Diamondbacks surprise no one, nab Swanson with 1st pick

The Arizona Diamondbacks kicked off the 2015 MLB Draft, aka the draft of the shortstop, by selecting Dansby Swanson.

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Swanson, the 21-year old junior from Vanderbilt, was ranked in the top three draft prospects across the expert reports. The shortstop was drafted in the 38th round by the Colorado Rockies in 2012 but decided to go to Vandy instead. It was clearly the right decision, as he stepped into the national spotlight last season. Swanson took home the Most Outstanding Player award as he helped lead Vanderbilt to their first ever College World Series title.

Swanson joins LSU’s Alex Bregman and Florida high schooler Brendan Rodgers as the three top projected picks in this year’s draft, and all are shortstops. While Swanson may only equate to a 15 home run type of player, MLB Trade Rumors states that he “has the speed and on-base skills” to be a menace at the top of a Major League lineup. He has plate discipline and isn’t afraid to take a walk which is a major asset as a first year player.

Baseball America praises Swanson on his seemingly effortless transition from second base to shortstop this past season. Baseball America says Swanson possesses the “athleticism, range and hands” needed to play shortstop at the big league level.

There was some thought picking up steam the past week that the Diamondbacks would possibly take No. 17 rated catcher Tyler Stephenson with their gaping hole on the pipeline in that department. Apparently, Swanson was simply too good to pass up on.

The Houston Astros jumped in and snagged Alex Bregman with the second pick and the Colorado Rockies nabbed Troy Tulowitzki’s heir apparent in Rodgers with the third pick. All three shortstops are off the board, leading the Texas Rangers to take Dillon Tate with the fourth pick.

Stay tuned as more draft coverage will come in the coming rounds and days!

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