A.J. Smith-Shawver

Fantasy News

• Braves' AJ Smith-Shawver: Impressing in camp

  Rotowire Mar 18, 2025

  Smith-Shawver, who struck out eight over four innings in Saturday's Grapefruit League start against the Twins, could make the Opening Day roster even if Atlanta also carries Grant Holmes and Ian Anderson, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports. He gave up two runs on six hits and zero walks in his most recent start, building up to a spring-high 75 pitches (55 strikes). Smith-Shawver seems to be a better bet than Anderson to provide fantasy value if given the opportunity, and Bowman notes that Atlanta plays seven straight days to open the season, so it could make sense for the team to break camp with six starters in case any of the first five stumble and length is needed from the bullpen. Anderson being out of options tips the scales in his favor, but Smith-Shawver's standout spring training shouldn't be overlooked. He has specifically impressed by leaning on his secondary pitches when he gets behind in counts, showing that he can throw all four pitches for strikes.

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• Braves' AJ Smith-Shawver: Still in mix for rotation spot

  Rotowire Mar 12, 2025

  Smith-Shawver has a 3.38 ERA and 10:3 K:BB through eight Grapefruit League innings this spring as he attempts to win a spot in Atlanta's Opening Day rotation. Grant Holmes and Ian Anderson were viewed as the favorites for the final two spots coming into camp, as both are out of minor-league options. Anderson has struggled to find the plate, however, stumbling to a 5:9 K:BB in his eight spring innings, although he's minimized the damage by giving up just two hits. If Atlanta eventually decides Anderson isn't up to the task, it could open the door for the 22-year-old Smith-Shawver to break camp on the 26-man roster. More likely, the young righty will return to Triple-A Gwinnett, where he posted a 4.86 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 104:40 K:BB over 87 innings in 2024.

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• Braves' AJ Smith-Shawver: Named Game 1 starter

  Rotowire Oct 1, 2024

  Smith-Shawver will start Tuesday in Game 1 of the National League Wild Card Series against the Padres, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports. With a doubleheader Monday and Chris Sale (back) unavailable, Atlanta's options for Game 1 were limited. Smith-Shawver made just one regular-season start with the big club, tossing 4.2 frames back in May versus the Cubs. Atlanta no doubt will have Smith-Shawver on a very short leash Tuesday.

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• Braves' AJ Smith-Shawver: On wild-card roster

  Rotowire Oct 1, 2024

  Atlanta recalled Smith-Shawver from Triple-A Gwinnett on Tuesday. Smith-Shawver will be part of the club's NL Wild Card Series roster against the Padres, and he and Bryce Elder are the candidates to draw the start in Game 1. The young right-hander has made just one start with the big club this season, tossing 4.1 scoreless innings versus the Cubs back in May.

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• Braves' AJ Smith-Shawver: Rejoining Atlanta as reliever

  Rotowire Jul 9, 2024

  Atlanta activated Smith-Shawver (oblique) from the 15-day injured Tuesday. Smith-Shawver had been slated to make his second rehab start Tuesday with Triple-A Gwinnett, but he will rejoin the big club instead to offer length in the bullpen, per Justin Toscano of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. The young right-hander struck out four and allowed one run over two innings in his lone rehab appearance last week with High-A Rome. Smith-Shawver went 4.1 shutout frames in his lone start this season for Atlanta back in late May before exiting with a strained oblique.

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• Braves' AJ Smith-Shawver: Cleared for rehab assignment

  Rotowire Jul 3, 2024

  Smith-Shawver (oblique) will begin a rehab assignment with High-A Rome on Wednesday. Smith-Shawver was diagnosed with a Grade 2 left oblique strain back in late May but has been cleared to return to game action. The young right-hander should be an option for Atlanta's rotation shortly after the All-Star break if all goes well, although it's possible he'll remain in the minors rather than rejoin the major-league club.

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• Braves' AJ Smith-Shawver: Diagnosed with Grade 2 strain

  Rotowire May 24, 2024

  Smith-Shawver was diagnosed with a Grade 2 left oblique strain Friday, Justin Toscano of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports. Smith-Shawver was placed on the 15-day injured list earlier Friday, though a Grade 2 strain likely means a six-to-eight-week recovery timeline. The 21-year-old righty was called up Thursday to make a spot start against the Cubs, and Atlanta's pitching needs will likely dictate whether he remains in Atlanta or heads to Triple-A Gwinnett once he returns from the IL -- likely sometime in July.

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• Braves' AJ Smith-Shawver: Starting Thursday

  Rotowire May 22, 2024

  Smith-Shawver will be recalled from Triple-A Gwinnett to start Thursday's game against the Cubs, Justin Toscano of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports. Smith-Shawver will be making his first big-league start of 2024 on Thursday after logging a 6.10 ERA and 1.52 WHIP through 31 innings across eight starts in Triple-A. He appeared in six games for Atlanta last season with mixed results, though he could find some success against a Cubs offense that ranks 10th in the National League with a .683 OPS.

