ATLANTA, GA – SEPTEMBER 18: Spencer Strider #65 of the Atlanta Braves pitches during the first inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Truist Park on September 18, 2022 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
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The Atlanta Braves have locked in starter Spencer Strider for the next seven years on yet another amazing team-friendly deal.
The Atlanta Braves cannot be stopped when it comes to signing their up-and-coming stars to team-friendly extensions. The list truly just keeps growing.
23-year-old starter Spencer Strider is the latest young star to be added to the list, as the Braves announced they will be signing him to a six-year, $75M contract extension of his own.
Braves: Spencer Strider latest star to earn long-term extension
Strider is coming off of a truly dominant rookie campaign that saw him go 11-5 in 31 games (20 starts), striking out 202 batters in just 131 innings, allowing just seven home runs along the way.
The notable stats that come with Strider’s strong rookie season seem to be never-ending. Not only is the young righty the fastest pitcher in either American League or National League history to strikeout 200 batters in a season, he is also the only pitcher ever to earn over 200 strikeouts and allow under 100 hits in a single season. The fact that he was able to accomplish these two feats in just 20 starts is truly astounding.
The young starter is neck and neck with teammate Michael Harris II in the NL Rookie of the Year race this season, an excellent problem to have for this Braves club that finds itself firmly in the conversation for a second consecutive World Series winning season.
Extending Strider now is a big brain move by the Braves, as the club buys out his two pre-arbitration years, all three arb years and what would have been his first season in free agency. The contract also comes with a $17M team option in 2029 which, if exercised, would bring the total deal’s value up to $92M.
Atlanta has a truly special talent in Strider and have themselves a starting pitcher that is not only in the Rookie of the Year conversation, but the NL Cy Young race as well, a unique combination in rookie pitchers.
