The Braves are calling candidates Spencer Schwellenbach on his major league debut, Robert Murray of FanSided reports. He will make his big league debut tomorrow. Atlanta will need to officially pick up the contract of Schwellenbach, who is not yet on the 40-man roster. The Braves already have one open 40-man spot and could easily clear another if another move is in the works, as they haven't yet. Ronald Acuna Jr. on the 60-day disabled list after suffering a season-ending knee injury.
A nice early gift for Schwellenbach, who turns 24 on Friday. Selected out of Nebraska with the 59th overall pick in the 2021 draft, the former Cornhusker entered the 2024 season ranked fifth among Braves prospects by Baseball America, third by MLB.com, and second highest according to The Athletic's Keith Law. The former two-way star was a shortstop and closer in his college days, though the Braves moved him into a full-time role and made him a starter. Scouting reports credit Schwellenbach with a heater that can hit up to 98 mph, average or better breaking balls and a solid changeup.
Schwellenbach has done nothing to lower his stock so far in 2024. If anything, it has only improved his standing in the organization and in the game as a whole. The 6'1″, 200-pound righty has started eight games between High-A and Double-A, posting a 1.80 ERA with a 29.1% strikeout rate, a 5.7% walk rate and a . 57.5%. It should be noted that six of those starts came in High-A, where Schwellenbach was older at the level and often faced younger, more inexperienced competition, but it's a remarkable showing for the same.
Part of the reason for the Braves' decision to move Schwellenbach up to High-A is their way of getting him through 2021 Tommy John surgery. The right-hander went under the knife shortly after being drafted and missed the entire 2022 season as a result. He pitched 65 innings between Low-A and High-A last season in his return to the mound, and the Braves at least started the season with a cautious start before injuries to all players spurred what is now an upward trend. leagues.
Atlanta doesn't have one Spencer Strider the rest of the season because of his elbow surgery, and his hope AJ Smith-Shawver just hit the casualty list with a Grade 2 oblique strain. That's right Ian Andersonwho is out from 2023 Tommy John surgery, he still has to keep throwing. Huascar Ynoa is dealing with elbow soreness and is currently on the minor league injured list.
The Braves have other options on the 40-man roster, but none were ranked at this point in the rotation. Bryce Elder I would have rested for three days, while Dylan Dodd he will only rest for two days. Darius the Vines he probably would have been a player if he hadn't been optioned to Triple-A four days ago (thus making him ineligible for another 11 days, unless he's directly replacing an injured player).
Schwellenbach pitched seven shutout innings against the Reds' Double-A affiliate on May 22, so he will be fully rested for tomorrow's MLB start. And since the Braves would have had to add him to the 40-man roster in the offseason — otherwise he would have been eligible for the Rule 5 Draft — they'll take the opportunity to get a first look at the promising young righty against major league opposition. It may be a start, but now that he's on the 40-man roster at a time when the Braves are seeing their first audition, he'll have a chance to be at his best. role during the season.
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