Projecting His Numbers
Of the three pitchers I’ve highlighted so far, Spencer Strider is by far the hardest to project. And like some of those comparisons I just made with Patino and Rodon, it might take Strider some time to become the starting pitcher we believe he can be.
My biggest concern is the size and him being able to hold that velocity deep into games over 160 innings.
If he can and he develops that slurve and change, we’re looking at a potential number two starter with an ERA sitting at 3.20-3.50 and a K/9 of 11.
However, if that doesn’t happen and he moves to the bullpen I think he’s a 2.50 ERA reliever with a K/9 of 13.
When Does He Play for the Braves
Even though he’s already made his debut with Atlanta, I would be somewhat shocked if we see him at the big league level anytime before the All-Star break in 2022.
In fact, unless the wheels just fall off in the starting rotation, I kind of hope we don’t see Strider again until the end of the 2022 season as a possible bullpen option for the postseason.
I want to see him be a starter because I think he has top of the rotation potential, but that means he needs more time in the minors to work on his other two offerings.
If starters are needed in 2022, I’d much rather see guys like Kyle Wright, Tucker Davidson, Kyle Muller, and even Bryce Elder get the call before Strider.
Let him continue to develop at Triple-A until he proves the slurve and change-up can be plus pitches for him. Once he has confidence in those other two pitches, let him loose.