‘Starting vacancy’ ATL, ‘Second mustache?’ → ’21-year-old rookie sortie’

The Atlanta Braves, who left the left-handed ace and the king of many wins at the same time, take out a new weapon and aim for the same effect as last year’s Spencer Strider (25).

Atlanta will have three home matches against the Washington Nationals at True East Park in Atlanta, Georgia, USA from the 10th (hereinafter Korean time) to the 12th.

The starting pitcher in the first game of this three-game series was right-handed AJ Smith-Shaver (21), who made his major league debut against the Arizona Diamondbacks on the 5th.

Smith-Shaver was a 7th round pick by Atlanta in the 2021 draft, and has a 1.09 ERA in three minor leagues this season.먹튀검증

Accordingly, Atlanta called up Smith-Shaver to the major leagues this month, and after making a relief mound in one game, immediately entrusted him with the important role of starting pitcher.

Smith-Shaver throws an excellent four-seam fastball and slider, and has an average changeup and control. It is evaluated that he can become a starting pitcher if his command improves.

His most notable was his strikeout rate per 9 innings pitched. He is 17.3 in Rookie League in 2021, 13.5 in singles in 2022, and 12.3 in three minor league leagues this season.

In addition, against Arizona on the 5th, his major league debut, he pitched 2 1/3 innings and gained momentum with no hits and no runs and 3 strikeouts.

At the time, Smith-Shaver threw a four-seam fastball with a high of 97.1 mph and an average of 94.5 mph. This ball is evaluated as having a cut fastball movement.

Atlanta would have pushed for Smith-Shaver’s starting transition in anticipation of another Strider. Strider hit the jackpot last year after switching from relief to starter.

Attention is focusing on whether Smith-Shaver, who has just turned 20, will be able to revitalize the Atlanta starting lineup, which has been left empty due to the departure of Max Fried and Kyle Wright.

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