It's early in the 2026 season, but Spencer Strider is already serving notice that his breaking balls are in a league of their own. While the days of the 100-mph fastball might be behind him, the Atlanta Braves ace is reinventing himself in a way that has hitters completely off balance—and the numbers are staggering.
Through three starts, Strider has settled in at 96-97 mph with his four-seamer, a slight dip from the electric velocity that once defined him. But don't mistake that for a decline. Instead, what we're seeing is a pitcher evolving, and his breaking pitches are the headline act.
In Friday's walk-off win over the Red Sox, Strider delivered 5.1 innings of one-run ball, allowing just three hits and three walks while striking out four. But it wasn't the strikeouts that had everyone talking—it was the hits. Or rather, the lack of them on anything other than his fastball.
Enter Ceddane Rafaela. In the fifth inning, Rafaela led off with a ground-rule double. Nothing shocking there—he's off to a solid start in 2026. But the pitch he hit? A curveball. And that, as it turns out, was a big deal. It marked the first time all season that an opposing batter had gotten a hit off Strider's curveball.
Even more impressive? It was the first hit Strider has allowed all year on any pitch that wasn't a fastball. Over 14.2 innings, he's surrendered eight hits—seven of them came off his heater. His slider and changeup? Still untouched. Opponents are hitting a cool .000 against both pitches through three starts.
And it's not just luck. Heading into Friday's outing, the expected batting average (xBA) against his slider was a microscopic .002. His curveball checked in at .005. Those aren't just good numbers—they're near-unhittable.
For Braves fans and baseball purists alike, this version of Strider is a joy to watch. He's no longer just a power pitcher relying on velocity. He's a craftsman, using his breaking stuff to keep hitters guessing and off balance. And if this early-season form is any indication, Strider's new arsenal might be even more dangerous than the old one.