When the Atlanta Braves took the field in late May, fans might have been wondering how the team’s rotation would hold up against the likes of the Padres and Red Sox. Injuries and inconsistencies have hit the staff this season, but one pitcher has emerged with the kind of performances that make you sit up and take notice: Spencer Schwellenbach.
Over his last two starts, Spencer Schwellenbach has done more than just eat innings—he’s put on a show. With a mix of velocity, pinpoint control, and a mound presence that oozes confidence, he’s quickly becoming the talk of Braves Country. Let’s dive into how these last two starts have solidified his role as one of Atlanta’s most promising arms.
May 25 vs. Padres: A Tough Loss, but a Winning Performance
The Padres rolled into town on May 25 ready to test Atlanta’s mettle, but Schwellenbach showed from the first pitch that he was ready for the challenge. He took the mound at Truist Park with a sense of purpose, mixing his mid-to-upper 90s fastball with a biting slider that had Padres hitters flailing.
In seven strong innings, Spencer Schwellenbach racked up 11 strikeouts—matching his career high—and didn’t allow a single walk. His ability to pound the zone and miss bats is the kind of combination that makes pitching coaches drool.
Sure, the Braves ultimately lost 5-3 after a late Jake Cronenworth home run flipped the script in favor of San Diego, but that didn’t overshadow what Schwellenbach accomplished. “He’s putting himself in that conversation as one of our most reliable arms,” Braves manager Brian Snitker said afterward.
That night felt like a personal win for Schwellenbach—a performance that showed he can handle tough lineups and big moments.
May 31 vs. Red Sox: A Birthday to Remember
If you thought his Padres start was special, what Schwellenbach did six days later against the Red Sox was nothing short of masterful—and on his 25th birthday, no less. On Saturday evening at Truist Park, he delivered the kind of performance that makes you believe he’s on the verge of becoming an ace.
In front of an always supportive Braves home crowd, Spencer Schwellenbach pitched 6.1 scoreless innings, striking out 11 and scattering just five hits. Once again, he didn’t issue a single walk—an incredible feat considering the Red Sox lineup he was facing.
It wasn’t just the numbers, though. His fastball consistently hit the high 90s, even touching 100.2 mph at one point which was a new career high. The Red Sox hitters looked overmatched as he painted corners and dropped sliders in for strikes at will.
The Braves offense backed him up with home runs from Austin Riley and Ronald Acuña Jr., helping secure a 5-0 victory and giving Schwellenbach his fourth win of the season. But the real story was the pitcher himself: composed, confident, and electric on the mound.
Manager Brian Snitker summed it up perfectly: “The stuff for him was ticked up. I look up there, and he’s throwing in the 100s and not really overexerting either. That’s what’s really cool to see—he’s not muscling up, he’s just pitching.”
A Season Taking Shape
After these two performances, Schwellenbach’s season numbers are starting to reflect the ace potential that Braves fans have been hoping to see. Through June 2, he’s compiled a 4-4 record, a 3.13 ERA, and a 1.03 WHIP over 74.2 innings. Even more impressive, he’s racked up 71 strikeouts against just 12 walks.
Those numbers paint the picture of a pitcher who’s not only learning on the fly but also mastering the art of commanding the strike zone. The consistency of his stuff—plus the confidence that comes with it—has turned him into a stabilizing force in the Braves’ rotation, a rotation that has needed all the help it can get.
More Than Just Numbers
But it’s not just the stats that have Braves fans excited—it’s the way Schwellenbach carries himself on the mound. He pitches like a veteran, unbothered by big moments or hostile lineups. Every time he steps on the mound, you can feel the energy shift in the stadium. The crowd senses it, his teammates sense it, and opposing hitters definitely sense it.
There’s a quiet intensity to the way he works, an economy of motion that suggests he’s focused on the task at hand rather than the noise around him. When a pitcher can strike out 11 without giving up a walk—twice in a row—he’s doing something special.
What’s Next for Spencer Schwellenbach?
Of course, the season is long, and no one expects Schwellenbach to dominate every single start. Hitters will adjust, and he’ll face his share of challenges. But these last two outings have shown he has the arsenal, the command, and the poise to navigate the inevitable rough patches.
The Braves have found themselves a pitcher who looks ready to take on the league’s best and come out on top more often than not. With his electric fastball, devastating slider, and laser-sharp control, Schwellenbach is making a name for himself—and he’s just getting started.
As the summer rolls on and we get deeper and deeper into the 2025 MLB season, one thing is certain: Spencer Schwellenbach is a name Braves fans should get used to hearing. If his recent performances are any indication, Atlanta’s pitching future just got a lot more exciting.
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