MLB Rumors: 4 Braves players who could be traded before Opening Day
By Mark Powell
2. Braves can trade top prospect AJ Smith-Shawver
Smith-Shawver is the Braves best prospect and arguably a lock to start the season in their rotation or bullpen. Smith-Shawver is the rare 21-year-old who can be trusted to contribute to a World Series-level roster. As MLB Pipeline notes, Smith-Shawver already has two electric out pitches in his fastball and slider. The next step in his development will be adding some secondary pitches he can count on:
"Smith-Shawver is big and projectable and already has an electric fastball-slider combination. His heater sits in the mid-90s and touches 98 mph, with a ton of run and life. His slider flashes plus at 88-92 mph and has the chance to be a special out pitch. There’s some feel for his changeup, but he hasn’t thrown it a ton, and it’s behind the other two pitches. He once had a curve but didn’t use it at all last year."
Smith-Shawver would be the essential prospect piece in any trade for Dylan Cease or Corbin Burnes, if the Braves were to make such a deal. However, Smith-Shawver has the potential to be that productive himself one day. It's a tough conundrum for Anthopoulos, who has time to wait given the state of the current rotation. Spencer Strider and Fried can hold it down and then some.