Diamondbacks Take Dansby Swanson No. 1 Overall
Jun 24, 2014; Omaha, NE, USA; (Editor
With the 1st pick in the 2015 MLB Draft, the Arizona Diamondbacks select Dansby Swanson, SS Vanderbilt.
The DBacks haven’t had the first pick in the draft since they picked another shortstop by the name of Justin Upton in the 2005. Their 64 win and 98 loss season gave them this number one pick which may have worked out for them in the long run. The pick was between shortstops in Swanson, Alex Bregman of LSU, and Brendan Rodgers of Lake Mary High School. With not much depth at the SS or overall middle infield positions, Swanson was the perfect fit for Arizona.
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Dansby Swanson is a junior at Vanderbilt who can play the infield. He came into college as a shortstop but emerged as a second baseman.
At 6-1, 190 pounds, Swanson possesses the athleticism to be one of the next great shortstops to play the game. He was previously drafted out of Marietta High school in Marietta, Georgia by the Colorado Rockies in the 38th round. Being a two sport athlete in high school playing basketball and baseball, he earned all state honors.
In his freshman year at Vanderbilt, he only played in 11 games because of a shoulder injury. Coming into his sophomore season people anticipated for him to be one of the best in the SEC. He ended up hitting .333 with three home runs and 22 stolen bases.
Swanson later helped the Commodore’s win the College World Series in Omaha earning Most Outstanding player. He also was awarded with 3rd team All-American which helped boost up his stock even more for this years draft.
Coming into this year people expected him to do the same hitting in the 300’s, slugging maybe 10 home runs, and 20 stolen bases, but he blew expectations. In 2015 he hit .348 with 14 homers and 61 RBI’s. He was also named a finalist for the Golden Spikes award which he will most likely win.
He won the Nashville regional MVP helping beat Radford to move onto the super regional against Illinois, beating them as well today to move onto the College World Series for the 2nd straight year.
Swanson brings many things to the table which caught all 30 teams eyes. Swanson’s speed and contact give him the ability to hit in the leadoff spot or the second spot but his power gives him the ability to hit in the three hole also.
Swanson is almost a five tool player just waiting on the arm strength but the fielding skills are there. Vanderbilt has been a prestigious school in the sport of baseball over the past couple years making him that much more intriguing. Swanson’s potential is off the charts and will be used very soon.
Obviously his impact on a team motivates them to win a championship. He is still on a mission to win his second staright College World Series with Vandy and will most likely succeed as they are the heavy favorite.
The DBacks drafted a champion in Sawnson that could be up in the MLB within the next couple years. They could have picked Bregman or Rodgers but were smart and took him. Hopefully he signs but I’m sure the multi-million dollar contract will help.