Strider’s intellect hearkens back to Braves legend
March 2, 2024
Strider’s intellect hearkens back to Braves legend
2 comments
I dunno, it really sounds like the only real comparisons between Maddux and Strider is that they’re both smart. They have totally different approaches. Maddux relied on ground balls, location, and movement. Maddux had a large arsenal of pitches with various speeds that all broke late. Maddux was often looking to induce weak contact.
Strider, on the other hand, depends on velocity and deception. He can tunnel his high strike zone 96-100mph fast ball with his wicked slider (and now curveball) so they look identical until the last second. Strider is 100% a strikeout pitcher who often looks to induce no contact.
Honestly, the Maddux contemporary I’d compare Strider to is Randy Johnson. Both are fastball pitchers with wicked sliders who threw a ton of Ks. There are obvious differences between the two, of course, but I’d certainly think Johnson is more like Strider than Maddux.
The article is less about pitch similarity and more about the way that both Maddux and Strider are incredibly thoughtful, intellectually curious, introspective, and very grounded. I had a similar thought after reading an interview Strider did early last season. My husband reminded me that Maddux was nicknamed The Professor for a reason. But yeah, definitely not alike in terms of actual pitching, but I do see some shared personality traits for sure. Thanks for sharing – fun to read about Strider and what he’s been working on!
2 comments
I dunno, it really sounds like the only real comparisons between Maddux and Strider is that they’re both smart. They have totally different approaches. Maddux relied on ground balls, location, and movement. Maddux had a large arsenal of pitches with various speeds that all broke late. Maddux was often looking to induce weak contact.
Strider, on the other hand, depends on velocity and deception. He can tunnel his high strike zone 96-100mph fast ball with his wicked slider (and now curveball) so they look identical until the last second. Strider is 100% a strikeout pitcher who often looks to induce no contact.
Honestly, the Maddux contemporary I’d compare Strider to is Randy Johnson. Both are fastball pitchers with wicked sliders who threw a ton of Ks. There are obvious differences between the two, of course, but I’d certainly think Johnson is more like Strider than Maddux.
The article is less about pitch similarity and more about the way that both Maddux and Strider are incredibly thoughtful, intellectually curious, introspective, and very grounded. I had a similar thought after reading an interview Strider did early last season. My husband reminded me that Maddux was nicknamed The Professor for a reason. But yeah, definitely not alike in terms of actual pitching, but I do see some shared personality traits for sure. Thanks for sharing – fun to read about Strider and what he’s been working on!