Why Next Season Is Pivotal For Braves' AJ Smith-Shawver

The Atlanta Braves have not seen sustained success from one of their youngest arms in the organization, AJ Smith-Shawver. 

Through four seasons, the 23-year-old right-hander only appeared in 25 games since making his debut in 2023. While his inexperience had a part in his limited innings, he has also struggled to remain healthy, a concerning sign given his youth.

Smith-Shawver only pitched two games in 2024 as he battled through an oblique issue that kept him sidelined from May 24 until July 9. Unfortunately, the 2025 season wasn't any better after he went down with a UCL tear, warranting Tommy John surgery. 

Still, he showed flashes of potential before the injury, striking out a career-high 42 batters  and recording a 3.86 ERA. Even then, his command still needs a bit of work after he gave up 21 walks that same year.

This season, Atlanta would give the ball to Smith-Shawver for nine games to compensate for multiple injuries to their starting rotation with Bryce Elder undergoing knee surgery and veteran Martín Pérez running into back problems. Reynaldo López missed time as well, most recently dealing with right shoulder discomfort that cut his season short.

Through his appearances this year, Smith-Shawver and the Braves didn't get the results they hoped for as he surrendered 32 hits and 23 earned runs to finish the season with an underwhelming 6.61 ERA and 0-3 record.

Smith-Shawver's struggles also played a role in the Braves' NLDS exit to the Los Angeles Dodgers. He yielded three hits and three earned runs including two homers across 2.2 innings of work to hand the team a 5-3 loss in Game 1.

Nonetheless, his outing against the Houston Astros on Sept. 20 proved why the Braves selected him in the seventh round of the 2021 MLB Draft. He tossed two scoreless innings, only giving up one hit while recording four punchouts.

Smith-Shawver also had a resilient showing in Atlanta's 9-5 loss to the division rival Washington Nationals, fanning five batters even as he allowed six hits and five earned runs.

With Atlanta looking to build off a huge bounce-back year in which they made it back to the postseason, Smith-Shawver's bid for a long-term spot in the rotation might have gotten more difficult as Elder, Pérez and López are all set to make their return by the start of next season.

For now, Smith-Shawver will look to remain healthy as general manager Alex Anthopoulos searches for possible reinforcements to the pitching staff this offseason.