Shocking: Two braves players fallen

Hurston Waldrep and AJ Smith-Shawver were two of the Braves’ prospects that were listed on almost every top 100 prospect list heading into the season. Less than two months ago, both were in the top 50 according to Baseball America. Waldrep finished at #49 and Smith-Shawver at #42. But both have now dropped slightly outside of the top 50 following a few erratic beginnings to the year. With Waldrep just behind him at #68, Smith-Shawver is currently placed 66th.

They did had some forgettable starts to the season, but that’s probably more due to those behind them doing well early in the season than it is to the Braves top prospects faltering. In his first three innings of the season, Smith-Shawver gave up six earned runs on six hits and four walks, while Waldrep gave up 10 earned runs in his first seven innings pitched on 15 hits and five walks.

But lately, both have allayed any worries. Smith-Shawver is coming off a five-strike, scoreless-inning stint in which he gave up only three hits and a walk while striking out five. In his previous 14.2 innings, he has given up just four runs. Hurston Waldrep, who just finished 5.2 innings with five strikeouts and no earned runs allowed, is also coming off of his best outing of the year. Just two earned runs have he given up in his last 17.2 innings of work.

By a wide margin, Smith-Shawver and Waldrep continue to be the Braves system’s two most interesting arms. Particularly Smith-Shawver, both might have significant roles in Atlanta as early as this season. These early-season setbacks, meanwhile, serve as a warning to lower expectations. These two pitchers have a ton of raw talent and are quite young. Before we see them move on to the next phase, the tools must be honed. You can learn from adversity, especially the way they have recently handled it.

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Braves turn to face Glasnow in an even series behind Elder

In game two, Bryce Elder and the Braves will face Tyler Glasnow and the Dodgers in an uphill battle.

In what appears to be a very unfair pitching duel between Atlanta’s Bryce Elder and Los Angeles’ Tyler Glasnow, Elder will take the mound. With his high-velocity combination of four-seamer, slider, and curveball, Glasnow has been among the league’s finest pitchers this season. With Elder on the mound, Atlanta’s struggling offense may have to carry the game, making this particularly difficult for them. Strangely, despite having a whiff percentage of around 40%, Glasnow’s slider is his most hittable pitch in history. His strongest pitch, however, is his curveball, which has a whiff rate of 50% and very little damage done against it. It is also his most powerful throw.

The potent attack of the Dodgers will require Elder to be at the top of his game. Given the stark difference in pitching, Atlanta will be the obvious underdog in this match. Because of the pitching duel, the Dodgers’ skill level, the fact that the game is in Los Angeles, and their struggling offense, the Braves may be the least favored team in all of the season according to betting odds. Although Bryce has only allowed two runs in 12.0 innings this season, he has only recorded six strikeouts and four walks (all in his most recent outing). Observing Elder in comparison to the Dodgers’ talented hitters makes me very anxious.

The bats have been well below average for a while now, especially at the top with Acuna, Riley, and Olson, despite having the most talented offense. Riley has appeared to be the most likely to emerge from his slump, exhibiting frequent loud contact, while Acuna has occasionally shown signs of vitality of her own. Hopefully, Riley and Acuna can improve on their home runs from last night, which they both hit.