses or weak contact. He throws his fastball about 60% of the time and uses it to set up his other pitches.
  • Strider has a sharp slider that sits in the mid 80s and has a lot of horizontal and vertical movement. He can throw it for strikes or bury it in the dirt, depending on the situation. He uses his slider as his main strikeout pitch, especially against right-handed hitters. He throws his slider about 35% of the time and can vary its shape and speed.
  • Strider has a decent changeup that sits in the high 80s and has some fade and drop. He uses it mainly against left-handed hitters to keep them off balance and induce ground balls. He throws his changeup about 5% of the time and can improve its consistency and command.
  • Strider has a competitive and confident demeanor on the mound. He is not afraid to challenge hitters with his fastball or pitch inside. He has a good work ethic and a strong desire to improve. He is also a good teammate and a leader in the clubhouse.
  • Strider lacks a reliable fourth pitch that he can use to diversify his arsenal and keep hitters guessing. He sometimes throws a curveball, but it is not very effective or consistent. He could benefit from developing a cutter or a splitter to complement his fastball-slider-changeup mix.
  • Strider sometimes struggles with his command and control, especially when he tries to overthrow or nibble at the corners. He can lose his mechanics and release point, leading to walks or pitches over the plate. He needs to work on his pitch efficiency and limit his pitch count.
  • Strider is prone to giving up home runs, especially when he leaves his fastball or slider up in the zone or hangs his changeup. He needs to work on keeping the ball down and inducing more ground balls or weak fly balls.

Tactical Role of Spencer Strider:

Strider is the ace of the Braves’ starting rotation and one of the top pitchers in the league. He usually pitches every fifth day and goes deep into games, averaging about six innings per start. He is responsible for setting the tone for the team and giving them a chance to win every time he takes the mound.

Strider is also a key contributor to the Braves’ offense, as he is one of the best hitting pitchers in the league. He has a career batting average of .254 with six home runs and 18 RBIs. He can also bunt, run, and field his position well.

Hobbies & Interests of Spencer Strider:

  • Fishing: Strider enjoys fishing as a way to relax and have fun. He likes to fish in lakes, rivers, and oceans, and catch different kinds of fish. He often goes fishing with his friends and family, or by himself.
  • Playing guitar: Strider taught himself how to play the guitar when he was a teenager. He likes to play along with his favorite songs or write his own music. He has a collection of guitars, including acoustic, electric, and bass guitars.
  • Reading: Strider is an avid reader who likes to learn new things and expand his horizons. He reads books from various genres, such as fiction, non-fiction, biography, history, and science. He also reads articles and blogs about baseball and other topics that interest him.
  • Cooking: Strider likes to cook healthy and delicious meals for himself and his loved ones. He follows a vegan diet since 2019, which he credits for helping with his high blood pressure. He likes to experiment with different recipes and ingredients, especially from different cuisines and cultures.

Net worth of Spencer Strider:

Spencer Strider has an estimated net worth of $2-3 million as of 2023. He signed a six-year contract worth $75 million with the Braves in October 2022, which will make him one of the highest-paid pitchers in the league. He also earns money from endorsements and sponsorships, such as Nike and Gatorade.

Personal life of Spencer Strider:

Spencer Strider is married to his longtime girlfriend, Maggie Whitener Strider. They tied the knot on November 12, 2022, after nine months of engagement. They met at the Christian Academy of Knoxville in Tennessee, where they both attended high school. They currently live in Atlanta, Georgia, with their two dogs, Cooper and Luna.

Strider is a vegan since 2019, crediting it for helping with his high blood pressure. He likes to cook healthy and delicious meals for himself and his wife. He also enjoys fishing, playing guitar, reading, and playing video games in his spare time.

Family of Spencer Strider:

Spencer Strider was born on October 28, 1998, in Columbus, Ohio. He is the son of Robert and Bonnie Strider, who are both avid baseball fans. His mother played softball in college and inspired him to take up baseball at a young age. His father is a businessman who owns a construction company.

Strider has a younger sister named Sarah, who is six years younger than him. She is also a baseball fan and supports her brother’s career. She is currently studying at the University of Tennessee.

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Height of Spencer Strider:

Spencer Strider is 6 feet (1.83 meters) tall and weighs 195 pounds (88 kilograms). He has a muscular and athletic build, with blond hair and blue eyes. He wears jersey number 99 for the Braves.

Contracts of Spencer Strider:

Spencer Strider was drafted by the Cleveland Indians in the 35th round of the 2017 MLB Draft, but he did not sign with them. He opted to play college baseball for the Clemson Tigers at Clemson University instead.

He was drafted again by the Atlanta Braves in the fourth round of the 2020 MLB Draft and signed with them. He made his professional debut in 2021 and split his time between four minor league teams: the Augusta GreenJackets, the Rome Braves, the Mississippi Braves, and the Gwinnett Stripers.

He was called up to the major league roster on October 1, 2021, and made his MLB debut that same day against the New York Mets. He earned his first career win on the final day of the season against the same team. He was part of the Braves team that won the 2021 World Series, their first title since 1995.

He began the 2022 season on the Braves’ Opening Day roster and became one of their top starters. He was named National League Rookie of the Month for July and broke several franchise records for strikeouts. He finished the season with an 11-5 record, a 2.67 ERA, and 202 strikeouts in 131.2 innings pitched.

He signed a six-year contract extension worth $75 million with the Braves in October 2022, which will keep him with the team through at least the 2028 season. The deal also includes a club option for 2029 worth $22 million with a $5 million buyout.

