Atlanta Braves News: AJ Smith-Shawver got the start for the Braves today against the Pirates at CoolToday Park. AJSS pitched two solid innings for the Braves, striking out three, while walking zero, and allowing two hits. Pirates hitters looked overmatched against Smith-Shawver’s stuff today.

AJ Smith-Shawver, Nasty 85mph Changeup. 👌 pic.twitter.com/l2HwCk1fwT

— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) February 26, 2025

Smith-Shawver has an outside shot at earning a spot in the rotation until Spencer Strider returns. The likely candidates are Grant Holmes and Ian Anderson since they are both out of club options. However, Smith-Shawver needs to make his case for a roster spot in case something happens to either one of them or say the Braves just don’t have confidence Ian Anderson will return to form.

Not to outdo himself but here is AJ Smith-Shawver picking up his third strikeout, in a dominant second inning, with a slider away pic.twitter.com/kYCZGQXP92

— Gaurav (@gvedak) February 26, 2025

Anderson walked three in 1.1 innings in his spring debut.

Smith-Shawver didn’t start pitching until 2020 for his high school team. He has a ton of raw potential. This could be the year he puts it together at the major-league level for the Braves. Just because the Braves may start the year without Smith-Shawver in the rotation, you never know what it might look like by the end of the season.

The young flame thrower could also find himself in the bullpen if the Braves think he’s ready. How do you think AJSS’s 2025 season will play out? Let us know in the comments.