Spring training is in full swing and the Atlanta Braves have a lot to consider ahead of the 2025 season. The bullpen battle will be the main thing to keep an eye on as there are multiple spots to fill.
However, there are still two rotation slots to monitor throughout spring. Most people expect Grant Holmes and Ian Anderson to be the fourth and fifth starters, mainly because they are both out of minor league options. Anderson's first start of the spring was rough and Holmes' first appearance was decent. This leaves some of Atlanta's talented prospects like A.J. Smith-Shawver still in the hunt to make the cut instead.
Smith-Shawver is one of the Braves' top prospects and has gained valuable MLB experience over the last couple of years. MLB expert Keith Law recently ranked Smith-Shawver 16th on his list of rookies most likely to make an impact in 2025.
AJ Smith-Shawver session. #Braves pic.twitter.com/vJQFotNWX9
— Grant McAuley (@grantmcauley) February 12, 2025
Braves rookie AJ Smith-Shawver has an opportunity to prove he is worthy of a rotation spot ahead of first spring training start
Believe it or not, AJSS is still a rookie as he's yet to surpass 50 innings pitched in the big leagues. He currently has a 3.64 ERA over 29.2 innings with 13 walks and 24 strikeouts. He only appeared in one regular season game in 2024 when he pitched 4.1 scoreless innings against the Cubs in May.
He strained his oblique in that game and wouldn't pitch again until July in the minors where he remained for the rest of the season. Fans will remember he was chosen last minute to pitch in game one of the NLDS after Chris Sale's back injury.
It didn't go well for the 22-year-old as he allowed three runs on four hits over 1.1 innings. However, he was placed in a tough spot and no one expected him to go out there to be an ace.
WATCH: After getting a playoff start under his belt, #Braves pitcher AJ Smith-Shawver is ready for a bounce back 2025.
— Miles Garrett (@MilesGarrettTV) February 18, 2025
Obviously not the result he was looking for, but he says the experience was valuable in his development for this season as he looks to help this rotation. pic.twitter.com/U7uu5G849Y
Smith-Shawver makes his spring training debut against the Pirates on Wednesday and he has a prime opportunity to show he should be considered in the rotation discussion. He has been developing a cutter this offseason which he mentioned is to add another hard pitch to his arsenal. If he can develop that pitch well and improve his breaking balls, it could be just what he needs to take the next step.
The Texas native stated he spent the offseason studying his delivery to see if he could do something to avoid another oblique injury. He also worked on fine-tuning his location. Command has been a big issue for the righty but he is extremely talented and will eventually figure that out.
Smith-Shawver has the right mindset ahead of his first start, stating: “You can only control one person. That’s kind of the way to look at it, I feel like. I mean, you want everybody to have success and be in a good situation. You just want to win games."