The Braves have gotten a few big-time midseason additions from their farm, most notably in the form of Michael Harris II, who won NL Rookie of the Year last year, Spencer Strider, who finished right behind him, and Vaughn Grissom. Could they get another spark from Gwinnett?
Braden Shewmake’s numbers over his last five games at Gwinnett:
10-for-21, 3 2B, 2 HR, 3 RBI, 2 BB, 5 K, 5 SB
.476/.522/.905
After stealing a total of 26 bases over the first three years of his career, he already has eight this season and is 17/17 since the start of 2022.
— Matt Chrietzberg (@BravesMattC) April 24, 2023
There’s a reason to throw on the brakes here, most of it having to do with sample size. We got reports that Shewmake had a shot to be Atlanta’s opening day starter at shortstop, but he and his competitor Vaughn Grissom were optioned to AAA in favor of Orlando Arcia, who had been performing well before suffering a micro-fracture in his wrist. Now, Shewmake has a potential opening with tons of injuries and poor production in Atlanta’s lineup.
Most of the woes Atlanta is dealing with come from the DH and left field spots, where Shewmake would undoubtedly be able to fill in. Still, he’s not guaranteed to come up and hit like some of the other guys — he had his struggles in AAA last year.
I don’t think the Braves will look to push him quickly, but if they continue to lose games due to the offense, I think he could get a look. I don’t know how much longer Marcell Ozuna will receive opportunities, and guys are going to get healthy, but Braden Shewmake is making a case for getting his first call up to the majors.
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Photo: David J. Griffin/Icon Sportswire
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