Dansby Swanson

Dansby Swanson
Swanson with the Atlanta Braves in 2016 spring training
Atlanta Braves – No. 7
Shortstop
Born: (1994-02-11) February 11, 1994
Kennesaw, Georgia
Bats: Right Throws: Right
MLB debut
August 17, 2016, for the Atlanta Braves
MLB statistics
(through September 20, 2018)
Batting average .244
Home runs 23
Runs batted in 127
Teams
Medals
Men's baseball
Representing  United States
Haarlem Baseball Week
2014 Haarlem Team

James Dansby Swanson (born February 11, 1994) is an American professional baseball shortstop for the Atlanta Braves of Major League Baseball (MLB). Swanson attended Vanderbilt University and played college baseball for the Vanderbilt Commodores. The Arizona Diamondbacks selected him first overall in the 2015 Major League Baseball draft, and traded him to the Braves during the 2015–16 offseason.

Amateur career

Swanson was born on February 11, 1994 in Kennesaw, Georgia, to parents Cooter and Nancy (née Dansby) Swanson.[1] Swanson grew up in Marietta with two older siblings, sister Lindsey and brother Chase.[2] Both his father and brother played college baseball, while his mother played collegiate basketball and tennis. Swanson's sister was a softball player.[3] Dansby attended Marietta High School, where he played basketball and baseball.[4] As a child, Swanson became a fan of professional sports teams based in Atlanta, among them Major League Baseball's Braves, the National Football League's Falcons, and the National Basketball Association's Hawks.[5][6][7] He was drafted by the Colorado Rockies in the 38th round of the 2012 Major League Baseball Draft, but did not sign and attended Vanderbilt University.[8] As a freshman, he played in only 11 games due to a broken bone in his foot and a torn labrum in his non throwing shoulder.[9] As a sophomore in 2014, he was named All-Southeastern Conference.[10] After the Commodores beat the Virginia Cavaliers in the 2014 College World Series, he was named the College World Series Most Outstanding Player.[11][12] He was a finalist for the 2015 Golden Spikes Award, presented annually to the nation's top college player.[13]

Professional career

Arizona Diamondbacks

The Arizona Diamondbacks selected Swanson with the first overall selection of the 2015 Major League Baseball Draft.[14] Swanson signed with the Diamondbacks, receiving a $6.5 million signing bonus.[15][16] While batting in a simulated game against Yoan López in July 2015, Swanson was hit in the face with a pitch.[17] The injury delayed his professional debut, which took place on August 12, 2015, with the Hillsboro Hops of the Class A-Short Season Northwest League.[18] Swanson played in 22 games in his first professional season and finished with a .289 batting average, one home run, fourteen walks, and eleven RBIs.[19][20]

Atlanta Braves

On December 9, 2015, the Diamondbacks traded Swanson, Ender Inciarte, and Aaron Blair to the Atlanta Braves for Shelby Miller and Gabe Speier.[21] The Braves invited Swanson to spring training,[22] and he was sent to the Carolina Mudcats of the Class A-Advanced Carolina League at the end of spring training.[23] Swanson was promoted to the Mississippi Braves of the Class AA Southern League on April 30, 2016, after hitting .333/.441/.526 in 21 appearances at Carolina.[24] On June 28, he was named to appear in the All-Star Futures Game, soon after having played the Southern League All-Star Game.[25][26] On August 16, the Braves announced that Swanson would be promoted to the major leagues the next day.[27][28] Upon his callup, Swanson was assigned jersey #2.[29][30] On August 17, he went 2-4 in his MLB debut, including his first career hit off of Minnesota Twins pitcher Kyle Gibson.[31] Swanson hit an inside-the-park home run against the Washington Nationals on September 6, his team's first such home run since 2001.[32] With the hit, Swanson followed Paul Runge as the second Brave to make an inside-the-park home run his first career home run.[33] Swanson finished the year at the major league level, recording a .302 batting average, .361 on-base percentage and a .803 on-base plus slugging percentage.[29][30]

