Clemson in MLB: Strider signs massive extension with Braves

Former Clemson baseball pitcher Spencer Strider has signed a massive extension with the Atlanta Braves.

Early reports indicate the two sides have agreed on a six-year, $75M deal that runs through the 2028 season. The deal includes a $22M option and a $5M buyout for 2029.

Strider hasn’t pitched since September 18 due to an oblique injury and it remains to be seen if he’ll be on the team’s NLDS roster that should be announced today.

Strider is 11-5 with a 2.67 ERA and 202 strikeouts in 131.2 innings pitched and is considered one of the leaders for the National League Rookie of the Year Award.

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

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

Strider was the Braves fourth round pick in the 2020 MLB draft and through a combination of the pandemic wiping out the 2020 season and his performance only totaled 94 minor league innings before debuting with Atlanta late last year.

As we’ve pointed out previously, these type of extensions have become common as they benefit both sides.

The Braves now have control of a phenomenal young pitcher through 2029, while Strider is guaranteed $75,000,000 no matter what happens.

While it’s easy to say this is a team friendly deal, and it certainly may end up that way in the end, Strider is financially protected against injury that could derail his career before he reaches the ability for arbitration or free agency and the Braves are on the hook for the entire amount if he’s injured tomorrow, next week or next season and can never pitch again.

Former Clemson baseball pitcher Spencer Strider will remain with Braves for bulk of career

Strider will be almost 32 years old when the deal is scheduled to end in 2029, an age when power pitchers typically begin a decline.

That said, Strider’s surgically repaired right arm is still whistling 100 MPH fastballs past hitters, so perhaps he can be an outlier in more ways than one.