PITTSBURGH -- Now that AJ Smith-Shawver has enjoyed the best week of his blossoming big league career, there’s reason to wonder if things clicked for him in the middle of his April 12 start in Tampa or during the demotion he was handed 24 hours later.
Smith-Shawver might not have been as masterful as he was Monday night, when he limited the Reds to one hit over eight scoreless innings. But as the 22-year-old hurler helped the Braves claim a 3-2, 11-inning win over the Pirates on Saturday at PNC Park, he created more reason to believe he’s ready for a lasting spot in Atlanta’s rotation.
“He carried a no-hitter into the eighth inning the other day and you’re always wondering,” Braves manager Brian Snitker said. “He followed it up real good.”
Five days after pitching into the eighth inning for the first time in his professional career, Smith-Shawver limited the Pirates to five hits and one run over 5 2/3 innings. His performance was the day’s most encouraging from a big-picture perspective.
But his effort would have gone for naught without another stellar effort from Scott Blewett, who has worked a pair of scoreless innings in both of the extra-inning wins the Braves have claimed within the past three days. Making that more impressive is the fact that an automatic runner was on second base to begin each of those extra frames.
Safe to say the Braves were wise to take a chance on Blewett after both the Twins and Orioles put him on waivers in April. The 29-year-old reliever didn’t blow it after Matt Olson scored the decisive run in the top of the 11th on a Chase Shugart wild pitch that nearly hit Eli White’s batting helmet. Blewett's effort aided a bullpen that was without closer Raisel Iglesias, who will be available Sunday after getting a second straight day of rest.
“That’s amazing,” Snitker said of Blewett’s past two appearances.
Snitker could also be talking about Smith-Shawver, who is showing the great potential that was evident when he made his MLB debut in 2023 at just 20 years old. The right-hander made a relief appearance in the postseason that year, and despite making just one big league regular-season appearance last year, he was forced to start Game 1 of the Wild Card Series in San Diego.
So despite his big league career consisting of just 12 starts thus far, the former top prospect has had some seasoning.
“I think I’ve always had it, and I think I’ve always been able to get outs at this level,” Smith-Shawver said. “I think the opportunities I’ve been given have really helped.”
Smith-Shawver’s recent progress has been highlighted by his ability to get himself back on track quicker than he did in the past. He issued just two walks on Saturday, but both came ahead of Joey Bart’s RBI single in the fourth.
Bart went 3-for-3 against Atlanta’s young starter. As for the rest of the Pirates and Reds batters who faced Smith-Shawver this week? They went a combined 3-for-35.
“I think he’s looked a lot more controlled out there, and I think you can see it in the results,” Olson said.
Smith-Shawver lasted less than five innings in his first two starts this year. He then surrendered five hits while issuing two walks through the first 2 1/3 innings of his April 12 start against the Rays. But something seemed to click when he then responded by retiring seven of the final eight batters he faced that day, including five via strikeout.
Still, the Braves opted to send him to Triple-A Gwinnett the next morning. He made two starts for the Stripers before being recalled to start against the Rockies on April 29. He has a 1.42 ERA in the three starts he has made since rejoining Atlanta’s rotation.
Smith-Shawver’s splitter accounted for four of the five strikeouts he recorded through Saturday’s first two innings. The effectiveness of that pitch and his curveball has been enhanced by his improved fastball command.
But the most significant improvement over the past few weeks has likely come via enhanced confidence.
“I think if I keep the right mindset and keep myself in the right head space and go about it the right way, I think that’s when the results are the best,” Smith-Shawver said.