Braden Shewmake

{{Infobox baseball biography

|name = Braden Shewmake

|image = Braden Shewmake (52833990135) (cropped).jpg

|caption = Shewmake with the Gwinnett Stripers in 2023

|image_size = 175

|team = New York Yankees

|number = 89

|position = Shortstop

|birth_date = {{birth date and age|1997|11|19}}

|birth_place = Wylie, Texas, U.S.

|bats = Left

|throws = Right

|debutleague = MLB

|debutdate = May 5

|debutyear = 2023

|debutteam = Atlanta Braves

|statleague = MLB

|statyear = 2024 season

|stat1label = Batting average

|stat1value = .118

|stat2label = Home runs

|stat2value = 1

|stat3label = Runs batted in

|stat3value = 4

|teams =

Atlanta Braves ({{mlby|2023}})
Chicago White Sox ({{mlby|2024}})

}}

Braden Jack Shewmake (born November 19, 1997) is an American professional baseball shortstop for the New York Yankees of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Atlanta Braves and Chicago White Sox. The Braves selected Shewmake with the 21st overall pick in the 2019 MLB draft, and he made his MLB debut with them in 2023.

Amateur career

Shewmake attended and graduated from Wylie East High School in Wylie, Texas, where he played baseball, football, and basketball.{{cite web|url=https://wylienews.com/2015/05/20/building-blocks-for-the-2016-football-season-are-beginning/|title=Building blocks for the 2016 football season are beginning|date=May 21, 2015 |publisher=Wylie News|accessdate=May 30, 2019}}{{cite web|url=https://www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/aggies/article/Aggies-freshman-Braden-Shewmake-a-hitting-machine-11140328.php|title=Aggies freshman Braden Shewmake's game grew from strong Texas roots|date=May 11, 2017 |publisher=Houston Chronicle|accessdate=May 30, 2019}} As a senior, he hit .295 with 28 RBIs and was named to the Texas 5A All-State Baseball Team.{{cite web|url=https://www.theeagle.com/brazos_sports/baseball/college-station-cougars-dot-a-all-state-baseball-team/article_81395888-2916-5515-bae1-bee5d2f25660.html|title=College Station Cougars dot 5A all-state baseball team|publisher=The Eagle|accessdate=April 1, 2019}} Undrafted out of high school in the 2016 Major League Baseball draft, he enrolled at Texas A&M University to play college baseball for the Texas A&M Aggies.

In 2017, as a freshman, Shewmake batted .328 with 11 home runs and 69 RBIs in 64 starts.{{cite web|url=https://www.expressnews.com/sports/college_sports/aggies/article/Aggies-look-for-return-trip-to-CWS-12617773.php|title=Aggies look for return trip to CWS|date=February 15, 2018 |publisher=San Antonio Express-News|accessdate=April 1, 2019}}{{cite web|url=http://www.the3rdmanin.com/mlb-draft-braden-shewmake/|title=Braden Shewmake leans on father for advice|date=January 31, 2019 |publisher=The 3rd Man In|accessdate=May 30, 2019}} He was named the Southeastern Conference (SEC) Freshman of the Year{{cite web|url=http://www.thebatt.com/sports/shewmake-named-sec-freshman-of-the-year-three-other-aggies/article_fdb756b4-3f35-11e7-acbf-e79ce581a26b.html|title=Shewmake named SEC Freshman of the Year, three other Aggies honored

