Spencer Strider’s pitching career thus far has not involved a lot of pitching. Despite missing all of 2019 with an injury, the former Clemson righty was selected by the Atlanta Braves in the fourth round of the 2020 MLB draft and earned an invite to “spring training.”
The 22-year-old righty is still a lot of projection. After a 2018 freshman season at Clemson in which he both started and came out of the bullpen, he missed 2019 with Tommy John surgery. He was able to start in four games for Clemson in 2020 before college baseball came to a halt.
Now, he is an Atlanta Brave. Let’s check out what we know about Strider.
What went right in 2020?
Strider got selected by a MLB team. That is a big “what went right” for Strider when you consider he’s pitched all of 63 innings since joining the Clemson pitching staff in 2018.
Strider is listed at 6-foot and 195 pounds, but certainly brings the heat. Heading into 2020, Strider saw an uptick in velocity, which is huge coming off of TJS. He hit 95 on the gun for Clemson and most reports indicate that he was touching 99 at times in Gwinnett. He slides his back foot into his delivery, and last we saw him, there is some effort when he pumps.
Strider has a three-pitch repertoire — with his curveball his weakest offering — and has shown a lot of promise despite early career struggles with command.
What went wrong in 2020?
As for many of us, 2020 is what went wrong for Strider this year. We all know that Tommy John surgery takes time to come back from, even for a 22-year-old. While we know he is pumping, we don’t know much about everything else.
Reports are his changeup and breaking stuff are improving, with the former projected to be above average. He also struck out 19 and walked just three in his 12 innings in the Clemson rotation, which is very promising, especially after walking 35 in 51 healthy innings as a freshman.
But for a young, developing arm — especially coming off TJS — pitching, and competitive pitching at that, is what Strider needs most. He has been deprived of that thanks to the wonderful year that 2020 has been.
What to expect in 2021
The Braves have the luxury of being patient with Strider, considering he Is currently one of 11 righties in MLB Pipeline’s top 30. Not only is that a luxury for the Braves, it gives Strider time to improve his secondaries and stick as a starter.
While there are a few questions we need answered with so little competitive pitching over the past two years, we do know he has always been on the radar. He was a star in high school, being drafted by the Indians in 2018. He was then a freshman All-American and earned All-ACC freshman honors. There’s no reason to expect him to slow down now.
With effort in his delivery and past command issues, Strider may be destined for the bullpen, but I don’t think that’s what the Braves have in mind. We should see Strider continue to start until he proves he shouldn’t.
Strider is currently listed on the GCL roster. While I wouldn’t expect him to be a fast climber, you should expect him to make quick work of the lower levels, whatever that may look like in 2021.