The Atlanta Braves are calling up pitching prospect Spencer Schwellenbach, the team’s No. 3 prospect for his major league debut, Robert Murray of FanSided reports. Schwellenbach’s promotion comes at a time when the Braves are facing serious injuries. Ronald Acuna Jr. is out for the season and AJ Smith-Shawver was diagnosed with a Grade 2 oblique strain last week. The No. 1 prospect in the Braves prospect system will be out for the next six to eight weeks. Schwellenbach, 23, is being called up straight from Double-A Mississippi after two starts at that level.
Schwellenbach was in Atlanta’s clubhouse on Tuesday, throwing a bullpen session at Triple-A Gwinnett in between.
“I was not expecting it,” Schwellenbach said to MLB.com. “I was totally taken off guard and very happy about it.”
The #Braves today selected RHP Spencer Schwellenbach to the major league roster after optioning RHP Jimmy Herget to Triple-A Gwinnett following last night’s game.
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) May 29, 2024
Braves Prospect Spencer Schwellenbach Earns Promotion
Schwellenbach, who turns 24 on Friday, was the 59th selection in the 2021 MLB Draft out of Nebraska. The former two-way star was a shortstop and closer in his college playing days. But the Braves have since moved him to pitching full-time, settling into a starting role. Scouting reports see Schwellenbach as a pitcher who hits up to 98 mph with his fastball that pairs with breaking balls and a solid changeup.
“He’s a college guy who’s gotten results,” manager Brian Snitker said. “It’s attractive when you get guys out. That’s the way you get noticed.”
Between High-A and Double-A, Schwellenbach posted a 1.80 ERA with a 29.1 percent strikeout rate, 5.7 percent walk rate and a strong 57.5 percent ground-ball rate. Six of his starts came from High-A, where Schwellenbach was up against young, less-experienced hitters. A reason why the Braves put Schwellenbach at High-A comes from his 2021 Tommy John surgery rehab, missing the entire 2022 season. In his return to the mound last season, he threw 65 innings between Low-A and High-A.
The Braves Got a Look At Him During Spring Training
During this year’s Spring Breakout, the Braves kept a close eye on Schwellenbach who’s since put up strong numbers dating back to his pro debut last year. In two minor league seasons, Schwellenbach is 9-3 with a 2.21 ERA and 106 strikeouts in 110 innings over 24 starts.
“I think when I wake up tomorrow it’s going to set in,” Schweelenbach said. “I’ve only pitched [about] 100 innings in the minors. I was just trying to get my reps in, get my pitches in, and work on recovering good. Now I’m here and I can’t be happier about it.”
The Braves are without Spencer Strider for the remainder of the season due to his elbow surgery. Ian Anderson is still recovering from his 2023 elbow surgery and has yet to resume pitching. Huascar Ynoa is dealing with elbow soreness who’s on the minor league injured list. Atlanta does have other options on the 40-man roster, but no one is lined up with this spot in the rotation. Bryce Elder is on three days of rest and Dylan Dodd is on two days of rest. Darius Vines would have been a candidate to start, but he was optioned to Triple-A over the weekend.
Main Photo: © Kyle Ross-USA TODAY Sports
