AJ Smith-Shawver - Page 8 - MLB News, Rumors, & Updates

AJ Smith-Shawver picks up first Triple-A victory AJ Smith-Shawver won his first Triple-A game as the right-hander pitched five innings in the Gwinnett Stripers 6-2 win over the Norfolk Tide...

JULY 23, 2023 • AJC.COM

Demoted to minors Atlanta optioned Smith-Shawver to Triple-A Gwinnett on Monday.

Impact Though Smith-Shawver was fast-tracked to the big leagues after he began the season at High-A Rome and pitched just 19 innings above the Double-A level, Atlanta evidently decided that the 20-year-old needed some more seasoning in the minors. Over his three starts and one extended relief appearance, Smith-Shawver struck out 15 batters in 16.2 innings and submitted a 1.14 WHIP, but he was stung by the long ball, as he allowed five home runs during that stretch. Atlanta called up Dereck Rodriguez from Gwinnett in a corresponding move to give the club a fresh relief arm heading into a three-game series with Minnesota, but Michael Soroka is likely to be called up from Gwinnett on Wednesday to start against the Twins in what would have been Smith-Shawver's turn through the rotation, according to Mark Bowman of MLB.com.

JUNE 26, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Only 3.1 innings in Cincinnati Smith-Shawver did not factor into the decision Friday, allowing five runs on four hits and two walks over 3.1 innings against the Reds. He struck out four.

Impact Atlanta staked Smith-Shawver to an early 5-0 lead, but the right-hander gave it all back before exiting with one out in the fourth. He served up three home runs, more than he allowed in his first three appearances combined (two). It was an outing to forget in one of the game's most hitter-friendly parks, but Smith-Shawver still has a 4.32 ERA and 1.14 WHIP in 16.2 total innings -- impressive for a 20-year-old in his first exposure to big-league hitters. He tentatively lines up to face the Twins at home next week.

JUNE 24, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Wednesday start postponed Smith-Shawver won't start Wednesday against Philadelphia as scheduled because the game has been postponed due to rain, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.

Impact The game will be made up Sept. 11 while Smith-Shawver's start will presumably be pushed back to Thursday. The 20-year-old righty has allowed three earned runs through 13.1 innings to begin his MLB career.

JUNE 22, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Picks up first MLB win Smith-Shawver (1-0) earned the win Thursday, allowing three runs on six hits and one walk over 5.2 innings against the Rockies. He struck out six.

Impact Smith-Shawver was impressive Thursday, allowing just one run on an Elias Diaz solo home run in the second inning. Through his first two starts (13.1 innings), Smith-Shawver has a 2.03 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and 11:4 K:BB after pitching to a 1.09 ERA in 33 innings in Triple-A. He's certainly earned a spot in Atlanta's rotation while Max Fried (forearm) and Kyle Wright (shoulder) are sidelined. Smith-Shawver tentatively lines up for a road matchup with the Phillies in his next outing.

JUNE 16, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

David O'Brien: AJ Smith-Shawver got his first MLB win in his... - The Athletic AJ Smith-Shawver got his first MLB win in his second start, limiting Colorado to 6 hits, 3 runs w/ 1 walk, 6 Ks, 2 HRs in 99 pitches, his hi...

JUNE 16, 2023 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Ozzie Albies, AJ Smith-Shawver lead the Braves to an 8-3 win over the Rockies

Ozzie Albies had three hits and three RBIs, and the Atlanta Braves beat the Colorado Rockies 8-3 to give 20-year-old rookie AJ Smith-Shawver his first major league win

JUNE 16, 2023 • Associated Press

Receives another start Smith-Shawver is scheduled to make his next start Wednesday versus the Tigers in Detroit, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.

Impact The 20-year-old rookie will receive a second turn through the rotation after he held his own during his first MLB start this past Friday versus the Nationals, covering 5.1 innings and striking out two while allowing two unearned runs on three hits and two walks. Due to Smith-Shawver's age, Atlanta will almost certainly manage his innings to some degree this season, but he should have some stability in the big-league rotation while Max Fried (forearm) and Kyle Wright (shoulder) are both likely several weeks away from returning from the injured list.

JUNE 11, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Impressive in first start Smith-Shawver didn't factor into the decision in Friday's 3-2 win over the Nationals, allowing two unearned runs on three hits and two walks over 5.1 innings. He struck out two.

Impact A year ago at this time, Smith-Shawver was a teenager at Single-A just trying to harness his plus stuff and find the plate often enough to be effective. Friday, he made his first career big-league start and consistently dotted the inside corners of the strike zone with mid-90s heat while generating weak contact that his defense has some trouble corralling. The 20-year-old didn't show the dominance he'd displayed earlier this season as he made a rapid ascent through Atlanta's system, but that should come as he gets more comfortable in the majors. With Max Fried (forearm) and Kyle Wright (shoulder) out until at least the All-Star break, Smith-Shawver appears to be in line for a long look in the rotation, with his next outing potentially coming next week in Detroit.

JUNE 10, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Streaking Braves rally late for another win as AJ Smith-Shawver excels in first MLB start Though he didn’t show it, Smith-Shawver said there was plenty of emotion roiling beneath his cool exterior on the mound.

JUNE 10, 2023 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Braves: Setting realistic expectations for AJ Smith-Shawver's first start AJ Smith-Shawver, who started the season in Single-A, is making his first MLB start with the Braves on Friday. But what should fans expect?...

