History of Spencer Strider in Timeline

Spencer Strider is a professional baseball pitcher currently playing for the Atlanta Braves in MLB. After playing college baseball for Clemson, he was drafted by the Braves in 2020 and made his major league debut in 2021. In 2023, Strider was named an MLB All-Star and led the league in both wins and strikeouts, solidifying his position as a dominant force in the sport.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

1989: Reference to Major League Film

Spencer Strider chose the number 99 to commemorate Rick Vaughn, a character in the 1989 film "Major League".

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1995: Braves' First Title Since 1995

The Braves won the 2021 World Series, giving the Braves their first title since 1995.

October 28, 1998: Spencer Strider Born

On October 28, 1998, Spencer Robert Strider was born. He is now an American professional baseball pitcher for the Atlanta Braves of Major League Baseball (MLB).

Others born on this day/year

2011: Rookie of the Year Voting

At the end of the 2022 season, Spencer Strider finished second in the National League Rookie of the Year Award balloting to teammate Michael Harris II. This is the first time that two Braves players have finished first and second in Rookie of the Year voting since Craig Kimbrel and Freddie Freeman in 2011.

2017: Drafted by Cleveland Indians (Did Not Sign)

In 2017, Spencer Strider was drafted by the Cleveland Indians in the 35th round of the Major League Baseball draft, but he chose to attend college instead of signing with the team.

2018: College Baseball Season Pitches

During the 2018 college baseball season, Spencer Strider's repertoire included a two-seam fastball, a slurve-like pitch, and a changeup he did not use often.

2018: Played in Cape Cod Baseball League

In 2018, Spencer Strider played collegiate summer baseball with the Falmouth Commodores of the Cape Cod Baseball League.

2019: Tommy John Surgery

In 2019, Spencer Strider missed the season due to a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his elbow, requiring Tommy John surgery.

2020: Drafted by Braves

In 2020, Spencer Strider was drafted by the Atlanta Braves in the fourth round of the MLB draft.

2020: Drafted and Signed with Atlanta Braves

In 2020, Spencer Strider was drafted by the Atlanta Braves with the 126th pick in the fourth round of the Major League Baseball Draft and subsequently signed with the team.

October 1, 2021: Selected to Atlanta Active Roster and MLB Debut

On October 1, 2021, Spencer Strider was selected to the Atlanta active roster and made his major league debut, pitching one inning of relief against the New York Mets.

2021: MLB Debut

In 2021, Spencer Strider made his Major League Baseball (MLB) debut with the Atlanta Braves.

October 10, 2022: Contract Extension with Braves

On October 10, 2022, the Braves and Spencer Strider agreed to a 6-year, $75M contract extension through the 2029 season.

September 30, 2023: Wins Twentieth Game and Breaks Braves Strikeout Record

On September 30, 2023, Spencer Strider won his twentieth game of the season and broke John Smoltz's Atlanta Braves record for strikeouts in a season, finishing the year with 281.

2023: 2023 Season Pitch Usage

As of the 2023 season, Spencer Strider makes use of two main pitches: a four-seam fastball sitting 97–98 mph, which he throws 60 percent of the time; and a slider sitting 85–86 mph, which he throws 35 percent of the time. Additionally, Strider throws a changeup sitting 87–88 mph around 5 percent of the time, usually against left-handed hitters.

2023: Marriage to Maggie

Before the 2023 season, Spencer Strider married his wife Maggie, whom he had first met in high school.

2023: MLB All-Star

In 2023, Spencer Strider became an MLB All-Star. He also led MLB in both wins and strikeouts for the season.

2023: First All-Star Selection

In 2023, Spencer Strider was selected as a reserve starting pitcher for the National League in the Major League Baseball All-Star Game, marking his first career All-Star selection.

April 13, 2024: Surgery to Repair UCL

On April 13, 2024, the Braves announced that Spencer Strider would miss the remainder of the 2024 season after undergoing surgery to repair his UCL.

September 12, 2024: Threw First Pitch at Faye Webster Concert

On September 12, 2024, Spencer Strider threw a "first pitch" at a Faye Webster concert.

2024: Added Curveball to Arsenal

Before the 2024 regular season, Spencer Strider began throwing a curveball.

April 16, 2025: 2025 Debut & 500th Career Strikeout

On April 16, 2025, Spencer Strider made his 2025 debut against the Toronto Blue Jays. In that game, he recorded his 500th career strikeout in the fifth inning, striking out Addison Barger, making him the quickest primary starter to reach that mark, accomplishing it in 334 innings.