Strider Solid in Return, But Chris Bassitt Steals the Show

If you told me before the Braves-Blue Jays game that a pitcher would rack up 10 strikeouts, I’d have put all my money on Spencer Strider. But in true “you can’t predict baseball” fashion, it was Chris Bassitt — the veteran righty known more for finesse than fire — who baffled Braves hitters, fanning 10 en route to a Blue Jays team-record-tying 19 strikeouts.

While Bassitt deserves credit for his strong start to the season after being overlooked in many fantasy drafts, the spotlight naturally belonged to Strider, who made his long-awaited return after undergoing elbow surgery last year.

How Did Strider Look in His First Start Back?

Strider, one of the game’s most dominant arms when healthy, made his first major league start in over a year. He went five-plus innings, allowing five hits, one walk, and two earned runs (including a solo homer to Vladimir Guerrero Jr.). He struck out five, but more notably, his fastball averaged 95.4 mph — down from his career norm of 97.6 mph.

This wasn’t vintage Strider. He threw 97 pitches to get 15 outs and had trouble finishing off hitters — unusual for someone who struck out 281 batters in 2023 and dominated minor league hitters earlier this month. Still, he showed enough to believe he’s on the right track.

What Can We Expect From Strider Moving Forward?

1. Workload and Innings

The fact that the Braves let him throw 97 pitches and start the sixth inning is a great sign. If he becomes more efficient, we should see plenty of six-plus inning outings moving forward.

2. Strikeout Potential

Even if Strider doesn’t return to his career 13.5 K/9 form right away, a slightly reduced 11.5 K/9 with a full workload still puts him in line for 200+ strikeouts — a feat accomplished by only 11 pitchers last season.

3. Ratios Outlook

Strider’s 2023 ERA (3.86) didn’t reflect his dominance, and some fantasy managers may forget the inconsistency. His career numbers — a 3.47 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, and a 2.56 FIP — suggest he’s had some bad luck. Projecting a 3.40 ERA and 1.12 WHIP is realistic, and those marks would have ranked him around 20th among qualified starters last year.

So, Where Should Strider Be Ranked?

While Strider has the upside to be the top fantasy starter by 2026, it's premature to place him there now. Safer bets like Tarik Skubal, Paul Skenes, Zack Wheeler, Garrett Crochet, Cole Ragans, and Logan Gilbert currently edge him out.

That puts Strider just outside the top tier — in the SP12 to SP15 range. He belongs ahead of less-proven arms like Spencer Schwellenbach and steady-but-limited starters like Logan Webb or Max Fried, but behind elite upside arms who are off to slow starts like Chris Sale, Dylan Cease, Corbin Burnes, and Framber Valdez.

Final Take: Buy Low Now

Strider's trade value could spike soon — especially once he throws his first double-digit strikeout game. He’s already being swapped in 1-for-1 deals for the likes of Julio Rodríguez, Matt McLain, and Oneil Cruz. If you believe in the bounce back, now’s the time to make a move.

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