Prior to the start of the 2017 season, Swanson announced that he would again wear his college uniform number, 7. He had been assigned 2 because Gordon Beckham was wearing 7 at the time of Swanson's call-up in August 2016. Beckham was later traded, leaving 7 available.[29][30] Swanson struggled at the plate, recording a .185 batting average through May. Though he improved in June, Swanson had become the backup to Johan Camargo by the All-Star break. Swanson was subsequently sent down to the Gwinnett Braves on July 26, where he was expected to play every day.[34][35] Swanson was recalled by the Braves on August 9 following an injury to Camargo.[36]

On May 4, 2018, Swanson was placed on the 10-day disabled list due to a left wrist strain.[37] He returned to action on May 19, in a game against the Miami Marlins.[38] Swanson again struggled throughout much of the season. From June 1 to August 21, 2018, he hit .229 with a .671 OPS.[39] Swanson widened his batting stance in August, and began hitting with increased power.[40] His offensive production lessened in September.[41][42] On September 26, Swanson was injured during an at-bat against New York Mets pitcher Noah Syndergaard.[41] The next day, he was diagnosed with a torn ligament in his left hand.[43] Swanson was left off the National League Division Series roster due to his injury.[44]

References

  1. ↑ "Atlanta Braves give Turner Field a rousing send-off in final game". ESPN.com. Associated Press. October 2, 2016. Retrieved October 3, 2016.
  2. ↑ Sparks, Adam (June 4, 2015). "Dansby Swanson: Vanderbilt's big-league character". The Tennessean. Retrieved January 17, 2016.
  3. ↑ Boone, Tony (June 11, 2015). "Vandy's dandy: 2014 CWS star Dansby Swanson returns to Omaha as MLB's top draft choice". Omaha World Herald. Retrieved July 5, 2016.
  4. ↑ Santos, Ana (December 10, 2015). "Former high school coach on Dansby Swanson: 'That's the dream'". Atlanta Journal Constitution. Retrieved January 17, 2016.
  5. ↑ Greene, Adam (May 5, 2016). "Dansby Swanson has chance to become hometown hero". Knoxville News-Sentinel. Retrieved July 5, 2016 – via Columbia Daily Herald.
  6. ↑ Wild, Danny (January 29, 2016). "Prospect Q&A: Swanson reflects on trade". MILB.com. Retrieved July 5, 2016.
  7. ↑ Moore, Terence (January 28, 2017). "Swanson quickly becoming likeable, rising superstar". MLB.com. Retrieved January 29, 2017.
  8. ↑ Simon, Andrew. "Draft profile: Dansby Swanson". MLB.com. Retrieved January 17, 2016.
  9. ↑ Cooper, Josh (February 13, 2014). "Vanderbilt baseball counting big on injury-plagued Dansby Swanson". The Tennessean. Retrieved June 9, 2015.
  10. ↑ "Four Commodores earn All-SEC honors". vucommodores.com. Retrieved June 9, 2015.
  11. ↑ Olson, Eric. "Marietta s Swanson named top player as Vanderbilt wins first men s championship". Marietta Daily Journal. Associated Press. Retrieved June 9, 2015.
  12. ↑ Nyatawa, Jon. "Vanderbilt's Swanson named most outstanding player". Omaha World Herald. Retrieved June 9, 2015.
  13. ↑ Dabe, Christopher (June 23, 2015). "Arkansas' Andrew Benintendi wins 2015 Golden Spikes Award ahead of LSU's Alex Bregman, 2 other finalists". The Times-Picayune. Retrieved August 13, 2015.
  14. ↑ Cwik, Chris (June 8, 2015). "Diamondbacks select Dansby Swanson with first pick in 2015 MLB Draft". Yahoo Sports. Retrieved June 9, 2015.
  15. ↑ Buchanan, Zach (July 17, 2015). "Diamondbacks sign first-overall pick Dansby Swanson at deadline". Arizona Republic. Retrieved February 1, 2016.
  16. ↑ Sparks, Adam (July 20, 2015). "Dansby Swanson humble despite $6.5M Diamondbacks bonus". The Tennessean. Retrieved February 1, 2016.
