Smith-Shawver earns his first MLB win ... at age 20

ATLANTA -- AJ Smith-Shawver only learned of Steve Avery a few days ago. But two starts into his big league career, the Braves hurler already finds himself linked to Avery, the former great who many projected would be the best among Atlanta's young 1990s pitching core that included John Smoltz and Tom Glavine.

Smith-Shawver is two years removed from high school and a little more than two months removed from the High-A level. But he showed great poise as he guided the Braves toward an 8-3 win over the Rockies on Thursday night and became the youngest Atlanta pitcher to earn a win since Avery on Aug. 24, 1990.

Asked if his teammates provided a nice celebration, Smith-Shawver, “Yeah, a little something, something.”

Michael Tonkin had no reason to shy away from the celebratory shower he received, either, after earning his first save in 157 career appearances. But it was easy to understand why Smith-Shawver might not be comfortable talking about being showered with beer or champagne. He is still five months from being of legal drinking age.

But like Avery nearly 33 years ago, Smith-Shawver is enjoying success at a very young age. Smith-Shawver (20 years, 207 days) is just a few months older than Avery (20 years, 132 days) was when he earned the last of his three wins in 1990.

“He’s doing great,” Tonkin said. “He just needs to keep doing what he’s doing. He’s a big leaguer.”

Smith-Shawver gave up three runs over 5 2/3 innings to the Rockies. The results might not have been as good as they were on June 9, when he allowed the Nationals just two unearned runs over 5 1/3 innings. But his stuff and approach seemed more impressive.

Smith-Shawver’s fastball touched 95.8 mph and averaged 93 mph during his 86-pitch outing on June 9. He caused six whiffs on 37 swings the Nationals took.

Against the Rockies, his fastball touched 96.8 mph and averaged 94.5 mph during his 99-pitch effort. He induced a whiff with 17 of the 55 swings the Rockies took.

“I didn't think I had my best stuff my first start,” Smith-Shawver said. “I definitely felt more comfortable during this start.”

Smith-Shawver’s journey to the big leagues has been well-chronicled. By now, everyone knows he started pitching regularly just three years ago, began this year at the High-A level and had totaled just 110 innings and 28 starts before rising to the Majors at the end of May.

But now it’s all about proving whether he is worthy of sticking at the big league level. He was effective as he worked into the sixth inning on Thursday and then handed the ball to Tonkin, who closed the game with six strikeouts over 3 1/3 scoreless innings.

To truly appreciate the contributions made by these two pitchers, it’s best to remember the Braves played a doubleheader in Detroit on Wednesday and lost Jesse Chavez, one of their top relievers, to a left shin contusion. Dylan Dodd then lasted just four innings when he made a spot start in the nightcap.

Consequently, Atlanta manager Brian Snitker entered this series opener knowing he couldn’t use Joe Jiménez, A.J. Minter and Collin McHugh. Chavez’s roster replacement, Ben Heller, hasn’t pitched in the Majors since 2020 and his flight didn’t arrive in Atlanta until approximately 5 p.m. ET on Thursday.

So, it’s safe to say that Snitker appreciated Smith-Shawver taking care of all but 10 outs, especially after minimizing damage in a 35-pitch fifth inning. He finished that frame by making Elias Díaz look silly while swinging over a full-count changeup. He then got two quick outs in the sixth before exiting to a standing ovation.

“I think he motioned for one more hitter and I probably should have given it to him,” Snitker said.

In other words, Smith-Shawver earned some more confidence in this latest outing.

“I thought he stepped on the gas a little more than he had,” Snitker said. “I thought he was a little careful [on Friday]. You’re probably going to see that as he gets more confidence and experience. I think there’s even more in there.”