AJ Smith-Shawver Bio
AJ Smith-Shawver, born on November 20, 2002, is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Atlanta Braves of Major League Baseball (MLB). He made his MLB debut in 2023 and quickly drew attention for becoming the youngest Braves pitcher to win a game since 1990. Raised in Colleyville, Texas, he attended Colleyville Heritage High School, where he excelled in both baseball and football. Drafted by the Braves in 2021, Smith-Shawver rose rapidly through the minor leagues, showcasing impressive skills on the mound and a strong competitive drive that defined his path to the majors.
Early Life and Background
AJ Smith-Shawver was born and raised in Colleyville, Texas, where he grew up in a supportive household with his mother, Laurie, and his stepfather, Jason. While in high school, he added Shawver to his surname, becoming AJ Smith-Shawver. His upbringing in Colleyville exposed him to a strong athletic community, and he took advantage of the local sports scene from a young age, developing the physical and mental toughness that would later define his pitching career.
At Colleyville Heritage High School, Smith-Shawver was a two-sport standout in both baseball and football. He served as Colleyville Heritage’s starting quarterback and passed for 2,616 yards and 25 touchdowns as a senior, briefly stepping away from pitching to focus on football. As a baseball player, he was named All-Area by the Dallas Morning News as a third baseman after batting .344 with 20 RBIs. His versatility on the field and his competitive nature made him a sought-after recruit, and he committed to play both college baseball and college football at Texas Tech University.
Path to Professional Baseball
Smith-Shawver’s path to professional baseball began when the Atlanta Braves selected him in the seventh round of the 2021 Major League Baseball draft. He chose to sign with the Braves, forgoing his commitment to Texas Tech, and received an over-slot signing bonus of $997,500. The signing signaled the Braves’ strong belief in his potential as a future major league pitcher. After signing, he was assigned to the Rookie-level Florida Complex League Braves, where he made four appearances to begin his professional development.
During his early minor league assignments, Smith-Shawver focused on refining his pitch repertoire, particularly his slider. He spent the 2022 season with the Single-A Augusta GreenJackets, continuing to build his skills and gain valuable experience. The following year, he began the 2023 season with the Rome Braves at the High-A level, where he made three starts, throwing fourteen scoreless innings with four walks and 23 strikeouts while yielding just six hits. His dominant performance earned him quick promotions to the Mississippi Braves at the Double-A level and then to the Gwinnett Stripers at the Triple-A level, setting the stage for his major league call-up.
AJ Smith-Shawver Career
Minor League Development (2021–2023)
Smith-Shawver’s minor league career progressed rapidly across multiple levels of the Braves’ farm system. After starting at the Rookie-level Florida Complex League in 2021, he advanced to Single-A Augusta in 2022, where he continued to develop his slider and refine his command on the mound. His work ethic and performance drew praise from the Braves’ coaching staff, and he entered 2023 as one of the organization’s most promising young arms.
In 2023, Smith-Shawver opened the season with the Rome Braves and quickly proved he was ready for a bigger challenge. His three starts at High-A produced fourteen scoreless innings with 23 strikeouts, earning him a promotion to the Mississippi Braves at the Double-A level. He responded with five hits allowed in seven scoreless innings over two appearances before making his Triple-A debut with the Gwinnett Stripers on May 19, 2023. His swift climb through three levels in a single season established him as a top prospect in the Braves organization.
MLB Debut and First Win (2023)
On May 30, 2023, the Braves selected Smith-Shawver’s contract and promoted him to the major leagues for the first time. He made his MLB debut on June 4 against the Arizona Diamondbacks, pitching 2+1/3 innings of relief while recording three strikeouts and one walk. The appearance marked the culmination of his rapid rise through the minor leagues and gave the Braves a glimpse of his potential as a future rotation piece.
Smith-Shawver made his first major league start on June 9 against the Washington Nationals, yielding two unearned runs on three hits in 5+1/3 innings. Less than a week later, on June 15, he earned his first MLB win, giving up six hits and one walk with six strikeouts in 5+2/3 innings against the Colorado Rockies. With that victory, he became the youngest Braves pitcher to win a game since Steve Avery on August 24, 1990, a milestone that highlighted his bright future in Atlanta.
