“My dad hated when I walked guys” - Braves ace Spencer Schwellenbach recalls a Devers homer; reveals family pressure behind his strike-first approach

It was a year to remember for young pitcher Spencer Schwellenbach. The Atlanta Braves starter emerged as a potential superstar in 2024, stepping up for his club in the wake of several significant injuries. The 24-year-old impressed with an 8-7 record, a 3.35 ERA and 127 strikeouts over 123 2/3 innings of work.

While the strikeouts and clutch performances were notable, one of the standout aspects of his game was his command. The Braves starter attacked the zone with precision, issuing only 23 walks throughout the season. One of those was an intentional walk to Boston Red Sox star Rafael Devers.

In a recent interview on MLB Network Radio, Spencer Schwellenbach reflected on the intentional walk, a decision stemming from an early-career encounter with Devers. The slugger had taken a low slider and launched it over Fenway Park’s Green Monster, prompting the Braves' coaching staff to avoid pitching to him.

"I threw a slider a foot below the zone, and he took one over the monster in left field, so I think they were like, 'yeah, we probably don't want to throw to him,' so they put him on," Schwellenbach said of the only intentional walk he issued in 2024.

Although most pitchers strive to rack up strikeouts and avoid walks, Spencer Schwellenbach has turned this philosophy into a defining feature of his game. The Atlanta Braves starter credited his father with instilling in him the value of throwing strikes and avoiding free passes.

"Throwing strikes is always something that I relied on as a kid." he said. "I knew I could throw it right over the plate. My dad hated when I walked guys. That has always been in the back of my head. I feel like I can hear his voice every time I walk someone, like 'Come on, Spencer.'"

Spencer Schwellenbach's family made an epic road trip to see his MLB debut in person

Family has played a central role in Spencer Schwellenbach's baseball journey. Not only did his father help shape his approach on the mound, but his entire family has supported him throughout his career. After pitching only 110 innings in the minors, Schwellenbach quickly earned a call-up to the majors.

In an interview with The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Robin Schwellenbach, the pitcher’s mother, said the family was stunned when Spencer received the call-up, and they had an unexpected trip.

"When he called, we were on our way home from a wedding, our other son (Mason) got married in Missouri – we’d just hit the Michigan border and ... he was like, ‘Hey, how do you feel about meeting me in Atlanta on Wednesday?’" Robin recounted.

"And we were like, ‘What?’ And he said, ‘Yeah, I’m starting for the Braves on Wednesday.’ We were so ecstatic. It was a dream come true for all of us.”

Unfortunately for the Schwellenbachs, Spencer's Major League debut on May 29, 2024, against the Washington Nationals resulted in a 7-2 loss.