The Major League Baseball (MLB) Draft is an annual event where teams select amateur baseball players for their professional teams. The draft is a crucial process for teams to build their future rosters, and the first overall pick is often the most coveted selection.
In 2015, the Arizona Diamondbacks had the first overall pick, and they selected Dansby Swanson, a shortstop from Vanderbilt University. This was a significant moment in MLB history, as it marked the first time since 1974 that a college shortstop had been drafted first overall.
In this blog post, we will explore the background of Dansby Swanson, the 2015 MLB Draft, and the Arizona Diamondbacks’ decision to draft him. We will also discuss the potential impact that Swanson could have on the Diamondbacks and reflect on the significance of the MLB Draft.
Background on Dansby Swanson
Brief Biography of Dansby Swanson
Dansby Swanson was born on February 11, 1994, in Marietta, Georgia. He attended Marietta High School, where he played baseball and football.
Swanson was a standout shortstop in baseball, earning All-State honors his junior and senior years. He also played for the East Cobb Yankees, a renowned travel baseball team in Georgia.
After graduating from high school, Swanson committed to play college baseball at Vanderbilt University. He played for the Vanderbilt Commodores from 2013 to 2015, earning numerous accolades and awards during his time there.
His College Career at Vanderbilt University
Swanson’s college career at Vanderbilt was highly successful, and he quickly became one of the top prospects in college baseball. In his freshman year, he hit .333 with three home runs and 34 RBI, helping Vanderbilt reach the College World Series.
In his sophomore year, Swanson’s performance improved even more, hitting .333 with four home runs and 34 RBI. He also had an outstanding defensive season, recording a .966 fielding percentage at shortstop.
Vanderbilt once again reached the College World Series, and Swanson was named the Most Outstanding Player of the tournament.
Swanson’s junior year was his best yet, hitting .335 with 15 home runs and 64 RBI. He also recorded a .982 fielding percentage and was named the Southeastern Conference (SEC) Player of the Year.
Vanderbilt once again reached the College World Series, but this time they won the championship, with Swanson playing a key role in the victory.
Overall, Swanson had an impressive college career, hitting .335 with 15 home runs and 106 RBI in three seasons. He was a two-time All-American and a two-time Gold Glove winner, and he helped Vanderbilt win its first-ever College World Series championship in 2014.
The 2015 Mlb Draft
The Mlb Draft Process
The MLB Draft is an annual event where teams select amateur baseball players for their professional teams. The draft consists of 40 rounds and takes place in June, after the conclusion of the college baseball season.
The order of the draft is determined by the previous season’s standings, with the team with the worst record getting the first overall pick.
Each team has a certain amount of bonus money allocated for the draft, which they can use to sign their drafted players. The higher the pick, the more bonus money a player is likely to receive.
The First Round of the 2015 Mlb Draft
The 2015 MLB Draft was held on June 8, 2015, and featured a talented pool of players. The first round of the draft consisted of 30 picks, with each team having one selection.
The first overall pick was held by the Arizona Diamondbacks, followed by the Houston Astros, Colorado Rockies, and Texas Rangers.
Dansby Swanson’s Selection as the First Overall Pick
The Arizona Diamondbacks selected Dansby Swanson as the first overall pick in the 2015 MLB Draft. This was a surprising move, as many experts had predicted that the Diamondbacks would select Brendan Rodgers, a shortstop from Lake Mary High School in Florida.
However, the Diamondbacks’ front office was impressed with Swanson’s college career and believed that he would be a difference-maker at the Major League level.
Swanson’s selection made history, as he became the first college shortstop to be drafted first overall since the San Diego Padres took Bill Almon in 1974.
It was also the third time in franchise history that the Diamondbacks had the first overall pick, with previous selections being Justin Upton in 2005 and Stephen Drew in 2004.
The Arizona Diamondbacks
Brief History of the Arizona Diamondbacks
The Arizona Diamondbacks are a professional baseball team based in Phoenix, Arizona. They were founded in 1998 as an expansion team and have won the National League West division title five times since their inception.
The Diamondbacks also won the National League pennant and the World Series in 2001, led by stars such as Randy Johnson, Curt Schilling, and Luis Gonzalez.
The Diamondbacks’ Decision to Draft Dansby Swanson
The Diamondbacks’ decision to draft Dansby Swanson with the first overall pick in the 2015 MLB Draft was a bold move that generated a lot of buzz in the baseball world.