|publisher=The Battalion|accessdate=April 1, 2019}}{{cite web|url=https://www.theeagle.com/aggie_sports/braden-shewmake-ready-to-lead-texas-a-m-baseball-team/article_7ab9e5c8-0326-11e8-88de-63714b5a633e.html|title=Braden Shewmake ready to lead Texas A&M baseball team from new spot at shortstop|publisher=The Eagle|accessdate=May 30, 2019}}{{cite web|url=https://247sports.com/college/texas-am/article/braden-shewmake-named-sec-freshman-of-the-year-other-aggies-awarded-52856498/|title=Shewmake named SEC Freshman of the Year, other Aggies awarded|publisher=247sports.com|access-date=April 1, 2019}} along with being named Collegiate Baseball's Freshman of the Year.{{cite web|url=https://247sports.com/college/texas-am/article/texas-am-baseball-braden-shewmake-named-national-freshman-of-the-year-logan-foster-53073063/|title=A&M's Shewmake named National Freshman of the Year|publisher=247sports.com|access-date=April 1, 2019}} Furthermore, he was named an All-American by multiple media outlets including Collegiate Baseball{{cite web|url=https://www.kbtx.com/content/sports/Shewmake-named-National-Freshman-of-the-Year-Foster-tabbed-Freshman-All-American-427048283.html|title=Shewmake named National Freshman of the Year, Foster tabbed Freshman All-American|date=June 7, 2017 |publisher=KBTX-TV|accessdate=May 30, 2019}} and Baseball America.{{cite web|url=https://www.kbtx.com/content/sports/Shewmake-earns-All-American-status-from-Baseball-America-427300853.html|title=Shewmake earns All-American status from Baseball America|date=June 8, 2017 |publisher=KBTX-TV|accessdate=May 30, 2019}} Shewmake spent that summer playing for the USA Baseball Collegiate National Team.{{cite web|url=https://www.theeagle.com/aggie_sports/shewmake-gets-invitation-to-national-team-training-camp/article_354bdf46-39f5-11e7-a577-533f773294f2.html|title=Shewmake gets invitation to national team training camp|publisher=The Eagle|accessdate=May 30, 2019}} As a sophomore in 2018, Shewmake started all 61 games in which he hit .327 with five home runs, 45 RBIs, and 12 stolen bases.{{cite web|url=https://www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/aggies/article/Texas-A-M-shortstop-Braden-Shewmake-gets-another-13908220.php|title=Texas A&M shortstop Braden Shewmake gets another shot at Omaha|date=May 30, 2019 |publisher=Houston Chronicle|accessdate=May 30, 2019}}{{cite web|url=https://www.kbtx.com/content/sports/Aggie-baseball-to-play-Rice-in-exhibition-game-Friday-498550791.html|title=Aggie baseball to play Rice in exhibition game Friday|date=October 25, 2018 |publisher=KBTX-TV|accessdate=May 30, 2019}} He was named to the All-SEC First Team for the second straight year.{{cite web|url=https://www.kbtx.com/content/sports/2018-SEC-Baseball-Awards-Announced-483239991.html|title=Shewmake, Helman make cut as 2018 SEC Baseball Awards Announced|date=May 21, 2018 |publisher=KBTX-TV|accessdate=April 1, 2019}} That summer, he returned to play for the USA Baseball Collegiate National Team.{{cite web|url=https://www.nola.com/lsu/2018/06/team_lsu_leads_team_usa_to_3-1.html|title=Team LSU leads Team USA to 3-1 victory over Chinese Taipei|publisher=nola.com|accessdate=April 1, 2019}}{{cite web|url=https://www.usabaseball.com/news/shewmake-earns-national-team-invitation/c-271935730?tid=216639934|title=Shewmake Earns National Team Invitation|publisher=USA Baseball|accessdate=May 30, 2019}} In 2019, his junior season, he batted primarily in the leadoff spot. He played in 63 games and batted .313 with six home runs, 47 RBIs, and nine stolen bases.{{Cite web|url=https://247sports.com/college/texas-am/Article/Braden-Shewmake-Texas-AM-MLB-Draft-Atlanta-Braves-First-Round-132544309/|title=A&M's Shewmake selected in first round of MLB Draft|website=Gigem247}}

Professional career

=Atlanta Braves=

Shewmake was considered one of the top prospects for the 2019 Major League Baseball draft.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/milb/prospects/2019|title=MLB.com 2019 Prospect Watch|website=Major League Baseball|access-date=April 2, 2019|archive-date=June 15, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190615113942/http://m.mlb.com/prospects/2019?list=draft|url-status=live}} He was selected by the Atlanta Braves with the 21st overall pick.{{Cite web|url=https://www.chron.com/sports/aggies/article/Texas-A-M-shortstop-Braden-Shewmake-selected-by-13927539.php|title=Texas A&M shortstop Braden Shewmake selected by Braves|first=Matt|last=Wyatt|date=June 4, 2019|website=Chron}} He signed for $3.13 million, and was assigned to the Rome Braves of the Single-A South Atlantic League.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2019/06/braves-sign-first-rounder-braden-shewmake.html|title=Braves Sign First-Rounder Braden Shewmake|website=MLB Trade Rumors}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.sportstalkatl.com/braves-assign-first-round-picks-to-rome/|title=Braves assign first round picks to Rome|first=Chase|last=Irle|date=June 20, 2019|website=SportsTalkATL.com}} After slashing .318/.389/.473 with three home runs, 39 RBIs, and 11 stolen bases over 51 games with Rome, he was promoted to the Mississippi Braves of the Double-A Southern League in August, and finished the season there.{{Cite web|url=https://247sports.com/college/texas-am/Article/-Braden-Shewmake-Atlanta-Braves-AA-Mississippi-Braves-Minor-League-134542481/|title=Rookie Braden Shewmake already promoted to Class AA by Braves|website=Gigem247}} Over 14 games with Mississippi, Shewmake hit .217.{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/braden-shewmake-exceeds-expectations-in-pro-debut/|title=Braden Shewmake Exceeds Expectations In Pro Debut|first=Gabe|last=Burns|website=www.baseballamerica.com}}

