The legend of Spencer Strider grows by the day. Seemingly every time he takes the mound, he breaks a new franchise record, but this latest feat is by far the most remarkable. Following last Sunday’s start, not only did Strider break Randy Johnson‘s record as the fastest pitcher in MLB history to 200 strikeouts, but he also became the only pitcher in major league history to punch out 200 batters and surrender less than 100 hits.
No pitcher in AL/NL history has finished a season with 200+ Ks and fewer than 100 hits allowed.
After his 10-K, 1-hit outing today, Spencer Strider has 202 Ks …
… and 86 hits allowed.
He’s also a rookie!
— Jason Catania (@JayCat11) September 19, 2022
Given Strider’s most recent start has been pushed back because of a sore oblique, he’s likely to only start two more games at the most. I would say it’s a safe bet that he will avoid giving up 14 hits over his next two outings, which will make him the first pitcher in MLB history to finish a season with 200 strikeouts and fewer than 100 hits allowed.
The odds don’t favor Strider for the NL Cy Young, but he really should receive more consideration. Had he begun the season in the rotation, he likely would have run away with the award. No starting pitcher has been more dominant on the mound this season, and it’s not even particularly close.
Best pitching fWAR per 200 IP in 2022 (or best per IP on full-season scale, 75+ IP):
7.4 SPENCER STRIDER
6.8 Carlos Rodon
6.8 Shohei Ohtani
6.7 Max Scherzer
6.5 Kevin Gausman
6.5 Justin Verlander
6.2 Clayton Kershaw
6.0 Aaron Nola
5.4 Zack Wheeler
5.3 Blake Snell
5.2 MAX FRIED— Paul (@BravesStats) September 22, 2022
It’s unfortunate Spencer Strider won’t get more love for the Cy Young this year, but I don’t think it’s something he will lose sleep over. He has much bigger goals, and he has plenty of time left in his career to take home several Cy Young awards.
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Photo: Joe Robbins/Icon Sportswire
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