Braden Shewmake Impresses as a Gwinnett Striper

Braden Shewmake, the Atlanta Braves 8th-ranked prospect according to Tomahawk Take, is turning some heads in Gwinnett.

Braden Shewmake is turning heads in Gwinnett so far. The shortstop has hit .312/.369/.452 2 HR, 15 R, 6 RBI, and 4 SB for the Atlanta Braves‘ AAA affiliate.

This is a nice bounce back from 2021 at AA Mississippi where he hit .228/.271/.401 12 HR, 40 R, 40 RBI, 4 SB with a .296 wOBA and 84 wRC+. It is much closer to what people expected from Braden Shewmake at the plate.

Maybe the most impressive part of his game has been his defense. The belief when he was first drafted is that he might need to move off of shortstop. The potential to be a multi-position utility player is still there, and while that is still an intriguing possibility, Shewmake now looks like he could stick at shortstop at the major league level.

Some eventual work with Ron Washington could improve that defense even more.

Braden Shewmake is doing everything right to improve his standing within the organization. So much so, he would probably be the call-up if one of the Braves infielders suffered a lengthy injury.

The other situation Shewmake is creating with his stellar play is raising questions about what happens to Dansby Swanson this offseason.

Swanson has been solid for the Braves so far in 2022 with a 1.0 fWAR but he is a free agent this winter barring a midseason contract extension. If Swanson asks for a large payday this offseason, then Shewmake could make it easier to allow Swanson to walk.

Especially if Shewmake continues this level of play.

It is too early to discuss who may be the 2023 shortstop for the Braves. For right now, we can appreciate Braden Shewmake’s strong start to the 2022 season in Gwinnett. He could be in Atlanta soon.