Shewmake did not play a minor league game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league season caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/2020-minor-league-baseball-season-canceled|title=2020 Minor League Baseball season canceled|website=MLB.com}} For the 2021 season, he returned to Mississippi (now members of the Double-A South), slashing .228/.271/.401 with 12 home runs and forty RBIs over 83 games.{{Cite web|url=https://www.wlbt.com/2021/05/03/m-braves-release-roster-season/|title=M-Braves release roster for 2021 season|first=Mississippi Braves|last=Information|website=www.wlbt.com|date=May 4, 2021 }} Shewmake was assigned to the Gwinnett Stripers of the Triple-A International League to begin the 2022 season.{{cite web | url=https://www.milb.com/gwinnett/news/atlanta-braves-announce-gwinnett-opening-night-roster | title=Atlanta Braves Announce Gwinnett Opening Night Roster }} In early August, he was placed on the injured list with a left leg injury after being carted off of the field following a collision with left fielder Travis Demeritte, and he missed the remainder of the season.{{cite web | url=https://www.sportstalkatl.com/braves-top-prospect-suffers-potentially-significant-injury/ | title=Braves top prospect suffers potentially significant injury | date=August 8, 2022 }} Over 76 games prior to the injury, he slashed .259/.316/.399 with seven home runs and 25 RBIs.{{cite web | url=https://www.milb.com/player/braden-shewmake-669699 | title=Braden Shewmake Stats, Fantasy & News }}

On November 15, 2022, the Braves selected Shewmake's contract and added him to the 40-man roster to protect him from the Rule 5 draft.{{cite news |last1=Ladson |first1=Bill |title=Braves protect trio ahead of Rule 5 Draft |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/braves-add-braden-shewmake-darius-vines-roddery-munoz-to-roster |access-date=March 26, 2023 |work=MLB.com |date=November 15, 2022}} Shewmake battled with Orlando Arcia and Vaughn Grissom for the starting shortstop job during spring training in 2023. On March 20, Shewmake and Grissom were optioned to Triple-A Gwinnett in favor of Arcia.{{cite news |last1=Bowman |first1=Mark |title=Pair of moves clear way for Arcia's nod at SS |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/braden-shewmake-vaughn-grissom-optioned-to-triple-a |access-date=March 26, 2023 |work=MLB.com |date=March 20, 2023}}{{cite news |title=Braves option Grissom to minors, clearing Arcia to start at SS |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/35906703/braves-option-grissom-minors-clearing-arcia-start-ss |access-date=March 26, 2023 |work=ESPN.com |date=March 20, 2023}}

On May 5, 2023, Shewmake was promoted to the major leagues for the first time, and made his debut later that day against the Baltimore Orioles.{{Cite news |last=Burns |first=Gabriel |title=Braves promote infield prospect Braden Shewmake |language=English |work=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution |url=https://www.ajc.com/sports/atlanta-braves/braves-promote-infield-prospect-braden-shewmake/UMM3NVE3CRBLDK2LVAM5VZSKAY/ |access-date=May 5, 2023 |issn=1539-7459}}{{cite news |last1=Bowman |first1=Mark |title=From diaper duty to The Show: Inside Shewmake's debut |url=https://www.mlb.com/braves/news/braden-shewmake-makes-mlb-debut |access-date=May 7, 2023 |work=MLB.com |date=May 5, 2023}}

In a game against the St. Paul Saints on June 28, 2023, Shewmake hit for the cycle, the first in Gwinnett history.{{cite web | last=Weinrib | first=Ben | title=Braden Shewmake hits for first cycle in Triple-A Gwinnett history | website=MLB.com | date=2023-06-29 | url=https://www.mlb.com/news/braden-shewmake-hits-for-first-cycle-in-triple-a-gwinnett-history | access-date=2025-02-15}}{{Cite news |last=Sports |first=A. J. C. |title=Braves' Braden Shewmake hits for cycle but Gwinnett loses |language=English |work=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution |url=https://www.ajc.com/sports/atlanta-braves/braves-braden-shewmake-hits-for-cycle-but-gwinnett-loses/V7SBFHPT7VD35LAACTT5HUTZOM/ |access-date=June 29, 2023 |issn=1539-7459}}

