CAK pitcher Spencer Strider named Tennessee Gatorade Player of the Year

Troy Provost-Heron

Knoxville

Christian Academy of Knoxville senior pitcher Spencer Strider was named the 2016-17 Gatorade Tennessee Baseball Player of the Year.

Strider is the first Gatorade Baseball Player of the Year to be chosen from CAK.

The Clemson signee posted a 13-0 record this season with 150 strikeouts.

In the Class AA state tournament, the 6-foot, 185-pound right-hander allowed three runs on eight hits over 11 innings while striking out 16. That included seven strong innings in the title game in which he rebounded from surrendering two early runs to help the Warriors win their first state championship since 2014.

CAK's Spencer Strider (left) was selected by the Cleveland Indians in the 35th round of the 2017 MLB draft.

Ranked as the state’s No. 3 recruit in the Class of 2017 by Perfect Game, Strider held opposing hitters to a .118 batting average and averaged 13.9 strikeouts per seven innings.

He was also named TBCA Class AA Mr. Baseball on May 22 and is a finalist for Baseball Player of the Year at the inaugural News Sentinel Sports Awards presented by Farm Bureau Health Plans on June 7 at the Tennessee Theater.

CAK's Spencer Strider was named the Class AA Mr. Baseball recipient over CPA's Philip Clarke (left) and Spring Hill's Brycen Thomas (right).

The Gatorade State Player of the Year award was established in 1985 to recognize the nation’s most outstanding high school student-athletes for their athletic excellence, academic achievement and exemplary character.

Strider joins a prestigious list of Gatorade Tennessee Baseball Players of the Year that includes Tennessee pitcher Zach Linginfelter (2015-16, Sevier County), Yankees’ No. 6 prospect — according to MLB.com — Justus Sheffield (2013-14, Tullahoma), South Carolina’s Wil Crowe (2012-13, Pigeon Forge), Tigers pitcher Daniel Norris (2010–11, Science Hill), Athletics pitcher Sonny Gray (2007-08, Smyrna) and Red Sox pitcher David Price (2003-2004, Blackman).

As a Gatorade Player of the Year, Spencer will be able to select a national or local youth sports organization to receive a grant as part of the Gatorade Play It Forward program. Every Gatorade Player of the Year state winner receives a $1,000 grant to donate and will have the opportunity to enter for an additional $10,000 spotlight grant by writing a brief essay explaining why their selected organization deserves additional support.