ARLINGTON, Texas. – When Gwinnett Stripers manager Matt Tuiasosopo heard AJ Smith-Shawver, one of the Braves’ top prospects, was headed up to Triple-A, he sent someone a text asking how Smith-Shawver had looked to this point in the season.
He got a one-word response.
“Dominant,” the text said.
On May 2, the Braves promoted the 20-year-old Smith-Shawver – their No. 4 prospect, according to MLB Pipeline – to Double-A Mississippi from High-A Rome.
On Tuesday, they promoted him to Triple-A Gwinnett after only seven innings (two outings) in Double-A.
Other than in spring training, Tuiasosopo hasn’t seen Smith-Shawver pitch. He’s excited to watch the right-hander in his start in Memphis on Friday.
“It’s an electric arm,” Tuiasosopo told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “Young kid, but he seems to have a really good feel for who he is as a pitcher, his strengths and what he can do on that mound. I’m excited to see it. It’ll be a good test for him.”
Smith-Shawver’s next earned run will be his first of the season. Yes, you read that correctly: In 21 innings over two levels, he didn’t surrender an earned run. He’s struck out 31 batters while walking seven. He’s given up 11 hits.
In Double-A, Smith-Shawver sat 96-98 mph. He flashed a slider that usually ranged from 84-86 mph. He also throws a curveball.
Perhaps there’ll soon be a major-league opportunity for Smith-Shawver, whom the Braves drafted in the seventh round in 2021 out of Colleyville Heritage in Texas. Smith-Shawver was a 3-star quarterback before picking up pitching. Eventually, he committed to Texas Tech, where he planned to play baseball and football. (He can throw a football an estimated 70 yards.)
The Braves drafted him, and his plans changed.
The Braves’ scouting department first laid eyes on Smith-Shawver during the summer of 2020 – the COVID year. He touched 95 mph the first time a Braves scout saw him. He wasn’t famous in an area that produced multiple top high school prospects Jordan Lawlar and Jackson Jobe for the 2021 MLB Draft.
During his senior year of high school, Smith-Shawver, who was new to pitching, primarily threw fastballs. The Braves’ scouts never saw him throw a slider until the club drafted him.
When the Braves selected him, Smith-Shawver wasn’t close to what he is now – a testament to his work ethic and Atlanta’s player development department. He only made three starts in High A before the Braves had seen enough. Then he spent only two weeks in Double-A.
Something else that’s interesting: MLB is testing pre-tacked baseballs at Double-A. It might be beneficial for Smith-Shawver to be in Triple-A throwing the baseball used in MLB. The Braves weigh everything, but their decision obviously came down to the fact that they believed he could handle the jump to Triple-A.
The Braves have shown a willingness to fast-track players through the minor leagues if they feel those guys can handle it. They aren’t afraid to give prospects their next test.
“Our front office does a great job of doing things like this,” Tuiasosopo said. “They always have a good feel about sensing when young guys are ready for this jump.”
Maybe Smith-Shawver will be the next Braves prospect to take baseball by storm.
“Just my little time around him, just seeing him around the facility there and spring training, he don’t look like his age,” Tuiasosopo said. “His presence about how he carries himself, his presence walking around the field, just amongst the guys, he definitely is a very mature young man and very confident young man. Definitely very excited to see him.”
Marcell Ozuna celebrates 10 years of service time
In the visitors’ clubhouse on Tuesday at Globe Life Field, a “1″ balloon and a “0″ balloon sat right next to one another to form the number “10″ at Marcell Ozuna’s locker. There were also a couple gifts there.
On Tuesday, Ozuna celebrated 10 years of Major League service time.
To bring up Jared Shuster for Tuesday’s start, the optioned lefty Danny Young.ager Brian Snitker said. “They had a statistic in there that less than, I think, 10% of the guys to get a day in the big leagues make it to 10 years. So I think that’s quite an accomplishment for any player. that makes it to that 10-year mark. Because it’s hard. It’s a hard game to play and a hard game to do well in our game. That’s the thing with Marcell: He just never stops working, he’s the same guy every day. I think that helps get a guy through that 10 years, too.”
Ozuna has had his ups and downs, on and off the field. On Tuesday, he seemed happy to reach this milestone in his career.
Lucas Luetge begins rehab assignment
Lucas Luetge (left bicep inflammation) on Tuesday began a rehab assignment with Double-A Mississippi.
He threw 1 2/3 scoreless innings. He struck out three batters.
The lefty threw 28 pitches, 19 for strikes.
Danny Young optioned
To bring up Jared Shuster for Tuesday’s start, the Braves optioned lefty Danny Young.
In Monday’s win, Young relieved Charlie Morton and pitched the final 2 1/3 innings of the game. The Braves planned on him pitching, as they knew they would be optioning him to create a roster spot for Shuster.
Young has served his role well: In 8 1/3 frames this season, he’s allowed only one earned run.
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