Atlanta’s young right-hander is positioning himself as a high-velocity postseason weapon despite a rocky season as a starter.
The Atlanta Braves may have found a way to get something more out of AJ Smith-Shawver just as the postseason approaches, and Walt Weiss' latest comments suggest the young right-hander could have a meaningful role when October begins.
Smith-Shawver has spent most of 2026 trying to establish himself as a starter after returning from Tommy John surgery. The results have been difficult, with a 6.60 ERA across eight appearances, including five starts. His most recent outing against Cincinnati wasn't particularly encouraging on the surface, as he allowed two runs over two innings while giving up a home run.
Weiss, however, came away with a different impression of what Smith-Shawver can provide.
"I think AJ's stuff has certainly played up out of the bullpen," Weiss said after Thursday's game, via Sports Illustrated's Harrison Smajovits. "He got clipped on a curveball tonight, but I thought he threw the ball well. And, yeah, I mean, I think he can be a weapon in that role here in the postseason for us."
That distinction is important for Atlanta. Smith-Shawver hasn't suddenly turned around his season as a starter, but the Braves have started seeing a version of him that might be more useful in shorter appearances.
His outing against Houston on Sept. 20 offered the clearest example. Smith-Shawver worked two scoreless innings, struck out four hitters and reached 100.3 mph with his fastball, the fastest pitch of his career. He needed only 34 pitches to get through those two innings, showing the kind of velocity that could become particularly valuable when he doesn't have to conserve energy for a traditional start.
Atlanta has already seen him handle a similar assignment out of necessity. When Reynaldo López exited early in September, Smith-Shawver helped cover multiple innings, giving the Braves some experience with him in a relief capacity.
The adjustment has required a different routine for the 23-year-old. Smith-Shawver explained after his appearance against the Cubs that he now has to stay ready for whenever the phone rings, rather than knowing well in advance which day he'll take the mound.
That uncertainty is part of what makes the role different from starting, especially for someone who has spent most of his professional career preparing for scheduled outings.
The Braves still have decisions to make with their postseason pitching staff. Grant Holmes and JR Ritchie remain options for starts, while Smith-Shawver could provide length from the bullpen if Atlanta decides that is where his stuff fits best.
For now, Weiss has made his opinion clear. Smith-Shawver's recent outings have given the Braves another way to approach their pitching staff, and his next appearance could help determine just how much responsibility he receives in October.
Considering how difficult his season has been as a starter, that opportunity represents a meaningful change in direction for the young right-hander.