=Chicago White Sox=

On November 16, 2023, the Braves traded Shewmake to the Chicago White Sox, along with Michael Soroka, Nicky Lopez, Jared Shuster and Riley Gowens for Aaron Bummer.{{Cite web|url=https://www.ajc.com/sports/atlanta-braves/braves-trade-michael-soroka-four-others-to-white-sox-for-reliever-aaron-bummer/BNIUWN3AYFASVO3JXBGQEEJELI/|title=Braves trade Michael Soroka, four others to White Sox for reliever Aaron Bummer|first=Justin|last=Toscano|work=Atlanta Journal-Constitution|date=November 16, 2023|accessdate=November 16, 2023}} He played in 29 games for the White Sox in 2024, batting .125/.134/.203 with one home run, four RBI, and five stolen bases. On January 1, 2025, Shewmake was designated for assignment by Chicago following the acquisition of Tyler Gilbert.{{Cite news |date=2025-01-01 |title=White Sox get LHP Gilbert in trade with Phillies |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/43250414/white-sox-acquire-lhp-tyler-gilbert-trade-phillies |access-date=2025-02-15 |work=ESPN.com|agency=Associated Press |language=en}}

=New York Yankees=

On January 8, 2025, Shewmake was claimed off waivers by the Kansas City Royals.{{Cite web |last=Adams |first=Steve |date=2025-01-08 |title=Royals Claim Braden Shewmake Off Waivers From White Sox |url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/01/royals-claim-braden-shewmake.html |access-date=2025-02-15 |website=MLB Trade Rumors |language=en-US}} He was designated for assignment by the Royals on January 31.{{Cite web |last=Franco |first=Anthony |date=2025-01-31 |title=Royals Designate Braden Shewmake For Assignment |url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/01/royals-designate-braden-shewmake-for-assignment.html |access-date=2025-02-15 |website=MLB Trade Rumors |language=en-US}} On February 5, Shewmake was claimed off waivers by the New York Yankees.{{Cite web |last=Adams |first=Steve |date=2025-02-05 |title=Yankees Claim Braden Shewmake Off Waivers From Royals |url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2025/02/yankees-claim-braden-shewmake-waivers-royals.html |access-date=2025-02-15 |website=MLB Trade Rumors |language=en-US}} He was optioned to the Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders to begin the season.{{Cite web|title=Yankees' Braden Shewmake: Optioned to Triple-A|url=https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/yankees-braden-shewmake-optioned-to-triple-a/|access-date=March 28, 2025|website=cbssports.com|language=en}}

Scouting report

In college, Shewmake was known for his ability to hit to all fields. Sometime after starting his professional career, he focused on pulling the baseball, returning to his collegiate hitting philosophy before the 2023 regular season began.{{cite news |last1=Toscano |first1=Justin |title=These Braves prospects could help the big-league club in 2023 |url=https://www.ajc.com/sports/atlanta-braves/these-braves-prospects-could-help-the-big-league-club-in-2023/52F4HHVIFBHMNIXL6FSYBMKQN4/ |access-date=March 26, 2023 |work=Atlanta Journal Constitution |date=March 24, 2023}} His speed and defensive abilities have also drawn attention.{{cite news |last1=Burns |first1=Gabriel |title=Braves notes: Eli White, Braden Shewmake continue impressing |url=https://www.ajc.com/sports/atlanta-braves/atlanta-braves-notebook-eli-white-braden-shewmake-continue-to-impress/VT6EPCWX6RAO5AXUOMBFYWVZNA/ |access-date=March 26, 2023 |work=Atlanta Journal Constitution |date=March 13, 2023}}

Personal life

Shewmake's father Shane coaches baseball at the University of Texas at Dallas. Shewmake is married to Emily, and their son was born in June 2022.{{cite news |last1=Toscano |first1=Justin |title=Braden Shewmake's son gives him perspective on baseball |url=https://www.ajc.com/sports/atlanta-braves/braden-shewmakes-son-gives-him-perspective-on-baseball/B5VI3CXTHJAZPJWDWFNASTQ4PE/ |access-date=March 26, 2023 |work=Atlanta Journal Constitution |date=February 26, 2023}} Republished by [https://www.leadertelegram.com/sports/mlb/braden-shewmake-s-newborn-son-gives-him-perspective-on-baseball/article_f7273de6-110d-526f-a29e-ae40b23e075b.html The Leader-Telegram]