Player Review: AJ Smith-Shawver

Smith-Shawver showed promise in 2023.

AJ Smith-Shawver's stats

Majors: 1-0 with a 4.26 ERA with 20 strikeouts and 11 walks in 25.1 innings
Minors: 4-2 with a 2.76 ERA with 79 strikeouts and 33 walks in 62 innings

Grading AJ Smith-Shawver's 2023 season

Pitching: B+

Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

I have not seen many prospects fly through the minor leagues as fast as AJ Smith-Shawver did in 2023. He started the 2023 season in Single-A Rome before moving to Double-A Mississippi and then to Triple-A Gwinnett. Eventually, he found his way to Atlanta. That is a meteoric rise for any prospect.

You could maybe expect a rise like that out of a kid that was drafted out of college but Smith-Shawver was a 7th round pick in 2021 out of Colleyville High School in Texas. He has gone from High School to the Bigs in just two years and he has looked great doing it.

Smith-Shawver is a kid who has the potential to be a future Ace. I can't wait to see what he does in 2024. We only got to see him for 25.1 innings in 2023 but I have a feeling that number will rise significantly next year.

AJ Smith-Shawver's contract status

AJ Smith-Shawver is in the same situation as Bryce Elder where he is in Pre-Arb for the next three years before he becomes arbitration-eligible. Smith-Shawver earned $720,000 with the Braves in 2023.

Important Braves Today Offseason Stories
2023 MLB Free Agent Rankings
Current Atlanta Braves prospect rankings
Current Atlanta Braves 40-man roster
Key offseason dates for the Atlanta Braves
Projecting the 2024 Atlanta Braves' arbitration salaries

Check out Braves Today on Socials!
Follow Braves Today on Twitter!
Like Braves Today on Facebook!
Check out the homepage for more Atlanta Braves News!
Subscribe to Braves Today on YouTube!
Get Exclusive Braves Merchandise