Braves' Walt Weiss Reveals Key for Spencer Strider's Bounce-Back Season

Atlanta manager says Strider's explosive fastball is the 'game-changer' for the young pitcher's return to form.

Published on Feb. 19, 2026

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Atlanta Braves manager Walt Weiss discussed what pitcher Spencer Strider needs to do to bounce back in 2026 after struggling with injuries and inconsistency in recent seasons. Weiss emphasized that Strider's dominant fastball, which he used to great effect in 2023 before missing most of 2024, will be the key to his success going forward.

Why it matters

Strider was a breakout star for the Braves in 2023, finishing fourth in NL Cy Young voting, but his injury-plagued 2024 season and subsequent struggles in 2025 were a major setback for the team. If Strider can regain his 2023 form, it would be a huge boost to the Braves' rotation and their chances of contending in the NL East.

The details

Weiss said that Strider's fastball, which averaged 97.2 mph and was in the 99th percentile in strikeout percentage in 2023, was the 'game-changer' that made him so effective. However, the pitch lost some of its explosive 'hop' in 2025 as Strider's velocity dipped to 95.5 mph. Weiss believes that if Strider can rediscover that elite fastball in 2026, it will set up the rest of his arsenal and allow him to return to his 2023 form.

  • Strider missed almost all of the 2024 season due to injury.
  • In 2025, Strider struggled, posting a 4.45 ERA across 23 starts.

The players

Walt Weiss

The manager of the Atlanta Braves.

Spencer Strider

A starting pitcher for the Atlanta Braves who had a breakout 2023 season before dealing with injuries and inconsistency in the following years.

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What they’re saying

“The fastball was the game-changer, right? It's a different fastball and it wasn't quite the same when he came back last year.”

— Walt Weiss, Manager (clutchpoints.com)

“That's what makes his fastball different, it just explodes about halfway to the plate. The ball is usually above the bat when his fastball is right. It looks like it's got that hop to it in the bullpen.”

— Walt Weiss, Manager (clutchpoints.com)

What’s next

Weiss and the Braves will closely monitor Strider's fastball and overall stuff throughout spring training as they look for signs that he has regained his dominant 2023 form.

The takeaway

Strider's electric fastball was the key to his breakout 2023 season, and if he can rediscover that pitch in 2026, it could be a game-changer for the Braves' rotation and their playoff hopes.