Clemson Baseball: Strider to take on the American League’s best

Aug 15, 2022; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Spencer Strider (65) throws against the New York Mets in the first inning at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 15, 2022; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Spencer Strider (65) throws against the New York Mets in the first inning at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

Clemson baseball alumnus Spencer Strider wasn’t on the Atlanta Braves postseason roster last year as the Braves bested the Houston Astros in the Fall Classic, but Strider will get his chance against the Astros today at Truist Field in Atlanta.

Strider has been one of the topics du jour of the Major League Baseball season and the National League Rookie of the Year discussion.

Strider is 7-4 with a 3.04 ERA across 25 games, including 14 starts for the defending World Champions.

More than that, though, Strider has become must see TV (or Twitter) as his 98.2 MPH average four seam fastball, regularly hits 100 MPH+, which tends to draw attention, as does his 13.5 strikeouts per nine innings, which puts his strikeout percentage in the top 1% of the league.

Strider is more than a strikeout machine, though as his advanced stats are some of the best – his xBA, xSLG, wOBA, xwOBA and xERA are all in the top 7% or better in the league.

The four seam fastball is definitely Strider’s go to and he throws it 68.3% of the time, but don’t overlook his slider (26.5%), which batters are only batting .157 on and has a Whiff% (52.5%) almost double of his fastball (27.3%).

The combination of the two – 98.2 MPH fastball and an 86.1 MPH slider have devastated Major League batters this season to the tune of a .187 expected batting average on the season.

Clemson baseball alumnus Spencer Strider continues his march to the National League Rookie of the Year by taking on the American League’s best team

Strider struggles with command and efficiency at times, but given his upside that’s something the Braves are willing to work with.

Strider pitched at Clemson in 2018 and 2020, missing the 2019 campaign due to Tommy John surgery.

Strider recorded a 5-2 record with a 4.71 ERA with 89 strikeouts and 38 walks in 63 innings pitched with the Tigers.

The 23 year old was the Braves fourth round pick in the 2020 MLB draft.

The Braves signed Strider for $449,300 and he’s making $710,000 this season, which is a bargain given the attention each start brings.

Strider will take on an Astros team with the best record in the American League, but one that’s been inconsistent at the plate with a mediocre team batting average, but better peripherals, including the third best wOBA in the league.

Schedule

Schedule