The Braves completed the sweep of the Phillies on Sunday thanks to another gem of a performance from Spencer Strider, who received some pretty lofty comparisons from fellow rookie Michael Harris II after the game.
“I think he’s right under [Jacob] deGrom honestly,” Harris said. “I think he has the same kind of effect toward hitters that deGrom has.”
Spencer Strider helped the Braves claim a 5-2 win over the Phillies Sunday as the rookie notched his sixth double-digit strikeout performance and became the club’s first rookie since 1900 to record a 200-strikeout season. Moreover, he reached that figure in only 130 innings, breaking Randy Johnson’s record of 200 strikeouts in 130.2 innings in 2001.
.@SpencerSTRIDer just became the third rookie in #Braves franchise history to reach 200 strikeouts in a season!#ForTheA pic.twitter.com/lra0gnbmVo
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) September 18, 2022
Spencer Strider has surpassed Randy Johnson (2001) becoming the fastest pitcher to reach 200+ strikeouts in a season (130.0 IP), in MLB history. pic.twitter.com/lsQCQVcdE2
— Kevin Keneely (@KevinKeneely1) September 18, 2022
The NL Rookie of the Year favorite has completely surpassed expectations this season and is a large reason the Braves have a chance to repeat as World Series Champions. His final stat line of 10 strikeouts and one hit over six innings was yet another impressive outing for the hard-throwing righty. On the season, Spencer Strider boasts an otherworldly 13.8 SO/9 to go along with a 2.67 ERA, and his 1.82 FIP suggests that number should be even lower.
He has all but locked up the Rookie of the Year award, but his sights are certainly set on something more important — winning games.
“I have high expectations for myself, but like I said, I don’t think you can pinpoint specific checkpoints to try and achieve,” Strider said. “Striking out 200 guys in a season wasn’t a goal of mine. It was just to keep us in games and to win games.”
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John Adams/Icon Sportswire
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