AJ Smith-Shawver Bio
AJ Smith-Shawver is an American professional baseball pitcher who plays for the Atlanta Braves of Major League Baseball. Born on November 20, 2002, in Colleyville, Texas, he made his MLB debut with Atlanta in 2023 after being selected in the seventh round of the 2021 MLB Draft. In just his second major league appearance, Smith-Shawver earned his first career win against the Colorado Rockies and became the youngest Braves pitcher to win a game since 1990, signaling his potential as a future cornerstone of the franchise’s pitching staff.
Early Life and Background
AJ Smith-Shawver grew up in Colleyville, Texas, where he attended Colleyville Heritage High School. During his high school years, he excelled in both baseball and football, demonstrating athletic versatility that drew attention from college programs across the country. As the starting quarterback for Colleyville Heritage, Smith-Shawver passed for 2,616 yards and 25 touchdowns during his senior season, earning All-Area honors from the Dallas Morning News.
On the baseball diamond, Smith-Shawver played third base and batted .344 with 20 RBIs, showcasing his two-way talent. He initially stopped pitching to concentrate on football but continued to develop his skills as a hitter. His outstanding high school career led him to commit to play both college baseball and college football at Texas Tech University, keeping his options open before making his professional decision.
Path to Professional Baseball
Despite his commitment to Texas Tech, Smith-Shawver’s baseball abilities attracted significant interest from MLB scouts. The Atlanta Braves selected him in the seventh round of the 2021 Major League Baseball Draft, and he made the decision to sign with the organization. He received an over-slot signing bonus of $997,500, reflecting the Braves’ belief in his potential as a professional pitcher.
After signing, Smith-Shawver began his professional career with the Rookie-level Florida Complex League Braves, making four appearances to start his development. He spent the 2022 season with the Single-A Augusta GreenJackets, where he focused on refining his craft and developing his slider pitch. The hard work paid off, as he began the 2023 season with the Rome Braves at the High-A level and quickly demonstrated dominant stuff on the mound.
AJ Smith-Shawver Career
Breakthrough to Major League Baseball (2023)
Smith-Shawver’s rapid ascent through the minor leagues caught the attention of Braves management. After just three starts with the Rome Braves, where he threw fourteen scoreless innings with 23 strikeouts while allowing only six hits, he earned a promotion to the Double-A Mississippi Braves. His success continued at the higher level, as he permitted only five hits across seven scoreless innings over two appearances.
His remarkable progression led to a Triple-A debut with the Gwinnett Stripers on May 19, 2023. Less than two weeks later, on May 30, the Atlanta Braves selected his contract and promoted him to the major leagues. Smith-Shawver made his MLB debut on June 4 against the Arizona Diamondbacks, pitching 2 and one-third innings of relief and recording three strikeouts.
He made his first career start on June 9 against the Washington Nationals, yielding two unearned runs across 5 and one-third innings. His breakout moment came on June 15, when he earned his first major league win against the Colorado Rockies. Smith-Shawver allowed six hits and one walk while striking out six batters in 5 and two-thirds innings. With this performance, he became the youngest Braves pitcher to win a game since Steve Avery accomplished the feat on August 24, 1990.
2024 Season and Development
Smith-Shawver entered the 2024 season with increased expectations after his impressive debut campaign. He received an invitation to spring training with the major league club, where he had the opportunity to compete for a spot in the starting rotation. Although he did not make the Opening Day roster, his performance in camp demonstrated his continued growth as a pitcher.
He was optioned to Triple-A Gwinnett to begin the regular season, where he continued to refine his secondary pitches and build consistency in his delivery. The experience gained at the Triple-A level provided valuable repetition as he worked toward becoming a fixture in the Braves’ rotation.
Injury and Surgery (2025)
The 2025 season began with Smith-Shawver showing the best form of his professional career. On May 5, he pitched eight shutout innings in the longest start of his professional career, dominating opposing hitters and not allowing a hit until the top of the eighth inning against Santiago Espinal of the Cincinnati Reds. The performance highlighted his evolution as a starting pitcher and suggested he was ready to take the next step in his development.
However, his season took a significant turn when he was removed from a game on May 29 and placed on the 15-day injured list. Further evaluation revealed a UCL tear in his throwing elbow, and he was subsequently moved to the 60-day injured list. Smith-Shawver underwent Tommy John surgery on June 9, 2025, officially ending his season. The injury marked a challenging setback but also demonstrated the physical demands of being a starting pitcher at the highest level.
Driving Style and Strengths
Smith-Shawver features a mid-90s fastball that generates swing-and-miss capabilities, complemented by a developing slider that became a key secondary weapon during his minor league tenure. His ability to pitch effectively at multiple levels in his first professional seasons demonstrated his adaptability and baseball IQ. As a former quarterback, he possesses competitive drive and the ability to perform under pressure, qualities that translated to his success in high-leverage situations during his debut season.
Notable Events and Milestones
Smith-Shawver’s first career win on June 15, 2023, stands as a defining moment in his young career. Becoming the youngest Braves pitcher to win a game since 1990 placed him in elite company and validated the organization’s investment in his potential. His eight shutout innings on May 5, 2025, represented the best performance of his professional career and offered a glimpse of the pitcher he could become once he returns from Tommy John surgery.
AJ Smith-Shawver Career Statistics
Through the 2025 season, Smith-Shawver has established himself as a reliable member of the Atlanta Braves pitching staff during his time on the mound. His career win-loss record and strikeout totals reflect his effectiveness as a starting pitcher at the major league level.
Major League Baseball Highlights
Smith-Shawver has compiled a 4-2 win-loss record with a 3.77 earned run average and 66 strikeouts across his MLB career. His debut season in 2023 saw him earn three of those wins, including his memorable first career victory against the Colorado Rockies. The combination of his strikeout ability and competitive mound presence has made him a valuable asset for a Braves team seeking young pitching talent to anchor their rotation for years to come.
Minor League Development
Prior to his promotion to the majors, Smith-Shawver demonstrated exceptional talent at every minor league level. His time with the Rome Braves in 2023 proved to be his final developmental stop, as he dominated High-A hitters with a 0.00 ERA across three starts before earning subsequent promotions to Double-A and Triple-A.
| Level | Wins | Losses | ERA | Strikeouts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MLB (2023-2025) | 4 | 2 | 3.77 | 66 |
AJ Smith-Shawver Family
Family Background
AJ Smith-Shawver was raised by his mother Laurie and stepfather Jason in Colleyville, Texas. While in high school, he made the decision to add Shawver to his surname, incorporating his stepfather’s family name as a meaningful part of his identity.
Personal Life
Outside of baseball, Smith-Shawver is in a relationship with Josie Canseco, who is the daughter of former MLB star Jose Canseco. The connection to baseball royalty through his relationship has brought additional attention to his career, though Smith-Shawver has consistently focused on establishing his own legacy within the sport.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season began with tremendous promise for Smith-Shawver, who showed the results of offseason preparation and continued development. His eight shutout innings against the Cincinnati Reds on May 5 represented the pinnacle of his early season form, as he consistently located his pitches and generated weak contact from opposing hitters. The performance drew praise from coaches and teammates alike, with many viewing it as evidence that he was ready for an expanded role in the Braves rotation.
The injury that ultimately ended his season occurred just weeks after his dominant outing, highlighting the unpredictable nature of professional baseball. The Tommy John surgery on June 9 marked the beginning of a lengthy rehabilitation process that will keep him off the mound for the remainder of the 2025 season and likely into 2026. Despite the setback, Smith-Shawver has shown resilience throughout his career, and the Braves remain committed to his long-term development as a key piece of their pitching future.