JUNE 9, 2023 • FANSIDED.COM

Braves' AJ Smith-Shawver set to face Nats in first start Three months ago, 20-year-old right-hander AJ Smith-Shawver was on the roster for the Class-A Rome Braves.

JUNE 9, 2023 • NEWSOBSERVER.COM

First MLB start Friday Smith-Shawver will make his first major-league start Friday against the Nationals, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

Impact Smith-Shawver worked 2.1 hitless innings of relief in his big-league debut Sunday versus the Diamondbacks and will now officially step into Atlanta's rotation for the recently-demoted Michael Soroka. The 20-year-old right-hander was a seventh-round pick out of high school in 2021 and had exploded to the tune of a 1.09 ERA with 45 strikeouts through 33 innings (seven starts) this season between High-A Rome, Double-A Mississippi and Triple-A Gwinnett. He's a must-add for a favorable matchup in Atlanta against the visiting Nats.

JUNE 8, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Set for first MLB start Atlanta general manager Alex Anthopoulos confirmed Tuesday that Smith-Shawver will make his first major-league start this weekend against the Nationals, Jeff Schultz of the Atlanta...

Impact The start will either be Friday or Saturday. Whatever the case, it's a highly favorable matchup for the young right-hander at home in Truist Park. Smith-Shawver fanned three batters over 2.1 hitless innings of relief in his MLB debut Sunday at Arizona, building on the 1.09 ERA and 45:12 K:BB he had compiled through 33 innings (seven starts) this season in the minors. The young right-hander should be rostered everywhere as he slides into Atlanta's rotation following the Monday demotion of Michael Soroka.

JUNE 6, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Could make start this weekend Smith-Shawver could make a start for Atlanta on Friday or Saturday versus the Nationals, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.

Impact Michael Soroka was optioned to Triple-A Gwinnett earlier Monday, freeing up a spot in the rotation. Smith-Shawver made his major-league debut in relief Sunday in Arizona after Soroka struggled and the rookie fired 2.1 scoreless frames with three strikeouts. The 20-year-old barely has more than 100 professional innings under his belt, but his upside warrants rostership in most leagues.

JUNE 5, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Dazzles in big-league debut Smith-Shawver walked one and struck out three in 2.1 scoreless, no-hit innings of relief during Sunday's win over the Diamondbacks.

Impact Stepping on the mound in a big-league game for the very first time, Smith-Shawver showed little in the way of nerves and fired 22 of 39 pitches for strikes while topping out at 97.1 mph with his four-seam fastball. The 20-year-old right-hander began the season at High-A before rocketing through Atlanta's system, and while he may be in a low-leverage role at the moment, it's worth noting the team had Spencer Strider in a similar long-relief role for his first 11 appearances in 2022 before shifting him into the rotation. If Atlanta follows a similar plan with Smith-Shawver, he could be on track to take on a much bigger assignment after the All-Star break.

JUNE 5, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

David O'Brien: AJ Smith-Shawver, the 20-year-old Braves... - The Athletic AJ Smith-Shawver, the 20-year-old Braves prospect, impressed in his MLB debut Sunday, retiring 7 of 8 Dbacks (three Ks) after entering at th...

JUNE 4, 2023 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Selected to MLB roster Atlanta selected Smith-Shawver's contract from Triple-A Gwinnett on Tuesday.

Impact Smith-Shawver has ascended to the MLB level at the ripe age of 20 after dominating to the tune of a 1.09 ERA, 0.94 WHIP and 45:12 K:BB in 33 innings (seven starts) this season between High-A, Double-A and Triple-A. The young right-hander has never worked out of the bullpen in his pro career, but that seems to be the role he'll fill for the NL East leaders. Lucas Luetge was designated for assignment in a corresponding move.

MAY 30, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Impressing with Gwinnett Smith-Shawver gave up two runs on four hits and three walks over seven innings for Triple-A Gwinnett on Thursday. He struck out eight.

Impact The 20-year-old right-hander has finally been tagged for some runs -- four in 12 Triple-A innings -- after firing 21 scoreless frames between High-A and Double-A to begin the season, but Smith-Shawver is still having little trouble dominating minor-league hitters. Thursday's seven innings represented his longest start of the year, and across all three levels he sports a 45:12 K:BB through 33 frames. The 2021 seventh-round pick has taken a massive leap forward this year while flashing two plus pitches in his fastball and slider, and a big-league debut later in the summer can't be ruled out if he continues to impress.

MAY 26, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Promoted to Triple-A Smith-Shawver was promoted to Triple-A Gwinnett on Tuesday, Carlos Callazo of Baseball America reports.

Impact The 20-year-old righty started the season in High-A and has now become the youngest player at the Triple-A level. Smith-Shawver boasts a perfect 0.00 ERA and a 0.86 WHIP through 21 innings between the High-A and Double-A levels. It's unlikely that his hot streak propels him into the majors anytime soon, but he could be someone to keep an eye on in Triple-A.

MAY 16, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Devastating High-A hitters Smith-Shawver has not allowed an earned run while striking out 17 in nine innings through two starts for High-A Rome.

Impact We knew entering the season that Smith-Shawver had an electric arsenal, but the key to his excellent start to the season is his 8.6 percent walk rate, which is much more manageable than the 13 percent mark he logged at Single-A. At 20 years old, Smith-Shawver is also one of the youngest pitchers at High-A, and it wouldn't be surprising if Atlanta bumped him to Double-A if he keeps stacking starts of this caliber.

APRIL 25, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

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Ozzie Albies, AJ Smith-Shawver lead the Braves to an 8-3 win over the Rockies