Smith-Shawver looks back on whirlwind final week of '24

NORTH PORT, Fla. -- Exactly one week before starting Game 1 of the National League Wild Card Series in San Diego, AJ Smith-Shawver was among the Braves fans who gathered at Truist Park to watch Spencer Schwellenbach beat the Mets on Sept. 24.

¡°Yeah, that was one of the crazier weeks I¡¯ve had as a professional baseball player,¡± Smith-Shawver said.

Smith-Shawver is a 22-year-old pitcher who was Atlanta's No. 2 prospect in 2024. Braves manager Brian Snitker is entering his 49th season in professional baseball.

¡°I don¡¯t think I¡¯ve ever experienced anything like that,¡± Snitker said.

Smith-Shawver was in the stands as he watched Schwellenbach beat the Mets to open the final homestand. He waited to congratulate his friend while standing outside the home clubhouse, just like the other friends and family members of Atlanta¡¯s players. Rain postponed the final two games of the series, setting up a doubleheader on Sept. 30 that would determine the postseason fates of both the Braves and Mets.

As the Braves played the Royals from Sept. 27-29, Smith-Shawver was back among those who gathered outside the home clubhouse after games. He was there to see his teammates and one of his best friends, Royals star shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. It was during that weekend series that Smith-Shawver learned he might need to transition from fan back to player to start what would be one of Atlanta¡¯s most important games of the season.

¡°Going to the [Sept. 24] game and seeing Spencer throw well, it was cool to be there as a fan,¡± Smith-Shawver said. ¡°Then, you get a call and they say, ¡®Hey, you might have to come pitch in one of the last games of the year.¡¯¡±

Smith-Shawver returned to Truist Park for the Sept. 30 doubleheader against the Mets. He was never activated and actually briefly went home after the first game. But he was then told to return to the field with a suitcase, which he needed after the Braves won the second game to set up a best-of-three Wild Card Series against the Padres in San Diego.

Before Grant Holmes learned he was starting the second game of the doubleheader just 30 minutes prior to the first pitch, the Braves hadn¡¯t revealed the severity of Chris Sale¡¯s sore back. Sale¡¯s inability to pitch opened the door for Smith-Shawver to get the Game 1 start, despite the fact his only MLB appearance last year occurred on May 23. He pitched 4 1/3 strong innings that day at Wrigley Field and then spent two months on the injured list with a left oblique strain.

¡°We fly to San Diego right after the doubleheader, I go to bed, wake up the next day and I get a call from Snit around 11 or 12,¡± Smith-Shawver said. ¡°He¡¯s like, ¡®You¡¯re starting today.' It was kind of a whirlwind. But those are the opportunities you dream about and really want.¡±

¡°I¡¯m sitting there drinking coffee in my hotel room that morning and not even believing we¡¯re there,¡± Snitker said. ¡°So, I can¡¯t even imagine what that kid was feeling.¡±

Smith-Shawver retired just four of the nine batters he faced and allowed three runs on four hits. Fernando Tatis Jr.¡¯s first-inning homer further fueled an electric home crowd. The intimidating setting was similar to the one Smith-Shawver experienced when he allowed three solo home runs while pitching 2 2/3 innings of relief in Game 3 of the 2023 NL Division Series in Philadelphia.

Smith-Shawver has made just seven career regular-season appearances. But the former Texas high school football star has gained invaluable experience while pitching in front of two raucous postseason crowds.

¡°Playoff baseball is unlike anything else, and you can¡¯t prepare for it necessarily,¡± Smith-Shawver said. ¡°So, getting that experience and getting that under my belt now gives me more of an edge of knowing what to expect.¡±

What should now be expected of Smith-Shawver, who made his MLB debut in 2023, just three years after opting to begin pitching again before his senior year of high school? He has a 3.64 career ERA through 29 1/3 innings.

With Ian Anderson and Holmes both out of options, Smith-Shawver might not win one of the two available rotation spots during Spring Training. But it seems safe to assume he¡¯ll be even better prepared when the Braves come calling again.

¡°Some of the experiences I¡¯ve had at an early age are really cool,¡± Smith-Shawver said. ¡°Not everyone gets to experience those opportunities. But it doesn¡¯t really mean anything if you don¡¯t learn from it.¡±