When Spencer Strider made his debut, it didn't take long for the Atlanta Braves to buy into the idea that they had their ace of the future. It is hard to fault the organization for this belief, with Strider lighting up the strike zone and fanning batters with velocity that allowed even his misses to impress. In the 2022 season, it appeared that all of this potential was being realized as Strider won double-digit games and struck out 202 hitters with a 2.67 ERA. This version of the starter showed up for the bulk of the 2023 season, even with hitters starting to catch up to the fastball and finding ways to score more often.
In the three seasons since, Strider has spent the bulk of the time on the shelf, and when on the mound has been a shell of the pitcher he once was. Braves fans are already accepting the reality that Strider's potential is unlikely to ever be realized, based on injuries derailing what was a promising career.
Strider is currently on the shelf and not expected to make a potential return until August. At this point in the season, the Braves are likely to have solidified the rotation and will have a difficult decision to make as to how to manage Strider's innings and whether or not the right-hander could eventually be trusted with a postseason roster spot.
Braves Fans Have Lost Trust in Spencer Strider's Pontential After Three Years of Failure
This isn't meant to be a shot at Strider, but dealing with the frustrating reality of a player who has gone from a potential ace to a question mark to hang in the rotation. It isn't just based on Strider's injury history, but on poor production even when the starter is on the mound. Three seasons have been more than enough to convince fans that whatever potential Strider appeared to have at the start of his career is long in the rearview.
The only question remaining isn't whether Strider is going to turn back the clock, but whether he can find a way to reinvent himself. No longer being the high strikeout pitcher, but one capable of using location and pitch selection to offer the franchise a consistent source of innings in the middle of the rotation.
Atlanta can only hope that this version of Strider is realized with Chris Sale sitting firmly atop the rotation, with no viable reason to believe Strider can return to what he once was.
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