{"id":5537,"date":"2023-05-31T20:20:52","date_gmt":"2023-06-01T03:20:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportrelay.com\/mlb\/?p=5537"},"modified":"2023-05-31T20:20:52","modified_gmt":"2023-06-01T03:20:52","slug":"braves-call-up-aj-smith-shawver","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportrelay.com\/mlb\/2023\/05\/31\/braves-call-up-aj-smith-shawver\/","title":{"rendered":"Braves Call Up AJ Smith-Shawver"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Atlanta Braves have called up AJ Smith-Shawver<\/a><\/strong> 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<\/a><\/strong> and optioned Dylan Dodd<\/a><\/strong> to Triple-A Gwinnett. After one day, Rodriguez was optioned back to Gwinnett, and the Braves called up Michael Soroka<\/strong><\/a> 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<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Lucas Luetge DFA’d<\/h4>\n

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.<\/p>\n

AJ Smith-Shawver Called Up<\/h4>\n

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\u20134 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.<\/p>\n

The Braves have had a flurry of starting pitchers injured. With the likes of star rotation pieces Kyle Wright<\/strong><\/a> and Max Fried<\/strong><\/a> injured for the foreseeable future, Smith-Shawver is another tool to the box for the Braves. Bryce Elder<\/a><\/strong> has been a solution for the Braves. However, Jared Shuster<\/a><\/strong> and Dylan Dodd have been rotational pieces that have been shaky. Smith-Shawver looks to add promise for the Braves this season.<\/p>\n

Main Photo:
\nEmbed from Getty Images<\/a>