One of the most gratifying things about spring training for general managers is when a player on your team exceeds expectations. It could be a veteran who had been in decline before an unlikely resurgence. It could be a prospect who wasn’t on your radar to make the team out of spring training and suddenly has a shot. It could even be a role player who has made significant adjustments that you weren’t expecting and now could get increased playing time.
I reached out to decision-makers with all 30 teams to identify one player on their club who is turning heads during spring training. Here’s what they said, along with my thoughts on each player.
NL East
AJ Smith-Shawver, pictured this spring, posted a 4.26 ERA in six appearances with the Braves last season. (Kim Klement Neitzel / USA Today)Smith-Shawver is the Braves’ best pitching prospect, and they thought so highly of him that they pushed him last year to the majors, where he made five starts and one relief appearance at 20 years old. He received that promotion after posting a 2.76 ERA over 15 starts in the minors with 79 strikeouts in 62 innings. Smith-Shawver’s command and control, which have been his biggest issues, are starting to improve thanks to adjustments with his delivery. He’ll probably start the season in Triple A but gives the Braves a solid option if and when injuries arise in the rotation.
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