Spencer Strider looked far more like the dominant version of himself from 2023 on Saturday night against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Holding Los Angeles’ explosive lineup to just one hit was an undeniably encouraging performance. For the Atlanta Braves, the word encouraging can be used to describe much of the club’s pitching staff thus far in 2026. Entering Saturday's game, Atlanta owned the third-best ERA (3.20) in all of baseball.
The Braves’ early-season success on the mound can be attributed to several factors, but at the center of it all is first-year pitching coach Jeremy Hefner. Atlanta capitalized on the opportunity to hire Hefner this offseason after he was largely made the scapegoat for the Mets’ second-half collapse in 2025. Recent details surrounding Hefner’s departure from New York have only reinforced how fortunate the Braves were to secure his services.
Spencer Strider's 2Ks in the 1st pic.twitter.com/mxszqJ6rUz
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) May 10, 2026
Braves weren't the only team to call Jeremy Hefner after his Mets' tenure
The Mets’ second-half collapse was one of the most stunning developments of the 2025 season. Frustrated fans in Queens were eager to assign blame, and the organization ultimately followed suit. Despite a rotation that had been decimated by injuries, the Mets’ front office determined that Hefner’s handling of the pitching staff played too significant a role to justify bringing him back.
When the Mets dismissed Hefner on Oct. 3, the rest of the league quickly made it clear just how highly regarded he remained. In a recent article by Tim Britton for The Athletic, Hefner reflected on the events of that day and revealed that the Braves were far from the only organization to contact him immediately after his departure from New York.
On the same day Hefner was let go by the Mets, their NL East rival jumped at the chance to secure Hefner's services. Thankfully, the Braves were the team able to bring Hefner in, and Braves pitchers have been enjoying the benefits ever since.
Former major leaguers Adam Ottavino and Trevor May also explained what makes Jeremy Hefner so effective. “He does a good job of making sure the player is driving a lot of the changes that need to be made,” Ottavino said. That philosophy has already appeared to pay dividends in Atlanta, particularly with Bryce Elder’s successful implementation of a cutter.
If Atlanta’s early-season pitching success is any indication, Hefner may prove to be one of the organization’s most impactful offseason additions. While the Mets viewed him as expendable following their late-season collapse, the rest of baseball clearly saw a pitching coach with a strong reputation and a modern, player-focused approach. So far, the Braves are reaping the benefits, and if the staff continues trending upward, Hefner’s arrival could become one of the more underrated storylines of Atlanta’s season.
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