AJ Smith-Shawver's Stats, Metrics, Game Logs, Projections & Rankings

Atlanta Braves right-hander AJ Smith-Shawver has been named the starter for Game 1 of the wild-card series against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park on Tuesday night. The Braves didn't have ideal options to choose from to start against a strong Padres offense to kick off the three-game series, as Smith-Shawver got the nod over Ian Anderson and Bryce Elder. The 21-year-old made his big-league debut in 2023 but pitched in just six games (five starts). His lone MLB start in 2024 came back on May 23, when he threw 4 1/3 shutout innings in a no-decision against the Chicago Cubs. The former seventh-rounder didn't do great in the minors, posting a 4.85 ERA and 1.24 WHIP with 108 K's and 40 walks in 89 innings over 21 starts with Triple-A Gwinnett and High-A Rome. Needless to say, Smith-Shawver won't be a recommended DFS play for the first day of playoff action.

Atlanta Braves right-handers Ian Anderson, AJ Smith-Shawver and Bryce Elder are all candidates to start Game 1 of the wild-card series against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park on Tuesday. Anderson has some of the best postseason numbers of all time, but he hasn't pitched in the big leagues since 2022. The Braves may wait as long as possible to announce their starter against the Padres. Anderson has a 1.26 ERA in 35 2/3 innings pitched in the postseason, including a 1.04 WHIP with 40 strikeouts and 17 walks, but he'd be a pretty big dice role for Atlanta to kick off the three-game series. In 15 minor-league stops at four different levels this year, he had a 3.44 ERA and 1.28 WHIP with 68 strikeouts and 29 walks in 68 innings. Smith-Shawver made just one start for Atlanta this year and has six starts since debuting in 2023. Elder was an All-Star in 2023 but had an ERA over 6.00 in his 10 starts this year.

Atlanta Braves starting pitcher prospect AJ Smith-Shawver twirled his longest outing of the season on Wednesday when he pitched six innings of shutout baseball, allowing three hits and one walk while striking out seven batters. With the Braves in dire need of pitching earlier this season, the 21-year-old made one start for the big league club before suffering a strained oblique which led to a stint on the IL. The righty has made eight starts since coming off the IL in July and it hasn't gone too smoothly, allowing 12 earned runs on 15 hits (six home runs) and 12 walks, although the strikeout total remained stout with 32 Ks in 22 1/3 IP. Hopefully the Braves' second-ranked prospect is rounding into form and will be ready if called upon again down the stretch, but look for his fantasy relevance to reemerge in full force next season.