Young Atlanta Braves Pitcher Is Standing Out To This Former MLB General Manager

The Atlanta Braves could have another younger pitcher on the rise.

The Atlanta Braves still have a few questions regarding their rotation.

Spencer Strider, Max Fried, Chris Sale and Charlie Morton will lead the charge with Reynaldo López and Bryce Elder finding ways to help eat innings for the Braves staff.

Atlanta's top pitching prospect, AJ Smith-Shawver, will also have a chance to be a factor in the rotation. A former MLB general manager, Jim Bowden of The Athletic, listed one player from all 30 teams who is turning heads. For the Braves, he pointed out Smith-Shawver.

"Smith-Shawver is the Braves’ best pitching prospect, and they thought so highly of him that they pushed him last year to the majors, where he made five starts and one relief appearance at 20 years old," Bowden wrote. "He received that promotion after posting a 2.76 ERA over 15 starts in the minors with 79 strikeouts in 62 innings. Smith-Shawver’s command and control, which have been his biggest issues, are starting to improve thanks to adjustments to his delivery. He’ll probably start the season in Triple-A but gives the Braves a solid option if and when injuries arise in the rotation."

This spring training, Smith-Shawver has started in two games. He's pitched 4.2 innings, recording eight strikeouts.

Being a former two-sport athlete, Smith-Shawver is seen as one of the most athletic players in Atlanta's system. His youth and upside is starting to show more and more as he gains more reps and experience with the Atlanta Braves. He should make a push for a larger role in 2024.

Pitching 'Nerds' Are Obsessed With a Braves Top Pitching Prospect