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WATCH: Top Braves Prospect Strikes Out Former MVP on Three Pitches

The Atlanta Braves have one of their top prospects exerting his will against one of the league's best sluggers

Lindsay Crosby

The Atlanta Braves are going to have rotation questions after the 2024 season. 

Forty-year-old Charlie Morton and staff ace Max Fried will both be reaching free agency, and there's no sign as of now of a pending contract extension for either starter. 

Luckily, the Braves may have answers as well, because top prospect AJ Smith-Shawver is absolutely DEALING this spring. 

Facing off with the New York Yankees from George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, Smith-Shawver squared off with 2022 American League MVP and noted slugger Aaron Judge.

It wasn't even a contest, with Smith-Shawver striking him out in three pitches. Smith-Shawver challenged the Yankees captain with two early curveballs before getting him to strikeout looking at a front-door slider. 

As this is a Statcast game, we can see the details of what Smith-Shawver threw Judge, and it's good stuff: 

But despite being staked to a 4-0 lead in the first inning, it wasn't smooth sailing for Smith-Shawver in the 2nd inning. After a leadoff single to Gleyber Torres and a Giancarlo Stanton double to put runners on 2nd and 3rd, both of them scored thanks to an Alex Verdugo single and a Jose Trevino sacrifice fly. All three of the hits came on pitches that were left close to the heart of the strike zone, something that's plagued Smith-Shawver in the past.

Smith-Shawver is battling for the 5th spot in the rotation with Bryce Elder and Reynaldo López, although the expectation is that Smith-Shawver will start the season in AAA Gwinnett. 

UPDATE: Smith-Shawver did it again, striking out Judge on a changeup in the slugger's second plate appearance. 

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Lindsay Crosby
LINDSAY CROSBY

Managing Editor for Braves Today and the 2023 IBWAA Prospects/Minors Writer of the Year. You can reach him at contact@bravestoday.com

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