The team’s front office was impressed with Swanson’s skills and believed that he had the potential to be a franchise player for the Diamondbacks.
One factor that may have influenced the Diamondbacks’ decision was the team’s lack of depth at the shortstop position.
Swanson was considered by many to be the best shortstop in the draft, and his defensive skills and offensive potential made him an attractive prospect for the Diamondbacks.
Potential Impact on the Team
Since being drafted, Dansby Swanson has had a solid MLB career, playing primarily for the Atlanta Braves after being traded by the Diamondbacks in a blockbuster deal that brought pitcher Shelby Miller to Arizona.
If Swanson had remained with the Diamondbacks, he could have potentially made an impact on the team’s infield, possibly replacing Nick Ahmed as the starting shortstop.
Swanson’s offensive production, combined with his defensive abilities, could have made him a key player in the Diamondbacks’ lineup and a fan favorite in Arizona.
In the end, while the Diamondbacks did not get the chance to benefit from Swanson’s talents, their decision to draft him showed that they were committed to building a competitive team for the future.
The 2015 MLB Draft marked a significant moment in the team’s history, and the Diamondbacks will undoubtedly continue to look for top prospects to help them achieve their goals.
The Top Five Picks in the 2015 Mlb Draft, Including Dansby Swanson
| Pick | Player | Position | Team |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dansby Swanson | Shortstop | Arizona Diamondbacks |
| 2 | Alex Bregman | Shortstop/Third Base | Houston Astros |
| 3 | Brendan Rodgers | Shortstop | Colorado Rockies |
| 4 | Dillon Tate | Pitcher | Texas Rangers |
| 5 | Kyle Tucker | Outfield | Houston Astros |
The table shows the player’s name, position, and the team that drafted them in the top five picks of the 2015 MLB Draft. This provides a quick overview of the top talent available in the draft, including Dansby Swanson’s selection as the first overall pick.
FAQs
What other notable players were drafted in the 2015 MLB Draft?
The 2015 MLB Draft was a deep one, with several notable players selected in the early rounds. Some of the other top picks in the draft included Alex Bregman (2nd overall to the Houston Astros), Andrew Benintendi (7th overall to the Boston Red Sox), and Kyle Tucker (5th overall to the Astros).
What has been Dansby Swanson’s career like since being drafted?
Dansby Swanson has had a solid MLB career since being drafted, primarily playing for the Atlanta Braves. He was named to the All-Star team in 2021 and has been a key contributor to the Braves’ recent success, including their run to the 2021 World Series championship.
What was the Diamondbacks’ rationale for trading Swanson to the Braves?
The Diamondbacks made the controversial decision to trade Dansby Swanson to the Atlanta Braves in a deal that brought pitcher Shelby Miller to Arizona. The team’s front office believed that Miller would be a valuable addition to their starting rotation, but the trade ultimately proved to be a bust, as Miller struggled on the mound and Swanson emerged as a star for the Braves.
What impact has Swanson had on the Braves’ recent success?
Dansby Swanson has been a key contributor to the Braves’ recent success, particularly in their 2021 World Series championship season. He played a crucial role in the playoffs, hitting .296 with 10 RBIs in 15 games and making several highlight-reel defensive plays at shortstop. Swanson’s leadership and clutch performances have made him a fan favorite in Atlanta and a key piece of the team’s future plans.
What is the significance of Swanson being the first college shortstop drafted first overall since 1974?
Dansby Swanson’s selection as the first overall pick in the 2015 MLB Draft was a historic moment, as he became the first college shortstop to be drafted first overall since Bill Almon in 1974. This highlighted Swanson’s exceptional skills as a shortstop and his potential to be a franchise player at the Major League level. His selection paved the way for other talented college shortstops to be considered as potential top picks in future drafts.
Conclusion
Dansby Swanson’s selection as the first overall pick in the 2015 MLB Draft by the Arizona Diamondbacks was a significant moment in both his career and the history of the Diamondbacks organization.
Swanson’s skills as a college shortstop made him an attractive prospect for the Diamondbacks, and his selection made history as the first college shortstop to be drafted first overall since 1974.
While the Diamondbacks did not ultimately benefit from Swanson’s talents, his selection showed the team’s commitment to building a competitive team for the future.
Swanson has gone on to have a successful MLB career with the Atlanta Braves, but his selection by the Diamondbacks will always be remembered as a key moment in his journey to the Major Leagues.
