Braden Shewmake Just Keeps Hanging Around - And the Yankees Can’t Seem to Shake Him
Some players have a way of sticking around - not because they’re lighting up the stat sheet, but because they fill just enough of a need to keep getting another look. For Braves fans, Jesse Chavez became the poster child for that kind of staying power. Braden Shewmake, on the other hand, is carving out a similar legacy in New York, though under very different circumstances.
Shewmake was once a first-round pick - 21st overall in 2019 - out of Texas A&M, drafted by Atlanta with hopes he’d become a reliable everyday shortstop. The glove was never in question.
Even in the minors, Shewmake showed he could handle shortstop at a high level, flashing strong instincts and smooth footwork. But the bat never quite followed.
What looked like promising offensive potential in college didn’t translate to the pro game, and that ultimately led Atlanta to move on.
He was part of the package the Braves sent to the White Sox in the Aaron Bummer trade, and from there, Shewmake’s path has been anything but linear. He bounced around a bit before landing with the Yankees - and somehow, he’s still there.
To the frustration of many Yankees fans, Shewmake has become the player who just won’t go away. Despite being a clear candidate to be cut during multiple roster crunches, he kept surviving.
Most recently, it looked like his time in the Bronx had finally come to an end when the Yankees designated him for assignment. But Shewmake cleared waivers - not a great sign for a shortstop in today’s league - and now he’s still in the organization, just off the 40-man roster and stashed in the minors.
Let’s be clear: if Shewmake were seen as a viable everyday contributor, he wouldn’t have made it through waivers unclaimed. Shortstop depth is always in demand, and the fact that no team took a flier on him says a lot about how he’s currently valued. Still, New York opted to keep him in the system, likely valuing the defensive depth he provides - even if the bat remains a major question mark.
It’s not uncommon for teams to hold onto players like Shewmake, especially when they’re out of minor league options. Roster flexibility matters, and front offices often prefer to keep familiar depth pieces around rather than risk being caught short in a pinch. Shewmake fits that mold perfectly: a glove-first infielder who can fill in if needed, even if the upside is limited.
For Braves fans, Shewmake’s story is already in the rearview mirror. Atlanta gave him a shot, saw what he could do, and made a calculated decision to move on.
But for Yankees fans, the saga rolls on. Whether it’s in spring training, a midseason call-up, or a late-inning defensive substitution, don’t be surprised if Shewmake finds his way back into the conversation.
Sometimes, the most persistent players aren’t the stars - they’re the ones who simply refuse to fade away. Braden Shewmake might not be making headlines, but he’s proving that staying power in baseball doesn’t always come from power numbers. Sometimes, it’s just about being there when teams need a body - and knowing how to stick around when others don’t.