Should Braves be concerned about Spencer Strider’s recent skid?

The Braves ace Spencer Strider has struggled recently. Should the Braves be concerned about the young star’s sudden struggles?

Over the last month and a half, the Atlanta Braves ace Spencer Strider has raised his ERA from a minuscule 1.80 to a pedestrian 4.12. He’s done so by allowing multiple earned runs in eight of his last nine starts. For the most part, Strider hasn’t been hit often. Since May 1, he’s allowed fewer hits than innings pitched, which is a good standard for how hittable a pitcher is.

But what has killed Strider this season has been the home run.

Over the same month and a half, Strider has allowed 11 long balls, including six in June already. The Mets and Tigers specifically have clobbered the flamethrower over his last two starts.

Should the Braves be concerned about Spencer Strider?

But Strider feels as though he is headed in the right direction and that the results will begin to show.

“I feel in some ways I actually made progress today, but I need the results to show it. That’s what really matters. I don’t want to go out there and be a liability. I’m not really putting us in a position to win the game very often,” Strider said following his recent start against the Tigers.

Strider is one of the game’s best young pitchers. He has been so incredible that fans often forget how young he is. Strider is just 24 years old and has only made 34 starts in a Braves uniform. Not only is he still new to the Braves, but he was drafted just three years ago. Strider didn’t even spend a full year in the minor leagues, bouncing from Low-A all the way to Triple-A while only throwing 94 innings in professional baseball before his debut.

Not only did he barely have any time in the minors, but his last season of college baseball abruptly ended after four starts due to COVID-19.

Take a deep breath, Braves fans. Spencer Strider is going to be just fine. His talent is off the charts and his development will continue as he matures and gains new experiences. Adversity is necessary for young pitchers to find who they truly are.