NORTH PORT, Fla. — AJ Smith-Shawver won’t be on the Braves’ opening-day roster, but he showed considerable growth before the team optioned him to Triple-A Gwinnett on Monday.
The numbers don’t stand out — Smith-Shawver had an 8.22 ERA in 7⅔ innings — but he displayed legitimate development as a pitcher and impressed with how he carried himself. Smith-Shawver, 21, is the team’s top pitching prospect.
“It’s been awesome,” manager Brian Snitker said of watching Smith-Shawver. “Just how he’s growing, the improvement. The kid is getting better. The more he does it, the better he’s going to get at it. He’s got a great makeup, the realization of what he needs to work on. Everything. It’s really, really impressive how he came into camp.
“And he’s got the total game to work on. The run control, all that kind of stuff. But you know what, he’s headed in the right direction.”
Smith-Shawver made his major-league debut last season, pitching in six games (five starts) and posting a 4.26 ERA with a 20:11 strikeout-to-walk ratio. His best start was probably a June 9 outing against the Nationals when he allowed two unearned runs on three hits over 5⅓ innings.
“He’s terrific,” Braves starter Spencer Strider said. “I’ve been really impressed with him, from him getting called up and just feeling like a little guy, and now it’s like I struggle to remember that he’s four years younger than I am. His commitment to getting better and being the best version of himself is really strong. That’s fun for me. He likes to talk. He likes to learn and get better. We have a lot of good conversations bouncing stuff off each other. I thought, regardless of the stats, that he’s been throwing the ball really well this spring. I’m excited to see him up in the big leagues soon.”
The Braves are rebuilding their farm system after so many graduations and trades during the team’s six-year reign atop the National League East, but they’re beginning to see some younger players emerge. Smith-Shawver and 2023 first-round starter Hurston Waldrep are their top two prospects, both having encouraging springs that add credence to the hope they’ll be long-term rotation members.
“It’s awesome how they both handled themselves, very impressive,” Snitker said. “Two really fine young men, too.”
The Braves also reassigned catcher Sebastian Rivero to minor-league camp. Their roster stands at 39.
Strider fans nine
Braves co-ace Spencer Strider, the betting favorite for the NL’s Cy Young award, looked ready for the regular season in Monday’s tune-up. He allowed two hits and struck out nine over five scoreless innings against the Twins. Strider hasn’t allowed a run this spring, pitching 14 scoreless innings with a 22:4 strikeout-to-walk ratio.
“My focus is still on the end of the season,” Strider said. “That’s where it needs to be for everybody. This is a long season and we want to be our best in October when it matters most. So you can’t get too bothered or reactive to anything that goes on in spring training. You have to have a long-term view and adjust day-to-day, make small adjustments when you can. I think for me, that looks like figuring out what’s the best structure for my routine on start days? This a time where I can tinker with it, maybe deal with being a little less prepared physically if I tried new stretches or tried to emphasize some new things, (that) I wouldn’t in the regular season.
“I want things to be pretty strict in the regular season. But now I can tinker with stuff a little bit. We’re trying to get innings right now. That’s five innings (Monday), so I’ll probably have two more (starts) that will probably be a little more competitive and intent-focused. Try to narrow down the routine. Up to this point, it’s been about what’s going to serve me best over the long run.”
Strider has produced consecutive 200-strikeout campaigns in his first full major-league seasons. After finishing with 281 strikeouts — an Atlanta-era Braves record — across 186⅔ innings last season, Strider is seeking his first 300-strikeout year. Gerrit Cole (326) and Justin Verlander (300) were the most recent starters to record 300 strikeouts in a season, both in 2019.
Bummer, Johnson notch scoreless outings
Relievers Aaron Bummer and Pierce Johnson both pitched perfect innings in the Braves’ 3-0 win over Minnesota.
“Pierce is throwing the ball really well,” Snitker said. “Bummer too. That was pretty sharp today.”
Matzek, Minter will be fine
Lefty relievers Tyler Matzek (left-side soreness) and A.J. Minter (finger laceration) were scratched from scheduled appearances in the past two days due to minor injuries. Matzek threw a side session Monday and “looked good,” Snitker said. Matzek, who missed last season after undergoing Tommy John surgery, has been progressing well overall and has been on pace to be ready for opening day.
Minter is OK, Snitker said: “A little cut that they would’ve glued up and (he would’ve) pitched if this was May or June. He’s been throwing really good. The fact he missed (that appearance) isn’t going to be a big deal whatsoever.”
Kelenic playing in center
New left fielder Jarred Kelenic has struggled from a statistical standpoint this spring (going 2-for-27), but he’s had some bad luck — hard-hit balls right at defenders, for instance — and has displayed the traits that once made him among baseball’s top prospects. Snitker has been impressed with Kelenic’s athleticism — he scored from first base on Sean Murphy’s double Sunday — and plans to start him in center field Tuesday against the Pirates.
“I love him in the outfield,” Snitker said. “(Good) arm. ... It’s important if Michael (Harris II) needs a day or two (to have a suitable replacement in center). That’s why I’d like to look at Kelenic out there. With his skill set, he can do that with no problem.”
Speaking of Kelenic: The Braves traded pitchers Jackson Kowar and Cole Phillips to acquire him in what amounted to a salary-dump deal with the Mariners. Both Kowar and Phillips will miss the season after undergoing Tommy John surgery.
“I like what I saw (Sunday from Kelenic),” Snitker said. “He’s working his tail off, I know that.”
Pitching schedule
Offseason acquisition Reynaldo Lopez will start for the Braves on Tuesday in Bradenton against the Pirates. Bryce Elder, against whom Lopez is competing for the fifth-starter job, will start Wednesday against the Orioles in Sarasota. The two were piggybacked in their last appearances but the Braves opted to split them up this time.
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