Spencer Strider

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Atlanta Braves #5 prospect in 2022
  Track Record: Strider was a high-profile pitching prospect in high school and pitched well when healthy at Clemson, but he missed all of 2019 after having Tommy John surgery and made only four starts in 2020 before the coronavirus pandemic canceled the season. The Braves were high on Strider’s stuff and aptitude despite his limited innings and drafted him in the fourth round, signing him for $449,300. Strider rewarded that faith by vaulting four levels from Low-A Augusta to the majors.
  
  Scouting Report: Strider uses an upper-90s fastball with riding life at the top of strike the zone to overwhelm his competition, and changes to his pitch mix helped set the stage for his meteoric rise. The Braves largely shelved his changeup and curveball and had him throw his plus-plus four-seam fastball up in the zone paired with a vertical slider down in the zone. Strider’s slider improved with the focus on the pitch and has the potential to be an above-average offering if he improves its consistency. Strider began re-working the changeup into his arsenal in the second half of the season, but it’s a fringy offering that remains a third pitch. He throws plenty of strikes with average control.
  
  The Future: The Braves view Strider as a starter, although his two-pitch mix makes him a likely reliever in external evaluators’ eyes. He will begin 2022 in Triple-A Gwinnett’s rotation.
  

Draft Prospects

• Ranked #139 prospect in 2017 draft
  The top prep prospect out of Tennessee, Strider wowed scouts this spring with his ability to consistently pitch in the low 90s and regularly hit 95 and 96 mph. Just six feet tall, Strider is a stout-bodied righthander who makes up for his undersized frame with a fast arm and a repeatable, balanced delivery. He goes right after hitters with his fastball, and throws a lot of first-pitch strikes, good enough for average fastball control now and potentially plus down the road. While Strider was able to overpower hitters with velocity in his private school division in Tennessee, his fastball doesn't show much life and he currently doesn't have a solid out pitch. The best breaking balls he has shown were frequently outside of the zone and when he did show a changeup, it was also a fringe-average pitch.

• December, 2021 Scouting Report
  Track Record: Strider was a high-profile pitching prospect in high school and pitched well when healthy at Clemson, but he missed all of 2019 after having Tommy John surgery and made only four starts in 2020 before the coronavirus pandemic canceled the season. The Braves were high on Strider’s stuff and aptitude despite his limited innings and drafted him in the fourth round, signing him for $449,300. Strider rewarded that faith by vaulting four levels from Low-A Augusta to the majors.
  
  Scouting Report: Strider uses an upper-90s fastball with riding life at the top of strike the zone to overwhelm his competition, and changes to his pitch mix helped set the stage for his meteoric rise. The Braves largely shelved his changeup and curveball and had him throw his plus-plus four-seam fastball up in the zone paired with a vertical slider down in the zone. Strider’s slider improved with the focus on the pitch and has the potential to be an above-average offering if he improves its consistency. Strider began re-working the changeup into his arsenal in the second half of the season, but it’s a fringy offering that remains a third pitch. He throws plenty of strikes with average control.
  
  The Future: The Braves view Strider as a starter, although his two-pitch mix makes him a likely reliever in external evaluators’ eyes. He will begin 2022 in Triple-A Gwinnett’s rotation.
  
• July, 2021 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Strider was a high-profile recruit in high school and led Clemson in strikeouts as a freshman, whiffing 70 batters in just 51 innings. He missed his sophomore season after having Tommy John surgery, but he returned to the mound as a junior and struck out 19 batters in 12 innings before the season shut down. The Braves drafted him in the fourth round and signed him for a $449,300 signing bonus.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Strider is undersized at just 6-feet tall, but he has a big, four-seam fastball that gets into the mid-90s. He also has the feel to spin a breaking ball, but the Braves aren't yet sure if he should focus on developing a hard slider or a curveball. Strider also throws a changeup, but it is well behind his fastball and breaking ball. Strider was at the team's alternate training site, where he tried to adjust to the professional strike zone. It's unlikely Strider ever has average command, but he is athletic enough to repeat his delivery and throw strikes. The Braves love his makeup.
  
  THE FUTURE: Strider carries plenty of risk given the Tommy John surgery already on his resume. He projects best as a reliever.
• March, 2021 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Strider was a high-profile recruit in high school and led Clemson in strikeouts as a freshman, whiffing 70 batters in just 51 innings. He missed his sophomore season after having Tommy John surgery, but he returned to the mound as a junior and struck out 19 batters in 12 innings before the season shut down. The Braves drafted him in the fourth round and signed him for a $449,300 signing bonus.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Strider is undersized at just 6-feet tall, but he has a big, four-seam fastball that gets into the mid-90s. He also has the feel to spin a breaking ball, but the Braves aren't yet sure if he should focus on developing a hard slider or a curveball. Strider also throws a changeup, but it is well behind his fastball and breaking ball. Strider was at the team's alternate training site, where he tried to adjust to the professional strike zone. It's unlikely Strider ever has average command, but he is athletic enough to repeat his delivery and throw strikes. The Braves love his makeup.
  
  THE FUTURE: Strider carries plenty of risk given the Tommy John surgery already on his resume. He projects best as a reliever.