Our Atlanta Braves insider Grant McAuley told The Morning Shift earlier today that he thinks the Braves number four overall prospect, AJ Smith Shawver, probably would’ve made his major league debut against the Oakland Athletics if that series would’ve gone the way most Braves fans thought that series was going to go.
However, while Grant doesn’t guarantee that Shawver will make his debut against the Diamondbacks McAuley says “I would expect to see him soon.” With Dylan Lee and Michael Tonkin on the injured list, Grant believes AJ could come in and provide a little long relief and be a “multiple inning guy”out of the Braves bullpen when necessary.
“I think AJ [Smith Shawver] could kind of fit in to that mold where if they need somebody to get them five, six, maybe seven outs you can look at somebody with this kind of stuff and feel like he has what it takes to compete at the big league level, so i’m excited to see him and hopefully it’s sooner than later.” McAuley said.
A guy who can come in throw mid 90’s, with a very nice breaking ball, and swing and miss stuff is always needed in any major league bullpen, and that is exactly what the Braves are getting in Smith Shawver, so when the rookie does make his highly anticipated debut he should be a much needed shot in the arm for the Braves bullpen.