Atlanta Braves Era (2023–Present)
Following his standout debut, Smith-Shawver was optioned back to Triple-A Gwinnett on June 26, 2023, as the Braves made room on the roster for relief pitcher Dereck Rodriguez. He returned to spring training before the 2024 regular season, but did not make the club and was optioned to Gwinnett to continue his development. Throughout these transitions, he remained a highly regarded prospect within the organization.
The 2025 season brought renewed opportunity and a career-defining moment for Smith-Shawver. On May 5, 2025, he pitched eight shutout innings in the longest start of his professional career, not yielding a hit until the top of the eighth inning to Santiago Espinal of the Cincinnati Reds. However, on May 29, he was removed from a game and placed on the 15-day injured list. He was later moved to the 60-day injured list and diagnosed with a UCL tear, undergoing Tommy John surgery on June 9, which officially ended his 2025 season.
Driving Style and Strengths
Smith-Shawver is known for his composure on the mound and his ability to generate swings and misses with a developing slider that became a focal point of his pitch development in the minor leagues. His minor league track record demonstrated strong strikeout numbers, including twenty-three strikeouts in fourteen scoreless innings at the High-A level in 2023. His poise during his first MLB win, in which he struck out six batters against the Colorado Rockies, reflected his confidence in high-pressure situations.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the most significant milestones of Smith-Shawver’s young career came on June 15, 2023, when he became the youngest Braves pitcher to win a game since Steve Avery in 1990. His eight shutout innings against the Cincinnati Reds on May 5, 2025, stood as the longest start of his professional career. These moments underscored his potential as a future cornerstone of the Braves’ pitching staff.
AJ Smith-Shawver Career Highlights
Smith-Shawver’s career highlights center on his rapid ascent through the Atlanta Braves organization and his historic MLB debut in 2023. Through the 2025 season, his MLB statistics include a 4–2 win–loss record, a 3.77 earned run average, and 66 strikeouts. His first MLB win against the Colorado Rockies on June 15, 2023, remains a defining moment of his early professional career.
MLB Milestones
Smith-Shawver’s most notable MLB achievements include his debut on June 4, 2023, and his first win on June 15, 2023, when he became the youngest Braves pitcher to win a game since 1990. His eight shutout innings on May 5, 2025, marked the longest start of his professional career. Unfortunately, his 2025 season was cut short by a UCL tear that required Tommy John surgery on June 9.
AJ Smith-Shawver Family
Family Background and Personal Life
AJ Smith-Shawver was raised by his mother, Laurie, and his stepfather, Jason. While in high school, he added Shawver to his surname, reflecting the family structure that supported his athletic development. His upbringing in Colleyville, Texas, provided a strong foundation for his two-sport career in high school and his eventual path to professional baseball.
Personal Life
Smith-Shawver is currently in a relationship with Josie Canseco, the daughter of former MLB star Jose Canseco. The couple has been public about their relationship, and Canseco has been a visible presence in Smith-Shawver’s life as he navigates the early stages of his major league career.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season represented a turning point for Smith-Shawver, as he began to establish himself as a reliable contributor in the Braves’ pitching staff. His start on May 5, 2025, against the Cincinnati Reds, in which he pitched eight shutout innings and did not allow a hit until the eighth, was the longest outing of his professional career and a clear sign of his growing maturity on the mound. The performance placed him firmly in the conversation as a rising young arm for Atlanta.
However, his momentum was interrupted on May 29, 2025, when he was removed from a game and placed on the 15-day injured list. He was later transferred to the 60-day injured list after being diagnosed with a UCL tear, and he underwent Tommy John surgery on June 9, 2025, officially ending his season. The injury was a setback, but his pre-injury performance gave the Braves strong reason to view him as a key part of their future rotation plans.
Looking ahead, Smith-Shawver’s recovery from Tommy John surgery will be a focal point of the Braves’ developmental plans. His track record through the 2025 season, including a 4–2 record, a 3.77 ERA, and 66 strikeouts, underscored his potential as a long-term contributor. Once he returns to full health, he is expected to resume his role in the Braves’ pitching staff and continue building on the foundation he established in his first two major league seasons.
