Atlanta Braves ace Spencer Strider has been anything but the top of the rotation arm he was prior to last year's season-ending injury. The starter has been a liability on the mound, unable to pitch deep into games and consistently getting squared up. Strider is now 0-4 on the season with a concerning 5.68 ERA. It is time to begin to wonder if the pitcher the starter has been in the past is going to return this season. Everything about Strider's game is off, continuing to add to mounting frustrations.
It doesn't help matters that the Atlanta roster is desperate for a boost as it continues to fall far out of the postseason race. Strider's return was supposed to signal a turnaround, not add to the demise of the 2025 Braves. While it is still early in his return, there are simply too many red flags to continue to ignore, starting with the drastic dip in Strider's velocity.
Braves Starter Spencer Strider Cannot Dominate Throwing at His Current Speeds
Not only is Strider failing to locate his pitches, but the starter doesn't have the same zip on his fastball. The velocity is noticeably down, and combined with Strider serving the ball up over the middle, there is reason for alarm. The pitcher's game has been based on his ability to simply overpower the best of hitters at the plate. When this ability is stripped away, the approach of challenging hitters results in predictably tough outings.
It doesn't help matters that Strider's other pitches aren't quite as sharp when not benefiting from the starter's former velocity. Add in the decline in locating his pitches, and Strider is difficult to watch right now. With that said, it isn't time for full-blown panic just yet when it comes to the future of the Atlanta starter. While there should be a healthy level of concern, it has been just over a year since the starter suffered a serious injury.
One that kept him from throwing and putting the typical offseason work into the 2025 season. Add in Strider getting injured after one start in his 2025 return, and the past year has been filled with unexpected difficulties. Best case, Strider is going to find a missing extra gear and improve his execution as the season goes on.
This is all Atlanta fans can hope for as they watch a starter who simply doesn't look anything close to the dominating force he once was. Leaving Atlanta fans plenty of reason to worry, and adding yet another frustration to an impossibly long list that has defined the 2025 season.