Who will ultimately be named the National League Rookie of the Year?
It might be a matter of opinion at this point, given that we still have a month to go, and several players have made strong cases.
But last night, Atlanta Braves starter Spencer Strider strengthened his case to win the award.
As the Braves closed out their three-game set with the Colorado Rockies, they sent Strider to the mound.
All he did was strike out 16 batters over eight scoreless innings, which is a record for Braves starters.
What makes it even more impressive is that it’s only the 17th start of Strider’s young and promising career.
.@SpencerSTRIDer sets an Atlanta @Braves record for Ks in a game!
It's only his 17th career start. pic.twitter.com/Kw4IWJd04M
— MLB (@MLB) September 2, 2022
Strider’s Case For ROTY
Strider is going to get some strong consideration for the NL Rookie of the Year Award at the very least.
That is, if he doesn’t win the award.
But last night, he sure strengthened his case to win it with his complete and utter dominance.
Not many rookies can say that they struck out 16 batters in a game and set a franchise record in the process, but Strider can.
He has burst onto the scene and given the Braves yet another ace in their starting rotation to go along with Max Fried, Charlie Morton, and Kyle Wright, who has also emerged as a front-line starter.
Not only did Strider strengthen his case to win the Rookie of the Year Award, but he also made a strong case to potentially be the Game 1 starter for the Braves in the postseason.
Facing a rotation that features him and Fried at the top will be no easy task for whoever the Braves take on first in the postseason.
NEXT: Kyle Wright Has Overtaken An Elite MLB Lead