The first phase of the Atlanta Braves’ plan to transition their group of talented prospects to the big leagues appears to be underway. The club announced on Tuesday that it plans to select the contract of infielder Dansby Swanson and turn his long-awaited debut into reality.
The #Braves plan to select the contract of INF Dansby Swanson (@LieutenantDans7) on Wednesday. He will wear No. 2. pic.twitter.com/OIzh1qlnSo
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) August 16, 2016
Atlanta Braves Call Up Dansby Swanson
Swanson garnered headlines in college as he led the Vanderbilt Commodores to the 2014 National Championship, also leading Vandy to the College World Series again in 2015. The then 21-year-old shortstop was later drafted first overall in the 2015 Major League Baseball Draft by the Arizona Diamondbacks. It didn’t take long, however, for the Marietta, Georgia-native to move closer to home.
In December of 2015, Swanson was traded in a blockbuster deal to the Braves in a package that included outfielder Ender Inciarte and pitcher Aaron Blair for starter Shelby Miller. The trade was an eye-opener of sorts, because it was the first time a No. 1 overall pick had been dealt in the same calendar year he’d been drafted.
Swanson has split time this season between High-A Carolina and Double-A Mississippi in the Braves’ farm system. The majority of his games have come at the Double-A level in the Southern League (84), as opposed to 21 games in A-ball. He has compiled a slash line of .275/.362/.426 in those 105 games. The No. 7 rated prospect in the game, according to Baseball America, also represented the U.S. Team in the 2016 Futures Game in San Diego, going 0-for-3 with a strikeout.
This call-up comes on the heels of the Braves dealing shortstop Erik Aybar to the Detroit Tigers, a move that seemed to scream bringing up a young infielder to take his place. One question Braves fans may have is what this means for Ozzie Albies. Albies, the No. 17 prospect according to Baseball America, is 19 years old and could certainly be a factor in September call-ups, but Atlanta probably isn’t in a hurry to get him in a big league uniform. Even though he has played 56 games in Triple-A this season, there is little reason to speed up the clock on him.
Swanson will wear No. 2, which may bring back fond memories of Alex Gonzalez making dazzling plays at short in Atlanta. One thing is for sure: this move is the first of many and will be a glimpse into the future for hopeful Braves fans.
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