  17. ↑ Lara-Cinisomo, Vince (September 4, 2015). "Swanson Sizzling At End To First Pro Season". Baseball America. Retrieved February 1, 2016.
  18. ↑ Moran, Danny (August 12, 2015). "Dansby Swanson, No. 1 overall pick in MLB draft, makes pro baseball debut with Hops". The Oregonian. Retrieved 13 August 2015.
  19. ↑ Heneghan, Kelsie (December 9, 2015). "Braves nab Swanson, Blair from D-backs". MILB.com. Retrieved February 1, 2016.
  20. ↑ Purdum, David (January 30, 2016). "Dansby Swanson could be in Atlanta 'soon'". Atlanta Journal Constitution. Retrieved February 1, 2016.
  21. ↑ "Shelby Miller traded to Diamondbacks". ESPN.com. December 9, 2015. Retrieved December 9, 2015.
  22. ↑ Bowman, Mark (February 20, 2016). "Close to roots, young Swanson has big league shot". MLB.com. Retrieved February 20, 2016.
  23. ↑ Dykstra, Sam (April 4, 2016). "Braves Prospect Primer: Rebuild rolls on". MILB.com. Retrieved April 4, 2016.
  24. ↑ Bowman, Mark (April 30, 2016). "Braves' top prospects climbing through system". MLB.com. Retrieved April 30, 2016.
  25. ↑ Bowman, Mark (June 28, 2016). "Swanson selected for 2016 Futures Game". MLB.com. Retrieved June 29, 2016.
  26. ↑ Curtright, Guy (July 5, 2016). "Southern notes: Albies, Swanson form bond". MILB.com. Retrieved July 6, 2016.
  27. ↑ Bowman, Mark; James, Pat (August 16, 2016). "The future is now: Braves call up Swanson". Retrieved August 16, 2016.
  28. ↑ Mayo, Jonathan (August 16, 2016). "Swanson brings on-base ability, defense to Braves". Retrieved August 16, 2016.
  29. 1 2 3 O'Brien, David (December 22, 2016). "Braves' Dansby Swanson switches jersey number". Atlanta Journal Constitution. Retrieved December 23, 2016.
  30. 1 2 3 Bowman, Mark (December 22, 2016). "Swanson goes back to roots, switches to No. 7". MLB.com. Retrieved December 23, 2016.
  31. ↑ Bowman, Mark (August 17, 2016). "Swanson right at home with 2-hit debut". MLB.com. Retrieved August 18, 2016.
  32. ↑ "Dansby Swanson's 1st major league home run is inside the park". ESPN.com. September 7, 2016. Retrieved September 7, 2016.
  33. ↑ Bowman, Mark (September 6, 2016). "Swanson's 1st homer an inside-the-parker". MLB.com. Retrieved September 7, 2016.
  34. ↑ Bowman, Mark (July 26, 2017). "Braves option Swanson, Blair to Triple-A". Retrieved July 27, 2017.
  35. ↑ Bowman, Mark (July 9, 2017). "Camargo earning bigger role with Braves". MLB.com. Retrieved July 27, 2017.
  36. ↑ O'Brien, David (August 9, 2017). "Braves recall Dansby Swanson from Triple-A Gwinnett". Atlanta Journal Constitution. Retrieved November 9, 2017.
  37. ↑ "Dansby Swanson placed on DL with wrist injury". MLB.com. Retrieved May 4, 2018.
  38. ↑ Bowman, Mark (September 29, 2018). "Braves activate Swanson off disabled list". MLB.com. Retrieved May 19, 2018.
  39. ↑ Bowman, Mark (August 21, 2018). "Swanson's career night lifts Gausman to win". MLB.com. Retrieved August 22, 2018.
  40. ↑ Weinrib, Ben (September 2, 2018). "Swanson showing pop with new batting stance". MLB.com. Retrieved September 2, 2018.
  41. 1 2 Bowman, Mark (September 26, 2018). "Braves awaiting word on Swanson's injured wrist". MLB.com. Retrieved September 29, 2018.
  42. ↑ Bowman, Mark (September 28, 2018). "Braves hopeful Swanson returns for NLDS". MLB.com. Retrieved September 29, 2018.
  43. ↑ Bowman, Mark (September 27, 2018). "Swanson has ligament tear; playoff status unclear". MLB.com. Retrieved September 29, 2018.
  44. ↑ Bowman, Mark (October 4, 2018). "Dansby disappointed but keeps sense of humor". MLB.com. Retrieved October 4, 2018.
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