A.J. Smith-Shawver‘s meteoric rise was a piece of the success of the 2023 Atlanta Braves. Smith-Shawver rose quickly through the system. The Colleyville, TX native left his mark in Atlanta, and is one of the Braves’ top organizational prospects heading into ’24.
Smith-Shawver was a seventh round pick by the Braves in the 2021 amateur draft and made six appearances in Atlanta last summer. The now 21year-old right hander was one of many minor leaguers given a chance to stick due to injuries.
Rising through the system
A.J. started the season at High-A Rome. He quickly ascended to Double-A Mississippi, and then split time between Gwinnett and Atlanta the remainder of the season. Smith-Shawver made 15 appearances in the minor leagues this season, while making six appearances in The A.
June 4, 2023 was the first appearance for A.J. in a Braves uniform. He came out of the ‘pen against the Diamondbacks, striking out three in 2.1 innings of work. That relief appearance earned him a start against the Gnats on June 9. He worked 5.1 innings, allowed three hits and two runs in a no-decision. Smith-Shawver’s first win came in his next outing, an 8-3 win in Colorado. He struck out six and walked one in 5.2 innings of work. He allowed six hits and two bombs, but it was enough to keep him around.
In his next two starts, A.J. gave up a total of five home runs that saw him pack his bags and head back to Gwinnett. He made one more start late in the season, working 3.2 innings in the series that ended the season for the Cubs. When it was all said and done, Smith-Shawver was 1-0 with a 4.26 ERA and 1.105 WHIP in Atlanta. In the minors in 2023, he was 4-2 with a 2.76 ERA and 1.129 WHIP.
High hopes
While Braves Journal editor-in-chief, Ryan Cothran, had a little fun with abbreviating Smith-Shawver’s name – and so did I – he shoved much of 2023. He is regarded as one of if not THE top prospects in the system and will vie for a spot in the rotation in 2024. He sports a decent fastball, nasty slider, and an emerging change-up that makes him tough to deal with.
Just three years out of high school, where he only pitched one season if I remember correctly, there is reason for optimism here. Smith-Shawver’s meteoric rise through the system should set him up for success for years to come.
This is ASS’s year.
I gotta believe both AJSS and Waldrep will spend the 1st half in Gwinnett or until major injury. We have five solid starters to begin the year with (all rhetoric to the contrary). Elder will begin in the 5th slot. By mid-year, all of AJSS, Waldrep, Anderson, Ynoa, Vines, Winans, etc.. will be pitching in Gwinnett (and may constitute the leagues best AAA rotation). One of those or Elder will be primed for the 2nd half and be used to save wear and tear on Sale and Morton. With any luck two of those guys will be able to replace Fried and Morton in 2025. one never knows what may happen with injuries but the Braves are primed with depth more than any other MLB team.
I’d also like to mention that guys like Aaron Hicks, Kyle Lewis, Pillar, Michael A. Taylor and others are still available on the open market for minor league deals even if we do have Luplow. It’d be nice to see Uncle Jesse back on a MiLB deal.