Strider flashes dominance, but tough luck mars starting debut

PHOENIX -- Spencer Strider has the capability to aid the Braves in either the bullpen or rotation. But his versatility doesn’t extend far enough to also address some of the reigning World Series champions’ defensive shortcomings.

Marcell Ozuna and Matt Olson both botched what appeared to be routine plays in a 6-2 loss to the D-backs on Monday night at Chase Field. The two plays extended innings and led to each of the five runs charged to Strider during what was a pretty impressive first career start.

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“He was awesome,” Braves manager Brian Snitker said. “He’s handled everything we’ve thrown at him and more. I’ve been so impressed with him.”

To appreciate where Strider stands, it’s best to remember he was selected in the fourth round of the 2020 MLB Draft and he went from Single-A to the Majors last year. He carried two big league appearances into this year and has become one of the most influential members of Atlanta’s pitching staff. He’s filled a variety of relief roles and now has impressed as a starter.

Strider showed durability and an ability to maintain his stuff as he recorded seven strikeouts, surrendered four hits and allowed five runs over 4 1/3 innings. The 23-year-old flamethrower’s line was marred by his defense. His 72-pitch outing was highlighted by a four-seam fastball that averaged 98.2 mph and touched 99.9 mph. He also impressed with a changeup he had sparingly used while developing this year.

“It was a good building block, but I’m excited to get back out there with the next opportunity,” said Strider, who will likely make his next start on Saturday at Coors Field.

Strider struck out the first two batters faced and then surrendered Ketel Marte’s swinging-bunt single. David Peralta followed with a double that eluded a diving Ozuna in shallow left field. Per Statcast, the fly ball had an 85 percent catch probability. This extended the inning for Pavin Smith, who drilled a 417-foot home run for a 3-1 D-backs lead.

Ozuna’s defensive limitations are well known, and he wouldn’t have been playing the field if the Braves still weren’t taking a cautious approach with Ronald Acuña Jr., who served as the designated hitter. Acuña will likely play right field on Tuesday, meaning Ozuna can be used as the DH.

There weren’t supposed to be defensive concerns about Olson, a two-time Gold Glove Award winner who has committed four errors already. Because you can’t assume a double play, he wasn’t charged with an error on Monday when he didn’t catch Dansby Swanson’s’ chest-high double-play relay attempt in the fifth. With the inning extended, the D-backs scored three more runs.

Olson expressed the frustration he felt after this play and a few others that have haunted him this year.

“There’s been some ground balls I haven’t had the best footwork on and things like that,” Olson said. “But as far as missing balls that are right at my chest, it’s frustrating, but I know it’s not the defender that I am.”

Exactly who Strider is will become better known as he is tested within this new role. He stirs radar guns with triple-digit readings and he had a 38.9 percent strikeout rate as a reliever. His early success created reason to believe he could be the two-inning monster Josh Hader occasionally was for the Brewers in 2018 and ‘19.

That seemed like an even better idea when it became known Tyler Matzek might remain sidelined through a significant part of June because of left shoulder inflammation. But then Tucker Davidson struggled in another start on Saturday and the Braves realized there might be more of a need for Strider to round out their rotation.

“[Being a reliever] can be a bit of an emotional roller-coaster,” Strider said. “I’m a methodical person. I like to have a routine. I like preparing. So starting is really fun for me because I get to look ahead and be purposeful in everything I do. So, yeah, if that is the role that is best for the team, I’m excited to do it.”