Spring training baseball is in full swing for the Atlanta Braves, and coming out of yesterday's win against the Pirates there were plenty of talking points to breakdown. The Braves have reeled off three straight wins (if you're into that sorta thing) with some of the projected regulars starting to round into form.
Yesterday, we saw the debut of Jurickson Profar in a Braves uniform and he wasted no time introducing himself to Braves country. Elsewhere the biggest takeaways from the yesterday's game came from a couple top prospects and an important bullpen showcasing some impressive stuff. Before we get to that it is important to note the lone roster move from yesterday afternoon.
After the conclusion of yesterday's game, Atlanta announced that they optioned RHP Davis Daniel and RHP Amos Willingham to Triple-A Gwinnett. This came a day after optioning high-end prospect Hurston Waldrep to Triple-A camp as well.
The #Braves today optioned RHP Davis Daniel and RHP Amos Willingham to Triple-A Gwinnett. Atlanta now has 54 players in camp.
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) February 26, 2025
Top prospects make headlines in Braves win
The star of the show yesterday was 22 year-old pitching prospect, AJ Smith-Shawver. Atlanta's top pitching prospect looked stellar in his spring debut, striking out three and surrendering just two hits in his two innings of work.
It was the impressive arsenal of AJSS that left people talking around Braves camp, showcasing the swing and miss breaking ball and changeup as well as locating his power fastball in the strikezone. AJSS is battling Grant Holmes and Ian Anderson for a rotation spot this spring and he couldn't have asked for a better start. Hopefully, this is a sign of more to come for the Braves' promising right-hander.
Elsewhere, top hitting prospect Drake Baldwin collected an impressive opposite field double yesterday as well. Baldwin continues to get rave reviews across Braves camp, and with his approach at the plate it's easy to see why.
Daysbel Hernandez puts impressive velocity on display
Big news for folks worries about Atlanta's bullpen yesterday was the performance of RHP Daysbel Hernandez. The enigmatic righty is going to be an important piece for Atlanta's bullpen in 2025, and he's someone the front office has expressed hope in him taking the next step.
Hernandez may have boosted Anthopoulos' confidence yesterday when he sat in the upper 90's with his fastball and collected a couple punchouts in a scoreless inning of work. It's critical Hernandez continues to pepper the zone with his power fastball so that the Braves can count on him when the big four out the 'pen are leaned on across the 162 game marathon.