Another night, another gem from Spencer Schwellenbach, and Atlanta Braves fans are starting to get used to it. The young right-hander carved up the Philadelphia Phillies over six gritty innings, surrendering just one earned run on seven hits and two walks while punching out five.
It was a game full of twists—extra innings, weather delays, late dramatics—but Schwellenbach was the steady hand on the wheel. Atlanta walked off with a 4-2 win, and their sophomore starter kept building his early-season legend.
The Streak Ends, But the Dominance Doesn’t
Let’s not bury the lede: Schwellenbach’s scoreless inning streak to open the season came to a close. Unofficially, it lasted 16 2/3 innings—officially, 16. That’s impressive enough on its own. But step back and look at the full body of work, and it becomes clear this kid is on another level.
He’s now given up just one run over 20 innings, and his numbers are straight out of a video game: 0.45 ERA, 0.65 WHIP, 895 ERA+, and a 1.2 WAR to kick things off. Yes, eight hundred ninety-five. Not a typo.
Manager Brian Snitker isn’t even surprised anymore. “We’re getting to the point where we’re kind of expecting that,” he said before Schwellenbach’s most recent outing.
And why not? He’s already shown he can neutralize offenses like the Padres and Phillies—both playoff-caliber clubs—and he’s doing it with the poise of a 10-year vet.
A Gamer Through and Through
There’s something about the spotlight that brings out the best in Schwellenbach. When facing teams with a winning record, he’s compiled an 8-3 record, 2.41 ERA, and 0.87 WHIP across 17 starts.
He doesn’t shy away—he locks in. In his first start of the year, he blanked the San Diego Padres across six innings and was on pace to go deeper before a rain delay cut the night short at 80 pitches.
And speaking of that Phillies start? Another delay, another win. The Braves bullpen and Schwellenbach teamed up like clockwork again, keeping a dangerous offense mostly quiet under chaotic conditions.
Fielding Like a Gold Glover For the Braves
But what sets Schwellenbach apart—what really rounds out the package—isn’t just what he does with his arm. It’s what he does with his glove. On Thursday night, he ended his final inning with a flashy double play, spearing a chopper and flipping it to second base like he’d been doing it his whole life. Turns out he has.
“I practiced that in high school,” Schwellenbach said. “My coach was huge on throwing and coming set toward home plate to field my position.” That past as a shortstop? It’s paying dividends now, making him one of the most complete pitchers on the mound today.
Early Cy Talk For the Braves Starter?
Just last year, a Braves starter pulled off the rare Cy Young–Gold Glove double in the National League. Now? Schwellenbach is quietly entering the chat. Three starts in, and he’s not just putting up ace-level numbers—he’s doing it with style, consistency, and elite defense. That’s a scary combination.
The Braves are 3-0 in his starts, and every time he takes the hill, the expectation shifts from hope to confidence. That’s not normal for a second-year guy—but Spencer Schwellenbach isn’t your average sophomore.
