The Atlanta Braves young flamethrower AJ Smith-Shawver might be making his move. The Braves’ No. 3 prospect took the mound against the Twins on Saturday night.
While the box score might not scream “dominance,” the performance itself? That’s another story. Four innings, two runs on six hits, and an eye-catching eight strikeouts. Not bad, right?
But the real story here is how he handled himself outside of one rough patch in the second inning. Three of his four frames were clean, including a sharp 1-2-3 third inning.
A Bold Prediction for 2025
That performance was enough to get MLB.com’s Mark Bowman buzzing on social media. Bowman took it a step further, predicting Smith-Shawver will make at least 20 starts for the Braves this season.
And in his eyes, that’s not even a bold call. He compared it to Spencer Schwellenbach’s rise last season, noting that Smith-Shawver could crack the rotation even earlier than Schwellenbach did.
That’s a bit of baseball irony for you—considering Schwellenbach’s opportunity only came because Smith-Shawver got hurt after his own debut.
A Look Back at Smith-Shawver’s Journey
For a refresher, Smith-Shawver’s lone big-league start in 2024 showed promise. He went 4 1/3 scoreless innings, striking out four before an oblique injury sidelined him for over a month.
After that, he spent the rest of the season in Triple-A, where his 4.86 ERA in 20 starts wasn’t exactly dazzling, but there was a late-season glimmer of progress—a 3.75 ERA in September. That’s the kind of trend that can get a young pitcher back on the radar.
Where Does He Fit in the Braves 2025 Rotation?
The Braves’ rotation situation is a bit fluid. Ian Anderson and Grant Holmes are penciled in for now, but Spencer Strider’s return looms, and Smith-Shawver’s upside is enough to make things interesting.
He could push Anderson and Holmes into the bullpen if he delivers in the early months. Both have had strong springs though. Smith-Shawver will have to earn his way into the conversation.
So, is Bowman’s prediction on point? We’ll find out soon enough. But one thing’s for sure—Smith-Shawver’s stock is rising, and the Braves might have a serious weapon waiting in the wings.
