AJ Smith-Shawver, a guy who’s had a super rough 2026 season as a starter with a brutal 6.92 ERA over 26 innings, just showed up in a completely different way for the Atlanta Braves. On Sunday against the Houston Astros, this young right-hander came out of the bullpen and absolutely DEALING, throwing two scoreless innings, giving up just one hit, and striking out four batters. That’s a performance that makes you hit rewind.
That Fastball Was ON FIRE
The biggest eye-opener? His fastball was absolutely flying. Smith-Shawver topped out at an insane 100.3 mph, followed by pitches at 99.9 and 99.4 mph. We’re talking serious heat here! This is a completely different look from his starter days, where he’d clocked 20 strikeouts over five starts trying to pace himself. Out of the bullpen, he attacked hitters, dropping four strikeouts on just 34 pitches. That kind of high-end velocity is the game-changer for a playoff run. Starters gotta manage their energy, but a reliever can just go for it, unleashing everything they’ve got in a short burst. And man, did he unleash it.
A New Weapon for October?
This isn’t about Smith-Shawver suddenly becoming a traditional closer. Nah, his value is way more interesting than that. Braves manager Walt Weiss now has another multi-inning option, a guy who can bridge the gap between their starters and those late-inning relievers when things get tight. He proved it big time Sunday, coming in after Victor Mederos escaped a bases-loaded mess and shutting down Houston for the next two frames. The Braves eventually won that game 4-2, which officially clinched them the NL East! They’re sitting at 92-64, locking up their seventh division title in nine years. While Smith-Shawver’s overall numbers still scream caution, this one outing is undeniable proof that his pure power can absolutely dominate in shorter appearances.
If this version of AJ Smith-Shawver keeps showing up, the Braves are heading into October with a seriously unexpected weapon in their bullpen. Imagine that kind of gas coming at you when the stakes are highest. The rest of the league better be ready.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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