Spencer Strider names 2 Braves teammates who mentored him during rookie year 

Over the past couple of years, Spencer Strider has established himself as one of the most dominant starting pitchers in the MLB since his outstanding breakthrough campaign in 2022.

The Atlanta Braves said several of his teammates helped him to develop his game during his rookie season, and he specifically named Dansby Swanson and Charlie Morton as the two that influenced him the most.

Strider got his first taste of the big leagues as a reliever in 2021 but preserved his rookie status for the following year after featuring in just two games. He made 31 appearances in 2022, with 20 of those as a starter, and posted an 11-5 record with a 2.67 ERA. He also recorded 202 strikeouts in just 131.2 innings and finished as the runner-up for the National Rookie of the Year.

Earlier this week, Spencer Strider appeared as a guest on the "Casa de Klub" podcast with former two-time Cy Young-winning pitcher Corey Kluber. He reflected on how much he learned from his now ex-teammates, Dansby Swanson and Charlie Morton.

"I really enjoyed playing with Dansby in 2022. I remember watching him when he was at Vanderbilt and following his whole career," Strider said. "He just felt like the leader of that team and the way he did everything, his leading by example. Just a guy that every time I interacted with him, I felt like I was nodding my head. I learned something from him.

"Charlie Morton is a good friend and an awesome dude. I'm hoping that he's out there and hears this and remembers that he needs to play next year," he added.

(from 16:16 mark onwards)

Swanson joined the Chicago Cubs on a seven-year, $188 million deal when he became a free agent at the end of the 2022 season. Morton concluded his 17th season in the MLB and the starting pitcher is currently on the free agent market after drawing his four-year stay in Atlanta to a close.

Massive letdown for Spencer Strider in 2024

Spencer Strider has become one of the premier strikeout artists in the MLB (Image Source: Getty)

Strider extended his dominance on the mound even further after his excellent rookie campaign. He earned his maiden All-Star appearance and led the MLB with 20 wins in 2023, even though he had a 3.86 ERA after giving up 22 home runs. Nevertheless, Strider posted 186.2 innings and led the major leagues with 281 strikeouts to finish in fourth place for the NL Cy Young voting.

He was considered the leading favorite to win the award in 2024 after cementing his reputation as one of the finest pitchers in the game. He was also the Opening Day starter for the Braves before he was taken off the mound on his next appearance for the team due to elbow discomfort in his right arm.

That subsequently brought a premature end to the season for Spencer Strider as the Braves pushed him to IL for the rest of the year after he underwent elbow surgery in the middle of April. Strider will not be available for at least the opening half of the new season, but he could join the Braves rotation later on in the regular season.