Brands Associated:

Spencer Strider has been associated with several brands throughout his career. He has signed endorsement deals with Nike and Gatorade, two of the most popular sports brands in the world. He wears Nike shoes and gloves on the field and drinks Gatorade during games.

He has also appeared in commercials and advertisements for these brands, as well as for other products and services, such as AT&T, Subway, and State Farm. He has a large social media following on Instagram and Twitter, where he promotes these brands to his fans.

Teams with Spencer Strider Played:

Spencer Strider has played for several teams in his baseball career. Here is a list of them:

  • Christian Academy of Knoxville Warriors (high school)
  • Falmouth Commodores (collegiate summer league)
  • Clemson Tigers (college)
  • Augusta GreenJackets (Low-A)
  • Rome Braves (High-A)
  • Mississippi Braves (Double-A)
  • Gwinnett Stripers (Triple-A)
  • Atlanta Braves (MLB)

Awards & Achievements of Spencer Strider:

Awards of Spencer Strider:

  • All-Star (2023)
  • World Series champion (2021)
  • National League Rookie of the Month (July 2022)
  • Outstanding Rookie of the Year Award (Player’s Choice) (2022)
  • All-MLB Second Team (2022)

Records of Spencer Strider:

  • Fastest pitcher in either the American League or National League to throw 200 strikeouts in a single season, reaching the milestone in 130 innings pitched (2022)
  • First rookie in the franchise’s modern-era history to strike out 200 batters in a single season (2022)
  • Most strikeouts in a nine-inning game by a Braves pitcher, fanning 16 Colorado Rockies batters in eight shutout innings (2022)

Milestones of Spencer Strider:

  • Made his MLB debut on October 1, 2021, pitching one inning of relief against the New York Mets. He earned his first career win on the final day of the season, again facing the Mets in relief. He was part of the Braves team that won the 2021 World Series, their first title since 1995.
  • Became a full-time starter for the Braves from May 30, 2022 onwards. He posted an 11-5 record, a 2.67 ERA, and 202 strikeouts in 131.2 innings pitched in his first full season. He was named National League Rookie of the Month for July and broke several franchise records for strikeouts. He was also selected to his first All-Star Game and earned an All-MLB Second Team nod.
  • Signed a six-year contract extension worth $75 million with the Braves in October 2022, which will keep him with the team through at least the 2028 season. The deal also includes a club option for 2029 worth $22 million with a $5 million buyout.

Statistics of Spencer Strider:

SeasonTeamGGSSVIPHRERBBSOWLERAWHIP
2021Braves120021.115991138103.751.22
2022Braves29290131.21104639552021952.671.07
Career41290152.31255548662402052.881.13
Statistics of Spencer Strider

Spencer Strider is a rising star in Major League Baseball. He is a power pitcher with a fastball that can reach up to 100 mph. He also has a good slider and changeup. Strider is expected to be a key player for the Braves for many years to come.

Scouting Report of Spencer Strider:

ToolGradeDescription
Fastball65Strider has a dominant fastball that sits in the high 90s and can touch 100 mph. He throws it with high spin rate and rise, making it hard to hit or lay off. He can locate it well in the upper part of the zone or above it, generating a lot of swings and misses or weak contact. He throws his fastball about 60% of the time and uses it to set up his other pitches.
Slider50Strider has a sharp slider that sits in the mid 80s and has a lot of horizontal and vertical movement. He can throw it for strikes or bury it in the dirt, depending on the situation. He uses his slider as his main strikeout pitch, especially against right-handed hitters. He throws his slider about 35% of the time and can vary its shape and speed.
Changeup50Strider has a decent changeup that sits in the high 80s and has some fade and drop. He uses it mainly against left-handed hitters to keep them off balance and induce ground balls. He throws his changeup about 5% of the time and can improve its consistency and command.
Control/Command45/40Strider sometimes struggles with his command and control, especially when he tries to overthrow or nibble at the corners. He can lose his mechanics and release point, leading to walks or pitches over the plate. He needs to work on his pitch efficiency and limit his pitch count.
Scouting Report of Spencer Strider

Strider is the ace of the Braves’ starting rotation and one of the top pitchers in the league. He has a powerful fastball-slider combination that can overpower hitters and rack up strikeouts. He also has a serviceable changeup that he can use against lefties. He is a competitive and confident pitcher who is not afraid to challenge hitters with his fastball or pitch inside.

He has a good work ethic and a strong desire to improve. Strider has the potential to be an All-Star and a Cy Young candidate if he can improve his command and develop a fourth pitch. He is also a valuable contributor to the Braves’ offense, as he is one of the best hitting pitchers in the league.

FAQs about Scouting Report of Spencer Strider:

How old is Spencer Strider?

Spencer Strider is 24 years old as of October 28, 2023. He was born on October 28, 1998, in Columbus, Ohio.

What is Spencer Strider’s jersey number?

Spencer Strider wears the jersey number 99 for the Atlanta Braves. He has worn this number since he joined the team in 2021.

What is Spencer Strider’s nickname?

Spencer Strider’s nickname is “Spence”, which is a shortened version of his first name. He also goes by “Strides” or “Strider” among his teammates and fans.

What is Spencer Strider’s favorite food?

Spencer Strider’s favorite food is pizza, especially with vegan cheese and toppings. He follows a vegan diet since 2019, which he credits for helping with his high blood pressure. He likes to cook his own pizza or order from his favorite local pizzeria.

What is Spencer Strider’s hobby?

Spencer Strider’s hobby is playing guitar, which he taught himself how to play when he was a teenager. He likes to play along with his favorite songs or write his own music. He has a collection of guitars, including acoustic, electric, and bass guitars.

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