The Atlanta Braves have the personnel to field a potent offense. The problem so far has been that these bats haven’t been picking up. Some important hitters in the lineup have been largely inconsistent. Dansby Swanson insists a slow start hasn’t impacted his confidence. Brian Snitker made the decision to drop Swanson from second in the batting order anyway.
Atlanta Braves Drop Dansby Swanson in Batting Order
The rookie shortstop put on a show in 2016. His first stint in Atlanta was encouraging. He showed some pop, and flashed some good defense. Swanson ended the stretch with a .302 average. This performance set him at the top of the list for 2017 Rookie of the Year predictions.
Three weeks in on this season, Braves fans have seen Swanson struggle with a .132 average and a 25.7 percent strikeout rate. Snitker gave Swanson the day off on April 20 after an 0-for-4 game the night before, a 4-14 loss to division rival Washington Nationals. Mark Bowman of MLB.com has repeatedly fielded answers from Swanson that reaffirms the 23-year-old’s mind is in the right place.
“I’m feeling good up there right now,” Swanson told Bowman. “I’m not far away.”
Swanson Dropped to Eighth in Lineup
The Vanderbilt University star was back on April 21, but not in his usual spot in the order at number two. Swanson was replaced in the order by third baseman Adonis Garcia the past few games as the shortstop was given the eight spot. Garcia has been struggling himself, posting a .535 OPS through 69 plate appearances.
Dansby Swanson was again inserted at eighth to shore up the weekend’s three-game set against the Philadelphia Phillies. Garcia has been given the night off while Jace Peterson slides over to the hot corner.
#Braves have moved the red hot Brandon Phillips up in the order…he’ll bat second today. #onUp
— Kevin McAlpin (@KevinMcAlpin) April 23, 2017
There were 28 games last year that saw Swanson start at that spot in the lineup. It might be just what the rookie needs to find his feet for his first full season at the major league level. It was time for Atlanta to make a change, and the one they made will likely become the regular lineup every night until Swanson’s bat comes back around.
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