Dansby Swanson

Dansby Swanson

Swanson with the Atlanta Braves in 2016 spring training
Atlanta Braves
Shortstop
Born: (1994-02-11) February 11, 1994
Marietta, Georgia
Bats: Right Throws: Right

James Dansby Swanson (born February 11, 1994) is an American professional baseball shortstop in the Atlanta Braves organization. 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.

Amateur career

He was born on February 11, 1994 in Marietta, Georgia, to parents Cooter and Nancy (née Dansby) Swanson. Swanson grew up with two siblings, sister Lindsey and brother Chase.[1] Dansby attended Marietta High School in his hometown, where he played basketball and baseball.[2] 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.[3] 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.[4] As a sophomore in 2014, he was named an All-Southeastern Conference.[5] After the Commodores beat the Virginia Cavaliers in the 2014 College World Series, he was named the College World Series Most Outstanding Player.[6][7] He was a finalist for the 2015 Golden Spikes Award, presented annually to the nation's top college player.[8]

Professional career

The Arizona Diamondbacks selected Swanson with the first overall selection of the 2015 Major League Baseball Draft.[9] Swanson signed with the Diamondbacks, receiving a $6.5 million signing bonus.[10][11] While batting in a simulated game against Yoan López in July 2015, Swanson was hit in the face with a pitch.[12] 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.[13] 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.[14][15]

On December 9, 2015, the Diamondbacks traded Swanson, Ender Inciarte, and Aaron Blair to the Atlanta Braves for Shelby Miller and Gabe Speier.[16] The Braves invited Swanson to spring training to open the 2016 season.[17] He was sent to to the Class A Advanced Carolina Mudcats at the end of spring training.[18] Swanson was promoted to Double A on April 30, after hitting .333/.441/.526 in 21 appearances at Carolina.[19]

References

  1. ↑ Sparks, Adam (June 4, 2015). "Dansby Swanson: Vanderbilt's big-league character". The Tennessean. Retrieved January 17, 2016.
  2. ↑ Santos, Ana (December 10, 2015). "Former high school coach on Dansby Swanson: 'That's the dream'". Atlanta Journal Constitution. Retrieved January 17, 2016.
  3. ↑ Simon, Andrew. "Draft profile: Dansby Swanson". MLB.com. Retrieved January 17, 2016.
  4. ↑ "Vanderbilt baseball counting big on injury-plagued Dansby Swanson". The Tennessean. February 13, 2014. Retrieved June 9, 2015.
  5. ↑ "Four Commodores earn All-SEC honors". vucommodores.com. Retrieved June 9, 2015.
  6. ↑ "Marietta s Swanson named top player as Vanderbilt wins first men s championship". Marietta Daily Journal. Retrieved June 9, 2015.
  7. ↑ "Vanderbilt's Swanson named most outstanding player". Omaha World Herald. Retrieved June 9, 2015.
  8. ↑ 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.
  9. ↑ Cwik, Chris (June 8, 2015). "Diamondbacks select Dansby Swanson with first pick in 2015 MLB Draft". Yahoo Sports. Retrieved June 9, 2015.
  10. ↑ Buchanan, Zach (July 17, 2015). "Diamondbacks sign first-overall pick Dansby Swanson at deadline". Arizona Republic. Retrieved February 1, 2016.
  11. ↑ Sparks, Adam (July 20, 2015). "Dansby Swanson humble despite $6.5M Diamondbacks bonus". The Tennessean. Retrieved February 1, 2016.
  12. ↑ Lara-Cinisomo, Vince (September 4, 2015). "Swanson Sizzling At End To First Pro Season". Baseball America. Retrieved February 1, 2016.
  13. ↑ 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.
  14. ↑ Heneghan, Kelsie (December 9, 2015). "Braves nab Swanson, Blair from D-backs". MILB.com. Retrieved February 1, 2016.
  15. ↑ Purdum, David (January 30, 2016). "Dansby Swanson could be in Atlanta ‘soon’". Atlanta Journal Constitution. Retrieved February 1, 2016.
  16. ↑ "Shelby Miller traded to Diamondbacks". ESPN. December 9, 2015. Retrieved December 9, 2015.
  17. ↑ Bowman, Mark (February 20, 2016). "Close to roots, young Swanson has big league shot". MLB.com. Retrieved February 20, 2016.
  18. ↑ Dykstra, Sam (April 4, 2016). "Braves Prospect Primer: Rebuild rolls on". MILB.com. Retrieved April 4, 2016.
  19. ↑ Bowman, Mark (April 30, 2016). "Braves' top prospects climbing through system". MLB.com. Retrieved April 30, 2016.

External links

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