Spencer Strider is no stranger to being dominant on the mound against the Colorado Rockies, yet his latest performance was a much needed reminder to Atlanta Braves country that when healthy Strider is still elite. Entering today, Strider had made just five starts on the 2025 season with mostly subpar results. After returning from his 2024 elbow injury, and battling a hamstring strain early on Strider showcased clear signs of rust over his first few starts.
Many fans were worried about Strider ever recapturing the velocity and wipeout slider that made him one of the most dominant pitchers from 2022-2023. This afternoon Strider's stuff was the best we've seen it look in 2025.
.@SpencerSTRIDer brought the 🔥@LA_Hot_Sauce | #BravesCountry pic.twitter.com/50o2SB5ybj
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) June 14, 2025
Spike in fastball velocity fuels impressive outing for Strider
One of the most frustrating things about the 2025 season thus far was witnessing Spencer Strider struggle to throw fastballs by big league hitters. Once his bread and butter, the dip in fastball velocity made Strider's return a much more infuriating story to monitor this season.
Thankfully, Strider's fastball today was the best it's looked since his return. Strider averaged a season high 96.7 mph with his fastball through five innings this afternoon. His previous season high was 95.5 mph, which he posted in his season debut against Toronto. Strider also touched 98 mph on multiple pitches early on, and had Rockies hitters looking very foolish on his slider this afternoon. Although the velocity did dip a bit in the sixth (though it was a very humid day in Atlanta), Strider generated 24 whiffs and seven via his fastball in just 87 pitches.
The final result was 13 strikeouts and just three hits surrendered in six scoreless innings. It was undoubtably the best we've seen Strider look in 2025. Even though the opponent was one of the worst teams in baseball history, the performance was something for Strider to build on. Thanks to Strider's dominant outing and Ronald Acuna Jr.'s continued power surge, the Braves will go for the sweep with Chris Sale on the mound tomorrow afternoon.