Dansby Swanson’s Career
Swanson was chosen first overall in the 2015 MLB Draft by the Arizona Diamondbacks. Since the San Diego Padres selected Bill Almon first overall in 1974, no collegiate shortstop has been taken first overall.
On July 17, ten minutes before the 2 p.m. (PT) deadline for that year’s draft choices, he signed with the team and took a $6.5 million signing bonus.
Swanson’s professional baseball debut was postponed when he was hit in the face by a fastball from Diamondbacks pitching prospect Yoan Lopez during a simulated game before being sent to one of the team’s minor league affiliates.
He had a concussion and had to get 14 stitches on the side of his mouth.
Swanson was sent to the Class A Short Season Hillsboro Hops after recuperating from the hit, and he made his professional debut on August 13, 2015.
He went 0-for-2 at the plate with two strikeouts, a walk, and a run scored. Swanson was advised that he would finish the season with Hillsboro rather than earning a late-season promotion that would further his growth after missing six weeks due to a concussion.
He hit .289 with one home run and 11 RBI in 83 at-bats for the Hops in 22 games, guiding Hillsboro to a Northwest League title.
Swanson, Ender Inciarte, and Aaron Blair were traded to the Atlanta Braves on December 9, 2015, in exchange for Shelby Miller and Gabe Speier.
The Braves were in the midst of a rebuild, and president of baseball operations John Hart stated that they “wanted to make it unpleasant for [Arizona] with guys that we got back” by refusing to deal with Miller unless they obtained key prospects such as Swanson.
Swanson was sent to the Class A-Advanced Carolina Mudcats after spending spring training with the Braves.
Before being promoted to the Double-A Mississippi Braves at the end of April, he batted.333 with a Carolina League-leading 12 doubles in 22 games.
How Tall Is Dansby Swanson?
Dansby Swanson’s height is 1.85 m