Spencer Strider's Breakout 2022 Season for the Atlanta Braves

The Emergence of Spencer Strider and His Braves Jersey

The Atlanta Braves have seen the emergence of an exciting young pitcher in Spencer Strider. After being drafted in 2020, Strider rose through the Braves minor league system and made his MLB debut in 2021. However, 2022 was his breakout year, as he established himself as a dominant starter in the Braves rotation.

One of the things that makes Strider stand out is his overpowering fastball. He routinely hits 100 mph on the radar gun and combines it with a sharp slider to strike out batters at an impressive rate. In just 131 1/3 innings in 2022, Strider recorded 202 strikeouts while posting a 2.67 ERA. This earned him a spot on the National League All-Star team in just his first full season.

Strider's MLB Debut and First Season

The Braves initially called up Strider in 2021, when he made his MLB debut on April 29th against the Chicago Cubs. He pitched 2 1/3 innings of relief, allowing 3 hits and no runs while striking out 4 batters. Strider would appear in 16 more games in relief that season, pitching a total of 22 2/3 innings with a 3.89 ERA and 34 strikeouts.

While showing potential, it was in 2022 that Strider truly arrived for the Braves. After starting the year in the bullpen, he was moved into the rotation in May. As a starter, Strider took his game to another level. In 20 starts, he went 11-5 with a 2.67 ERA while striking out 153 batters in 92 innings. This included a stretch in June and July where he had 5 consecutive starts with at least 10 strikeouts.

Strider's Dominant Strikeout Abilities

Without a doubt, the most impressive aspect of Strider's game is his ability to strike out batters. His 202 strikeouts in 2022 ranked 5th in the National League, while his 11.9 strikeouts per 9 innings rate was the best among qualified starters.

Strider accomplished this with a fastball that averaged 98.6 mph, the fastest among starting pitchers. He also mixed in a slider with a whopping 46.5% strikeout rate. When batters geared up for the fastball, Strider would often freeze them with the sharp break of his slider.

The strikeout ability was on full display on September 1st when Strider struck out 16 Colorado Rockies batters. This set a new Braves franchise record. For a pitcher in just his first full MLB season, it showed just how dominant Strider could be.

Strider's Style and Braves Jersey

Beyond his pitching, Spencer Strider also brings an eccentric style and flair to the Braves. He has become known for his thick mustache, colorful custom cleats, and his lighthearted attitude. This has quickly made him a fan favorite in Atlanta.

Like all Braves players, Strider wears the team's traditional jersey. The classic white home jersey features "Braves" in navy blue cursive writing with red accents. Strider's #65 stands out boldly on the back in red with a white outline. There's no doubt Braves fans will be scooping up Strider jerseys as he continues his rise to stardom.

Outlook for Strider and the Braves

After winning the World Series in 2021, the Braves are looking to make another run in 2023. A full season of Strider in the starting rotation gives them an excellent shot. If he can come close to repeating his 2022 performance, Strider could find himself in Cy Young contention.

The Braves will also get ace Mike Soroka back from injury to combine with Max Fried and Kyle Wright in forming a lethal postseason rotation. Offensively, they're led by Austin Riley, Dansby Swanson, and MVP candidate Ronald Acuña Jr.

At just 23 years old, Spencer Strider appears to be part of the next generation of Braves stars. Along with his electric stuff and bold personality, he's poised to become a cornerstone in Atlanta for years to come. Braves fans can look forward to watching Strider mow down batters while wearing their #65 jerseys for the foreseeable future.

FAQs

When did Spencer Strider make his MLB debut?

Strider made his MLB debut with the Atlanta Braves on April 29, 2021 against the Chicago Cubs. He pitched 2 1/3 innings of relief in the game.

What type of pitches does Spencer Strider throw?

Strider relies heavily on an overpowering four-seam fastball that sits around 98-100 mph. His main off-speed pitch is a sharp slider in the mid 80s that has a lot of downward break.

How old is Spencer Strider?

Strider was born on October 7, 1998. He made his MLB debut at age 22 and had his breakout season at age 23 in 2022.

What number does Spencer Strider wear?

Strider wears #65 for the Atlanta Braves. The bold red #65 stands out on the classic Braves white home jersey.

How many strikeouts did Strider have in 2022?

In his first full MLB season in 2022, Strider struck out 202 batters over 131 1/3 innings pitched across both starting and relief appearances.