Being drafted by a Major League Baseball team is an impressive accomplishment just by itself. Being drafted first overall, however, brings an even more daunting set of expectations: You’re part of a super elite group, perceived to literally be the best of the best. You join men like Ken Griffey Jr., Chipper Jones and Alex Rodriguez, all future Hall of Famers (although some might argue the last one), as a particular franchise’s greatest hope. You represent all the potential triumphs that team is shooting for, and they’re taking the gamble that you will be an integral part of a World Series-winning squad.
For some, that pressure may be too much to handle. This does not seem to be the case with Dansby Swanson. Selected by the Arizona Diamondbacks with the very first pick in last June’s draft, Swanson is already making himself known with the D-backs’ Single-A affiliate, our very own Hillsboro Hops. Through 12 games, he has 14 hits in 47 at bats (a .298 batting average), including six doubles, two triples and a home run. He failed to record a hit in just two of those 11 games, and he’s gotten two hits in each of the last four games. His OPS is currently .945; if he had enough plate appearances to qualify, he’d be ranked third in the league with that figure.
Swanson, a Georgia native, was a force to be reckoned with prior to the draft, as he received the Most Outstanding Player award when his Vanderbilt Commodores won the College World Series in 2014. Although he projects to be a slightly above average major leaguer, Swanson is widely lauded for his hitting and running, as he’s been noted to be most proficient at driving the ball through the gap. It’s likely for this reason that the MLB scouting report listed his closest comp as another shortstop you might recognize: Derek Jeter. As if the expectations weren’t high enough.
While the Diamondbacks are certainly chomping at the bit for Swanson to make an impact in the bigs, they’ve already announced that he will stick with the Hops through the remainder of the season. Considering that the Hillsboro boys are in prime position to make some noise in the upcoming playoffs, Swanson will get his first shot at postseason glory. Something tells me that he won’t be in town very long after that, so now’s your chance to see this phenomenal talent before his expected ascent to stardom.
Stats courtesy of MiLB.com, current through 8/25
Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!
