NORTH PORT, Fla. — Precisely one week earlier than beginning Sport 1 of the Nationwide League Wild Card Collection in San Diego, AJ Smith-Shawver was among the many Braves followers who gathered at Truist Park to look at Spencer Schwellenbach beat the Mets on Sept. 24.
“Yeah, that was one of many crazier weeks I’ve had as knowledgeable baseball participant,” Smith-Shawver mentioned.
Smith-Shawver is a 22-year-old pitcher who was Atlanta’s No. 2 prospect in 2024. Braves supervisor Brian Snitker is coming into his forty ninth season in skilled baseball.
“I don’t suppose I’ve ever skilled something like that,” Snitker mentioned.
Smith-Shawver was within the stands as he watched Schwellenbach beat the Mets to open the ultimate homestand. He waited to congratulate his good friend whereas standing exterior the house clubhouse, identical to the opposite family and friends members of Atlanta’s gamers. Rain postponed the ultimate two video games of the sequence, establishing a doubleheader on Sept. 30 that may decide the postseason fates of each the Braves and Mets.
Because the Braves performed the Royals from Sept. 27-29, Smith-Shawver was again amongst those that gathered exterior the house clubhouse after video games. He was there to see his teammates and one in all his greatest associates, Royals star shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. It was throughout that weekend sequence that Smith-Shawver realized he would possibly have to transition from fan again to participant to begin what can be one in all Atlanta’s most essential video games of the season.
“Going to the [Sept. 24] recreation and seeing Spencer throw properly, it was cool to be there as a fan,” Smith-Shawver mentioned. “Then, you get a name they usually say, ‘Hey, you might need to return pitch in one of many final video games of the 12 months.’”
Smith-Shawver returned to Truist Park for the Sept. 30 doubleheader in opposition to the Mets. He was by no means activated and truly briefly went house after the primary recreation. However he was then informed to return to the sector with a suitcase, which he wanted after the Braves gained the second recreation to arrange a best-of-three Wild Card Collection in opposition to the Padres in San Diego.
Earlier than Grant Holmes realized he was beginning the second recreation of the doubleheader simply half-hour previous to the primary pitch, the Braves hadn’t revealed the severity of Chris Sale’s sore again. Sale’s incapability to pitch opened the door for Smith-Shawver to get the Sport 1 begin, regardless of the actual fact his solely MLB look final 12 months occurred on Might 23. He pitched 4 1/3 robust innings that day at Wrigley Area after which spent two months on the injured checklist with a left indirect pressure.
“We fly to San Diego proper after the doubleheader, I am going to mattress, get up the subsequent day and I get a name from Snit round 11 or 12,” Smith-Shawver mentioned. “He’s like, ‘You’re beginning at this time.’ It was sort of a whirlwind. However these are the alternatives you dream about and actually need.”
“I’m sitting there consuming espresso in my lodge room that morning and never even believing we’re there,” Snitker mentioned. “So, I can’t even think about what that child was feeling.”
Smith-Shawver retired simply 4 of the 9 batters he confronted and allowed three runs on 4 hits. Fernando Tatis Jr.’s first-inning homer additional fueled an electrical house crowd. The intimidating setting was much like the one Smith-Shawver skilled when he allowed three solo house runs whereas pitching 2 2/3 innings of reduction in Sport 3 of the 2023 NL Division Collection in Philadelphia.
Smith-Shawver has made simply seven profession regular-season appearances. However the former Texas highschool soccer star has gained invaluable expertise whereas pitching in entrance of two raucous postseason crowds.
“Playoff baseball is not like the rest, and you’ll’t put together for it essentially,” Smith-Shawver mentioned. “So, getting that have and getting that beneath my belt now offers me extra of an fringe of figuring out what to anticipate.”
What ought to now be anticipated of Smith-Shawver, who made his MLB debut in 2023, simply three years after opting to start pitching once more earlier than his senior 12 months of highschool? He has a 3.64 profession ERA via 29 1/3 innings.
With Ian Anderson and Holmes each out of choices, Smith-Shawver may not win one of many two accessible rotation spots throughout Spring Coaching. However it appears secure to imagine he’ll be even higher ready when the Braves come calling once more.
“A number of the experiences I’ve had at an early age are actually cool,” Smith-Shawver mentioned. “Not everybody will get to expertise these alternatives. However it doesn’t actually imply something in case you don’t study from it.”
