Spring training is rolling in, and with it comes one of the most intriguing offseason storylines: the battle for the Atlanta Braves backend of the rotation.
With Charlie Morton’s departure leaving a clear opening, the Braves hope someone will step up and claim that final spot.
And while names like Ian Anderson and Bryce Elder will certainly be in the mix, there’s a strong sense that the front office is keeping a close eye on their top pitching prospects to see if one of them can seize the moment.
Braves Top Pitching Prospects
Enter AJ Smith-Shawver and Hurston Waldrep, two of the most electric young arms in Atlanta’s system.
Both have the kind of raw stuff that can make big-league hitters look silly. However, they’re still ironing out the details that separate a promising prospect from a dependable major-league starter.
And here’s where things get interesting—both of them have spent the offseason working on a new pitch that could be the key to unlocking their full potential.
Waldrep’s Return to the Curveball
For Hurston Waldrep, the adjustment is more of a reunion than a reinvention. In college, he had a curveball in his arsenal, but he shelved it to focus on refining his slider.
Now, after watching how elite pitchers like Gerrit Cole, Justin Verlander, and Max Scherzer use the curve to neutralize left-handed hitters, he’s bringing it back.
The idea? Add a true vertical breaker that tunnels well with his high-ride fastball and devastating splitter.
That splitter, by the way, is already his calling card—it’s a pitch that’s fooled even top-tier hitters. But the concern has been that he needs another reliable weapon to keep hitters from sitting on his fastball.
If this curveball comes back sharper than before, it could be the perfect complement to his existing mix, giving him the versatility needed to compete for a rotation spot in 2025.
Smith-Shawver’s Cutter Experiment
On the other hand, AJ Smith-Shawver has been approaching this offseason with two goals: staying healthy and refining his repertoire.
At just 22 years old, he’s still navigating the ups and downs of professional pitching, but there’s no doubt he has the talent.
When he’s locked in, he has the ability to showcase four-plus pitches, but inconsistency has been a challenge.
That’s where the cutter comes in. Reports suggest he’s been working on adding this hard-breaking pitch to his mix, which could be a major asset.
We’ve seen how Spencer Schwellenbach benefited from introducing a sinker in the middle of last season.
The hope is that a cutter could similarly serve Smith-Shawver—giving him another fastball variant with movement that can keep hitters from keying in on his four-seamer.
What’s Next For the Braves?
Now, let’s be real—spring training battles can be unpredictable. Some guys dominate early, then fade; others start slow but make the necessary adjustments just in time.
Both Waldrep and Smith-Shawver are still young and learning, so patience will be key. That said, if either of these new pitches clicks in live game action, the difference-maker could propel them onto the Opening Day roster.
The Braves need someone to step up. Could it be one of these two? The auditions are about to begin.
