The Atlanta Braves have called up AJ Smith-Shawver from Triple-A Gwinnett. The Braves have had a pitching carousel in the last couple of days. They have made many pitching transactions within the last four days. First, the Braves called up Dereck Rodriguez and optioned Dylan Dodd to Triple-A Gwinnett. After one day, Rodriguez was optioned back to Gwinnett, and the Braves called up Michael Soroka after over 1,000 days away from the team due to injuries. Finally, the Braves called up AJ Smith-Shawver, and DFA’d Lucas Luetge.
Lucas Luetge DFA’d
Lucas Luetge was struggling with the Braves this 2023 season. With a -0.5 WAR and 2.172 WHIP, Luetge has been used in low-leverage situations; either the Braves have a significant lead or a large deficit, and Luetge does not show promise. With a 10.29 ERA, his performance has made Braves fans call for Luetge to be cut from the team.
AJ Smith-Shawver Called Up
With the Braves call up of number four prospect AJ Smith-Shawver, the starting pitcher has been impressive this season in the minor leagues. In 2022, Smith-Shawver posted a 5.11 ERA and a 3–4 record with the Low-A Augusta GreenJackets, showing signs of weakness and a very long potential route to the majors. However, 2023 has been a different story for the 20-year-old. Rising from High A in Rome to Triple-A this season, Smith-Shawver has a powerful fastball that can overpower opposing batters. In the three different leagues he has been in, Smith-Sawyer has posted a 1.09 ERA in 33 innings pitched. He gave up 19 hits and one home run while punching out 45 batters and a 0.939 WHIP.
The Braves have had a flurry of starting pitchers injured. With the likes of star rotation pieces Kyle Wright and Max Fried injured for the foreseeable future, Smith-Shawver is another tool to the box for the Braves. Bryce Elder has been a solution for the Braves. However, Jared Shuster and Dylan Dodd have been rotational pieces that have been shaky. Smith-Shawver looks to add promise for the Braves this season.
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Atlanta Braves
