The year 2024 holds significant promise for the Atlanta Braves, especially regarding their standout pitcher, Spencer Strider. Speculation is intensifying within the baseball circles, suggesting that Strider might be poised to achieve the highly esteemed Triple Crown.
The notion appears improbable for a pitcher of just 25 years, but Strider has already secured the Braves franchise record for strikeouts in a season, a notable feat considering the team’s rich history of Hall of Fame pitchers. Today, let’s examine what realistic aspirations lie ahead for the Braves’ budding star.
Bold Predictions for Spencer Strider in 2024
He Breaks the Braves Strikeout Record Again
Our initial bold forecast for Spencer Strider entails him surpassing the 300-strikeout mark this year, a feat achieved by pitching legends such as Nolan Ryan, Walter Johnson, Randy Johnson, and Sandy Koufax. If he accomplishes this, he would become the youngest pitcher in this century to reach such a milestone.
Strider boasts an impressive career, evidenced by his 13.6 strikeouts per nine innings pitched (K/9), and he has introduced a highly effective new curveball this spring. Over the course of 18 innings in spring training, he has elevated his K/9 to 14.0.
Speaking about his new curveball, Strider commented, “[The curveball] is just something I wish I had been throwing. It just fits my strengths and the way I pitch, not only philosophically, but mechanically. I spent a lot of time working on it in the offseason, and it’s definitely more comfortable than I thought it would be this early.”
While Strider’s ZIPS projection for 2024 anticipates 234 strikeouts and a 13.2 K/9, which is commendable, it errs on the side of caution. Considering the enhancement brought by the curveball to achieve a 14.0 K/9 throughout the season, coupled with an anticipated increase in workload and pitch count allowance, he is expected to log more innings. Having pitched 186 innings last season, if he reaches 200 innings this year with a 14.0 SO9, he is projected to accumulate 326 strikeouts. In summary, Strider is poised to surpass the 300-strikeout milestone in 2024.
Strider Will Win 20 Games
Our second bold prediction for Strider is that he will emerge as the top winner in the league this season. Given the formidable offensive support from the Braves, each of Strider’s 32 appearances on the mound will be firmly within his control; it’s difficult to envision him losing more than 12 games, especially as he enhances his strikeout rate.
Despite the ZIPS projection appearing conservative, tipping the scale at a modest 15, it still places Strider as the anticipated league leader. Furthermore, the projection forecasts his ERA to slightly exceed his 2023 performance, settling at 3.16. With 50 games now logged, opposing teams have gathered sufficient data to counter Strider’s patterns and tactics, yet his astute pitching intellect should enable him to adapt.
If Strider manages to lower his ERA with the aid of his new curveball, while also surpassing the 300-strikeout mark and securing 20 victories, he stands a strong chance of clinching the NL Cy Young award. Despite the cautious estimates from Fangraphs ZIPS, Strider is on course to potentially achieve the Triple Crown.
Strider and the Braves Win World Series Game 1
Moving on to our final bold prediction regarding the Braves’ ace, Strider is poised to secure his inaugural World Series victory in 2024. This prediction carries significant weight, especially given the recent controversies surrounding the Dodgers. Consequently, the Braves are expected to emerge as the frontrunners in the NL this spring, with Strider playing a pivotal role in their potential success.
Mark my words: in 2024, Spencer Strider will surpass 300 strikeouts, claim the NL Cy Young Award, and achieve the pitching Triple Crown while leading the Braves to their 19th NL Pennant. This upcoming season will witness the transition of pitching dominance from veterans like Justin Verlander, Clayton Kershaw, and Max Scherzer to Spencer Strider, who is poised to become the premier pitcher for the next decade.
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