A former Clemson hurler turned Atlanta Braves superstar is nearing his return to the mound in a Major League Baseball regular season game.
Spencer Strider was sensational in his third minor-league rehab start on Thursday, when he struck out 13 batters in 5.1 innings while allowing just one run on three hits and two walks in the Triple-A Gwinnett Stripers’ win over the Norfolk Tides, the Triple-A affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles.
The flame-throwing righthander threw 62 of his 90 pitches for strikes, punched out the first six batters he faced, struck out 13 of 21 hitters overall, and maxed out around 97 miles per hour with his fastball.