1 year agoAtlanta Braves right-hander Spencer Strider finished second on the ballot for NL Rookie of the Year in 2022, as teammate Michael Harris II won the award. His 11-5 record and 2.67 ERA across 131⅔ IP were outstanding, and his ERA estimators were even better. The 24-year-old's xFIP was 2.30, while his xERA was 2.39. Strider gains additional fantasy value with his excellent 38.3 K%, providing comparable per-inning value to the best closers in the game at a higher volume of innings. That 38.3 K% mark is in line with his MiLB history and supported by two great offerings. First, his fastball averages 98.1 mph with a 59.8 Zone% and 12 SwStr%. Then, Strider's slider ends the PA with a 23.6 SwStr% and 38.3% chase rate. Strider's supporting cast was good enough to win 101 games last year and projects as a contender again in 2023, helping Strider add wins to his elite strikeouts and run-prevention skills. There is some risk in relying on a two-pitch pitcher as a fantasy ace, but the 24-year-old Strider is more than worth his current ADP of 35.07.--Rick Lucks - RotoBaller