Spencer is very intelligent and articulate and I wouldn't pretend to know more about his problem than he does. But,....It seems to me that at least one big problem is the inability to command his slightly slower fastball with it all-too-often ending up center/center and getting crushed. Look at Woodruff with Brewers - he was much more a flamethrower before his injury, but now, even with decreased velocity, he still uses his fastball almost as often and is successful because he can hit his spots with it.
The most frustrating thing is that last night's homers weren't on bad locations! The Brooks Baldwin homer was 97 up and away, while the slider was down at the bottom of the zone.
I think the real issue last night, and I've noticed this some with Baldwin, is that both of those pitches were the second consecutive pitch of the same type in the same spot. Trying to go to the well one too many times.
Point well taken. However, I think if you review the last three of Strider's games and the pitches that were hit hard, many of them were center/center fastballs.
I never last more than a few months with Braves podcasts before I realize they generally dont know what they are talking about. Keep up the great work, look forward to every pod, every newsletter
Well researched article.
Spencer is very intelligent and articulate and I wouldn't pretend to know more about his problem than he does. But,....It seems to me that at least one big problem is the inability to command his slightly slower fastball with it all-too-often ending up center/center and getting crushed. Look at Woodruff with Brewers - he was much more a flamethrower before his injury, but now, even with decreased velocity, he still uses his fastball almost as often and is successful because he can hit his spots with it.
The most frustrating thing is that last night's homers weren't on bad locations! The Brooks Baldwin homer was 97 up and away, while the slider was down at the bottom of the zone.
I think the real issue last night, and I've noticed this some with Baldwin, is that both of those pitches were the second consecutive pitch of the same type in the same spot. Trying to go to the well one too many times.
Point well taken. However, I think if you review the last three of Strider's games and the pitches that were hit hard, many of them were center/center fastballs.
Oh yeah, you're definitely not wrong. He hasn't had the ability to locate it where he wants in the zone in the last few starts
I never last more than a few months with Braves podcasts before I realize they generally dont know what they are talking about. Keep up the great work, look forward to every pod, every newsletter
Thanks, Patrick!
About to pop the pod on but it’s uncanny how much we think alike 🤣🤣