After weeks of searching for signs, Spencer Strider finally gave the Atlanta Braves a glimpse of what’s possible.
On Saturday, the flamethrower delivered his best outing of the 2025 season. This 13-strikeout, scoreless gem not only reminded fans what he’s capable of but also hinted that his post-surgery climb might be leveling off into something far more promising.
Strider’s performance wasn’t just dominant. It was instructive. After five shaky starts to open the year, the velocity, command, and wipeout slider were all there — and so was the humility to admit there is still work to do.
The Velo Is Back
The radar gun is one of the clearest indicators that Strider is rounding back into form. His fastball averaged 96.2 mph and topped out at 98.1 — both notable increases from his previous start, when he sat at 94.8 and maxed at 96.5.
That added zip helped him miss bats early, but it was the slider that truly stole the show. Strider racked up seven strikeouts with the pitch, using it more effectively as his outing wore on. His ability to build and adjust mid-game speaks volumes about where his mechanics and rhythm are heading.
Honest About the Road Ahead
Despite the performance, Strider isn’t getting ahead of himself. In Braves postgame comments, he was clear-eyed about the reality he’s facing as a pitcher recovering from elbow surgery. “As much as I’d like to move past that, I had elbow surgery a year ago. So, that’s going to be a relevant factor whether I like it or not for the foreseeable future.”
Strider knows that success moving forward won’t just be about overpowering hitters — it’s going to come from self-awareness and the ability to adjust on the fly. “Just trying to be honest and objective with how I’m moving… Trying to solve those problems as they come up is gonna be big for me.”
Progress With Patience
The sixth inning served as a litmus test for both Strider and manager Brian Snitker. After 87 pitches, the two conferred, and while Strider felt strong enough to continue, Snitker pulled the plug — not out of caution, but out of satisfaction. He’s watching the long game, and right now, six efficient innings from Strider is the target.
“I think today, for me, was a big step forward,” Snitker said. “You just got to be patient with him, and he’s doing everything right.”
This slow ramp-up is by design. Strider is hovering around the 90-pitch mark as he builds back his arm strength, and while fans might crave seven-inning dominance, that’s not the point right now. The point is progress. And Saturday’s outing delivered plenty of it.
Building Toward the Future
There’s still work to do. Strider noted some inconsistencies late in the start and acknowledged he’s not yet where he wants to be in terms of extending outings. But for a guy who entered the game with questions about velocity, command, and effectiveness, this was a clear signpost.
The Braves — a team still trying to find its balance — need Strider more than ever. Not just as a rotation staple but as a tone-setter. Saturday proved that version of him still exists. And with each outing, the leash will grow a little longer, the velocity a little higher, and the slider a little sharper.
This was no fluke. This was a step forward. The kind that might, in time, set the stage for a full-on Strider resurgence before the curtain drops in 2025.
