The Atlanta Braves are preparing for their first spring training game of 2026 on Saturday, as they will play the Tampa Bay Rays. Atlanta will be an intriguing ball club to follow throughout the spring. The Braves have questions to answer, specifically in their starting rotation. The No. 5 starting pitching role will be heavily discussed, but there is one specific starter who is already in the rotation that fans will want to closely watch. Spencer Strider is looking to have a big spring following his difficult 2025 season.

Strider, 27, was an All-Star in 2023 but missed most of 2024 due to injury. He returned in 2025 but his performance was lackluster, as he recorded a 4.45 ERA across 23 starts.

Pitchers don't always maximize their velocity in spring training as they build up for the year. However, velocity was a concern for Strider in 2025, so it will still be something to keep an eye on. In 2025, the right-handed hurler ranked in the 69th percentile for fastball velocity with a mark of 95.5.

For some pitchers, averaging 95.5 MPH on their fastball would be impressive. For Strider, though, the mark falls well below his expectations. In 2023, his fastball sat at 97.2 MPH on a consistent basis, which ranked in the 92nd percentile. It was even faster in 2022, as he ranked in the 97th percentile at 98.2 MPH.

Is the fastball everything? No, but it is Strider's best pitch. Of course, fans will still want to monitor how well he is mixing all of his pitches together. Strider's fastball velocity will be a topic of discussion, though.

With Spencer Schwellenbach out due to injury, Strider will be the Braves' No. 2 starter in the rotation behind Chris Sale. Sale is the ace and Atlanta expects him to lead the way, but Strider's performance expectations come with much more uncertainty. 

Meanwhile, Reynaldo Lopez and Grant Holmes are the No. 3 and No. 4 starters in the rotation while, as mentioned, the No. 5 spot is up for grabs. 

Strider's final results this year may play a role in determining how well the team performs. If he can return to his 2023 All-Star form, Atlanta should find itself in position to at least make a Wild Card run. The Braves could still potentially make a postseason run if he struggles, but it would be unlikely in all reality.

Spencer Strider will look to begin 2026 on a promising note with a good spring training.