SEATTLE – Inquiring minds might’ve been more captivated by Spencer Strider’s mustache than his right arm during Monday’s All-Star media day.
Just how many questions about his signature look? “Already too many,” Strider told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution after he’d entertained a couple of grooming questions. One media member even told him the ‘stache was charming.
Strider’s greatness – and facial hair – is new to the All-Star stage, but it’s nothing that hasn’t been discussed and written about countless times down South. This was the national media’s opportunity to get up close with Strider, the 24-year-old who’s perplexed hitters since last spring and struck out 14 batters per nine innings over that time.
Some players veer from attention at All-Star media day. Strider doesn’t fall under that umbrella. He seemed to enjoy the 45-minute session, answering each thoughtful or goofy question. Among the highlights, as noted by Cespedes Family BBQ: Strider invoked the term “supinated release” during an interview with a seven-year-old. The youngster seems well on his way to a fine journalism career getting such quotes.
Strider’s amusing aura perfectly complements his pitching. He won’t showcase his arm in Seattle – like All-Star teammate Bryce Elder, Strider pitched this past weekend and will rest before games resume – but Strider isn’t a secret anymore. Fans are well aware of his flair.
He has a 3.44 ERA over 18 starts. He leads the majors in strikeouts, fanning 166 hitters in 104-2/3 innings. Considering he had 20 career outings entering the year – and just 133 innings – it’s fair to feel Strider’s best is still ahead of him. What a tantalizing thought for the Braves and their enthusiasts.
Here’s a tidbit from ESPN stats and info: Strider is the second pitcher in the All-Star era (since 1933) to strike out 160 hitters while allowing 80 or fewer hits entering the All-Star break. The other was Max Scherzer in 2017. He won the Cy Young award.
Strider might earn the honor with a big second half. He closed the first half by pitching 6-1/3 scoreless innings with 11 strikeouts against Tampa Bay. More of those, and Strider could be the franchise’s first Cy Young winner since John Smoltz in 1996.
He has two flashy factors working for him: He piles up strikeouts and his team is a behemoth, therefore drawing more attention his way. The minds in Vegas have Strider third in Cy Young odds behind Arizona’s Zac Gallen and the Dodgers’ Clayton Kershaw.
But Strider even being in the conversation is a testament to his ability. He was at Clemson in 2020. He pitched only 63 collegiate innings, missing the 2019 campaign and logging only 12 frames during the pandemic-shortened season.
“Sometimes it does (feel like a long time ago),” Strider said, looking back on his collegiate days. “Bryce and I were talking about that. We’re from the same draft class. Something came up and he said, ‘Man, I was in college three years ago.’ Sometimes it feels like a big number. Sometimes it doesn’t. It was a fun experience at Clemson.
“Tommy John (surgery in 2019) was a big reset for me in a lot of ways. I sort of think of myself pre and post Tommy John. Then COVID happened in 2020 and it ended Clemson for me. It was nice, I did get to spend some time there on campus alone and have a daily lifestyle there before I left campus. I haven’t had a lot of opportunities to go back. It was good experience.”
The lack of exposure worked in the Braves’ favor. Uncertainty dropped Strider to the fourth round. He remained largely unnoticed in the minors, amazingly never making a top-100 prospect list. Yet two years after being drafted, he set the Atlanta Braves record with 16 strikeouts against the Rockies.
His strikeout numbers have put him in trivia with names like Nolan Ryan and Randy Johnson. Generally, to be a postseason-caliber No. 1 starter, one must overpower hitters. There might not be a more overwhelming pitcher than Strider.
“It’s more than just velocity,” Elder said. “It’s the velocity and command. The Gerrit Coles, Clayton Kershaws, Spencer Striders.”
Strider’s 14.3 strikeouts per nine innings this season would be better than any Scherzer campaign. In Cole’s best season, he averaged 13.8 strikeouts per nine at age 28. Justin Verlander’s best mark came in 2018 when he struck out 12.2 per nine innings. Inexperience, to this point, hasn’t hindered Strider one iota.
These days, everything’s coming up Braves. Strider is a prime example; how they acquired him, how quickly he developed, how he’s carried himself as a professional, how they’ve already inked him to a long-term extension. This was Strider’s first All-Star Game. Pitchers can be volatile, but Strider sure hasn’t been. He seems like a safe bet to be in more of these.
And he won’t want to hear it, but as long as he keeps his style, that means plenty more mustache questions await.
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