AJ Smith-Shawver Could Open Season In Starting Rotation
The Atlanta Braves move to use right-handed pitching prospect AJ Smith-Shawver on Friday in the Grapefruit League against the Tampa Bay Rays suggests that the team could be lining him up to make his first start of the 2025 season on Monday, March 31, against the Los Angeles Dodgers, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Justin Toscano suggests. The 22-year-old could be in the lead for the No. 5 rotation spot as he competes with Ian Anderson, but the Braves may prefer to open the year with a six-man rotation given the fact that they open the year with seven straight games before their first off day. The former seventh-rounder has fanned 18 with just three walks in 12 spring innings over his four starts after he made only one start in the regular season in the majors in 2024. A matchup against L.A. early on wouldn't be ideal, and Smith-Shawver may just be holding a rotation spot in April until Spencer Strider (elbow) is ready to return.
AJ Smith-Shawver Strikes Out Three In Spring Debut
Atlanta Braves starting pitcher prospect AJ Smith-Shawver made his spring debut on Wednesday, yielding zero runs on two hits while striking out three in two innings of work in a 9-4 Grapefruit League win over the Pirates. Smith-Shawver made 21 starts at Triple-A last season, posting an uninspiring 4.85 ERA and 1.24 WHIP, but also struck out 108 batters in 89 IP. The righty has been promoted to the majors twice so far in his career, making five starts in 2023 and one start in 2024, although the results have been mixed. The former seventh-round pick owns a 3.64 ERA (6.11 FIP, 5.20 SIERA), 1.11 WHIP, and an 8.9 percent K-BB% over 29 2/3 major league innings. He's battling for a spot in the rotation with Grant Holmes and Ian Anderson, but unless one of them falters, Smith-Shawver is likely to begin the season at Triple-A. If somehow he were to earn a rotation spot, the 22-year-old could make for an intriguing fantasy option as pitching for the Braves should provide a decent chance to rack up some Ws alongside decent strikeout totals.
AJ Smith-Shawver Expected To See Starting Opportunities
According to David O'Brien of The Athletic, Atlanta Braves pitching prospect AJ Smith-Shawver is expected to see starting opportunities early in the season. O'Brien noted that with Spencer Strider (elbow) set to open the season on the injured list, Smith-Shawver should be in the mix for starts early on. Smith-Shawver made his MLB debut during the 2023 season and held a 4.26 ERA with a 1.11 WHIP across 25 1/3 innings. Last summer, he logged just four 1/3 innings in Atlanta and did not allow a run. Across 87 frames with Triple-A Gwinnett last summer, the No. 2 prospect in the system posted a 4.86 ERA with a 1.25 WHIP. He struck out 104 batters and served up 40 free passes. Fantasy managers should monitor his progress during spring training as he could crack the starting rotation. He will compete for a spot alongside Ian Anderson, Grant Holmes, and Bryce Elder.
Atlanta Braves right-hander AJ Smith-Shawver has been named the starter for Game 1 of the wild-card series against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park on Tuesday night. The Braves didn't have ideal options to choose from to start against a strong Padres offense to kick off the three-game series, as Smith-Shawver got the nod over Ian Anderson and Bryce Elder. The 21-year-old made his big-league debut in 2023 but pitched in just six games (five starts). His lone MLB start in 2024 came back on May 23, when he threw 4 1/3 shutout innings in a no-decision against the Chicago Cubs. The former seventh-rounder didn't do great in the minors, posting a 4.85 ERA and 1.24 WHIP with 108 K's and 40 walks in 89 innings over 21 starts with Triple-A Gwinnett and High-A Rome. Needless to say, Smith-Shawver won't be a recommended DFS play for the first day of playoff action.
Atlanta Braves starting pitcher prospect AJ Smith-Shawver twirled his longest outing of the season on Wednesday when he pitched six innings of shutout baseball, allowing three hits and one walk while striking out seven batters. With the Braves in dire need of pitching earlier this season, the 21-year-old made one start for the big league club before suffering a strained oblique which led to a stint on the IL. The righty has made eight starts since coming off the IL in July and it hasn't gone too smoothly, allowing 12 earned runs on 15 hits (six home runs) and 12 walks, although the strikeout total remained stout with 32 Ks in 22 1/3 IP. Hopefully the Braves' second-ranked prospect is rounding into form and will be ready if called upon again down the stretch, but look for his fantasy relevance to reemerge in full force next season.
