Although Braden Shewmake once carried the shine of a first-round draft pick, his professional journey has quietly morphed into one of the most baffling roster stories in baseball, culminating in a Yankees tenure that defies both performance and logic. Shewmake was selected by the Atlanta Braves in 2019 and quickly rose through prospect rankings, peaking as high as sixth on MLB Pipeline’s list of Braves prospects. On the surface, he looked like a polished collegiate infielder with a relatively safe floor. Behind the scenes, however, the Braves never appeared fully sold on his long-term upside, and that skepticism eventually manifested in his inclusion in a five-player deal to the Chicago White Sox for reliever Aaron Bummer. It was an early signal that Shewmake’s internal evaluations did not match his draft pedigree.
From Braves First-Round Pedigree to Roster Afterthought
Shewmake’s major league exposure with Atlanta was fleeting. He appeared in just two games in 2023, logged four at-bats, and failed to record a hit before being sent back to the minors. The White Sox afforded him a longer look after the trade, but the results were grim. In 67 plate appearances, he slashed .125/.134/.203, offering little offensive resistance even on a team barreling toward one of the worst seasons in modern history. Chicago ultimately decided he was not worth protecting and designated him for assignment, effectively labeling him surplus talent.
The Numbers That Don’t Justify the Roster Spot
After bouncing through waivers, Shewmake landed on the Yankees’ 40-man roster ahead of the 2024–2025 offseason. Spring training only deepened the confusion, as he posted an anemic .077/.133/.077 line before New York used its final minor league option. In Triple-A, Shewmake spent nearly the entire 2025 season, interrupted only by two injured-list stints. When healthy, his .244/.318/.362 slash line was unremarkable, especially for a 28-year-old infielder with no remaining options and a career -20 wRC+ at the major league level.
Why the Yankees’ Loyalty Baffles Everyone
Entering the current offseason, Shewmake appeared to be an obvious DFA candidate. Instead, the Yankees designated four other players, including Michael Siani and Marco Luciano, both of whom have provided more tangible value in the majors. The decision has infuriated fans and puzzled observers, inspiring viral memes and genuine questions about whether the organization even remembers Shewmake is on the roster. What makes the situation stranger is that New York is not lacking in infield coverage. Oswaldo Cabrera and José Caballero can handle shortstop, and Amed Rosario could fill in if needed.
There is no clear strategic explanation, no hidden upside apparent in the data, and no remaining prospect halo to justify the move. And yet, Braden Shewmake remains. As roster spots vanish and more productive players are shown the door, Shewmake’s continued survival on the Yankees’ 40-man roster has become less a baseball decision and more an enduring mystery, one that shows no signs of being resolved anytime soon.