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• Braves' AJ Smith-Shawver: Velocity ticking up

  Rotowire Apr 30, 2024

  Smith-Shawver topped 99 mph with three fastballs during his last start for Triple-A Gwinnett on Wednesday, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports. The 21-year-old right-hander is still learning the nuances of pitching after mostly playing quarterback in high school, so it's not surprisingly that Smith-Shawver is unlocking more velocity. He struck out a season-high seven batters in five innings for Gwinnett on Wednesday, and while Atlanta is limiting his workload by only having him pitch once a week rather than on a regular five-day schedule, he still figures to be an option for the big-league rotation at some point in 2024. After a couple shaky outings to begin the year at Triple-A, he's given up four runs with a 10:4 K:BB over his last 9.2 innings.

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• Braves' AJ Smith-Shawver: Sent down to Triple-A

  Rotowire Mar 11, 2024

  Atlanta optioned Smith-Shawver to Triple-A Gwinnett on Monday. Smith-Shawver finished with an 8.22 ERA over three Grapefruit League starts but also boasted an 11:2 K:BB across 7.2 innings of work. The young right-hander was always pegged for Gwinnett's rotation to open the season but could wind up making a good number of starts with the big club in 2024.

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• Braves' AJ Smith-Shawver: Mixed bag in spring start

  Rotowire Feb 29, 2024

  Smith-Shawver gave up three runs on four hits and a walk over two innings during Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the Phillies. He struck out three. He was facing most of Philly's Opening Day lineup, and while the strikeouts were encouraging, Smith-Shawver got taken deep by J.T. Realmuto and Alec Bohm in the first inning. The 21-year-old right-hander is competing for a rotation spot in camp after a meteoric rise through the Atlanta system in 2023 -- he began last season at High-A Rome but made his big-league debut in early June. He has enticing upside thanks to a high-90s fastball complemented by a slider and curve that can both flash plus. Given the organization's pitching depth though, Smith-Shawver would likely need to dominate this spring to avoid beginning the season with Triple-A Gwinnett.

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• Braves' AJ Smith-Shawver: Part of NLDS roster

  Rotowire Oct 6, 2023

  Smith-Shawver will be on Atlanta's roster for the NLDS against the Phillies, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports. Spencer Strider, Max Fried and Bryce Elder are locked in as the NLDS starters for the NL East champions, but Smith-Shawver can be a piggyback option if any of those three run into early trouble versus Philadelphia. The 20-year-old right-hander registered a 4.26 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 20:11 K:BB over his first 25.1 major-league innings during the regular season.

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• Braves' AJ Smith-Shawver: Optioned to Triple-A

  Rotowire Sep 13, 2023

  Smith-Shawver was optioned to Triple-A Gwinnett on Wednesday. Smith-Shawver's latest stint in the majors lasted just a couple days and he did not make an appearance. Atlanta has swapped him out in favor of Jared Shuster.

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• Braves' AJ Smith-Shawver: Struggles with command in return

  Rotowire Jul 30, 2023

  Smith-Shawver did not factor into the decision Sunday, allowing three runs on four hits and four walks over five innings in an 8-6 win over the Brewers. He struck out three. Smith-Shawver issued a season-high four walks in his first MLB start since June 23. While the 20-year-old right-hander was largely able to limit the damage, he'd ultimately get stuck with a no-decision. Smith-Shawver has been decent through five major-league starts, pitching to a 4.57 ERA with a 1.25 WHIP and 18:10 K:BB across 21.2 innings. However, he could head back to the minors as Max Fried (forearm) is expected to return to Atlanta's rotation next week.

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• Braves' AJ Smith-Shawver: Rejoining Atlanta rotation Sunday

  Rotowire Jul 29, 2023

  Smith-Shawver will be recalled from Triple-A Gwinnett to start Sunday's game against the Brewers, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports. Smith-Shawver was demoted in late June after making four appearances in the majors, and he'll rejoin Atlanta's rotation for Sunday's series finale versus Milwaukee. The 20-year-old had a 4.32 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 15:6 K:BB across 16.2 frames in his first taste of the big leagues, and he pitched well in his past two starts for Gwinnett with two runs allowed and 10 strikeouts over nine innings, though he also issued seven walks. With Atlanta potentially looking for rotation depth at the trade deadline and Max Fried (forearm) nearing his return from the injured list, this could be a short stay in the majors for Smith-Shawver.

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• Braves' AJ Smith-Shawver: Demoted to minors

  Rotowire Jun 26, 2023

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

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• Braves' AJ Smith-Shawver: Only 3.1 innings in Cincinnati

  Rotowire Jun 23, 2023

  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. 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.

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• Braves' A.J. Smith-Shawver: Sleeper pitchers for Week 13 (June 19-25)

  Rotowire Jun 18, 2023

  A.J. Smith-Shawver unveiled a much fuller arsenal in his second career start Thursday against the Rockies and saw his whiff rate spike as a result. His matchup this week at Philadelphia isn't the most favorable, but it's reasonable to take a shot on the upside.

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• Braves' AJ Smith-Shawver: Picks up first MLB win

  Rotowire Jun 16, 2023

  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. Smith-Shawver was solid Thursday, earning his first major-league win in his second start. Through his first two outings (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.

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• Braves' AJ Smith-Shawver: First MLB start Friday

  Rotowire Jun 8, 2023

  Smith-Shawver will make his first major-league start Friday against the Nationals, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports. 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 fast-rising 20-year-old was a seventh-round pick out of high school in 2021 and 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.

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