Atlanta Braves starting pitcher prospect AJ Smith-Shawver (oblique) made his first rehab start with High-A Rome on Wednesday. The righty pitched two innings, allowing one earned run on one hit (a home run) and no walks while striking out four batters. The 21-year-old made one start for Atlanta this season before hitting the injured list with an oblique strain. He made five starts (six appearances) last season with the Braves, posting a 4.26 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, and an 11:20 BB:K in 25 1/3 innings. He'll need at least a few more starts before the Braves consider him for the rotation, although he may stay in the minors when he's done with his rehab, but managers in need of pitching help should consider stashing the Braves' top prospect ahead of time if he's on the waiver wire.
AJ Smith-Shawver Starting Rehab Assignment On Wednesday
Atlanta Braves top prospect AJ Smith-Shawver (oblique) will start his minor-league rehab assignment with High-A Rome on Wednesday. It will be Smith-Shawver's first game action since he was diagnosed with a Grade 2 left-oblique strain back in late May. The 21-year-old right-hander made his major-league debut last year and allowed 14 runs (12 earned) on 17 hits (seven homers) while walking 11 and striking out 20 in six appearances (five starts). He made his only appearance for the Braves in 2024 in a start against the Cubs on May 23 and tossed 4 1/3 shutout innings with two free passes and four K's. The Braves could have Smith-Shawver return to the minors when he's past his oblique injury, but whenever he does get another shot in the big-league rotation, fantasy managers should pounce on him if he's available on the waiver wire.
Braves Place AJ Smith-Shawver On 15-Day Injured List
The Atlanta Braves placed rookie right-hander AJ Smith-Shawver (oblique) on the 15-day injured list on Friday with a strained left oblique muscle and recalled left-hander Ray Kerr from Triple-A Durham in order to start on Friday against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Smith-Shawver must have injured his oblique in his start against the Chicago Cubs on Thursday in which he threw 4 1/4 scoreless innings. It was the 21-year-old's first start of the 2024 season in the big leagues. Oblique injuries are usually tricky to come back from, so fantasy managers that picked Smith-Shawver up shouldn't be surprised if he's not ready to return in 15 days. And when he is ready to come back, the Braves may choose to send him back to Gwinnett. It's a tough break for the team's top prospect, per MLB Pipeline.
Atlanta Braves pitching prospect AJ Smith-Shawver looked good in his season debut on Thursday as he tossed 4 1/3 scoreless innings in a 3-0 win over the Chicago Cubs. He struck out four batters while walking two. The 21-year-old is the Braves' top prospect and has a legitimate chance at sticking in the team's starting rotation. Despite the impressive outing, Smith-Shawver has struggled at Triple-A Gwinnett this season to the tune of a 6.10 ERA and 1.52 WHIP across eight starts. He tentatively lines up to face the Washington Nationals in his next start and would be a solid streaming option for that contest. Nevertheless, fantasy managers may want to temper expectations a little bit as there are sure to be some growing pains in store.
Atlanta Braves pitching prospect AJ Smith-Shawver will be recalled from Triple-A Gwinnett to make his 2024 debut on Thursday against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field. The 21-year-old right-hander is the Braves' top prospect, per MLB Pipeline, and he could have a shot to stick around as Atlanta's No. 5 starter if he impresses in the series finale. He's worth a speculative pickup in redraft fantasy leagues for his upside and high-end prospect pedigree, but he also hasn't looked very good in the minors this year, posting a 6.10 ERA and 1.52 WHIP with 17 walks and 35 strikeouts in 31 innings over eight starts for Gwinnett. Smith-Shawver made six appearances in his MLB debut in 2023 and had a 4.26 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and a 20:11 K:BB in 25 1/3 frames. He has an electric pitch mix but is still a work in progress. The young righty will face a Cubs team that ranks 17th in OPS (.691) that has the ninth-most strikeouts in the league.
AJ Smith-Shawver
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Braves
