It wasn’t the most ideal way they wanted to have it happen, but the Boston Red Sox are bringing their best prospect to The Big Show.
Red Sox To Promote Blake Swihart http://t.co/bkrfiYNATE
— MLB Trade Rumors (@mlbtraderumors) May 2, 2015
Blake Swihart is the Red Sox No. 1 prospect and sits at No. 9 on the Grading on the Curve Top 50. The young backstop is the third member of the Top 10 to get called up on the season. The Red Sox were intent on leaving Swihart in the minors as he fine tuned his defense for much of the 2015 season. That changed Friday night when Red sox starter Ryan Hanigan broke his finger.
Many people felt (or at least made themselves believe) that Swihart had a chance at the roster earlier this season when projected starter Christian Vasquez went down for the year with an injury that resulted in the dreaded Tommy John surgery. Despite being the top catching prospect in the game, the Red Sox felt that Swihart was simply not quite their defensively. They left him in Triple-A Pawtucket to hopefully become more well-rounded. Hanigan’s injury forced their hand.
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The 23-year old, switch hitting, right hander will become the starting backstop for the Red Sox. Only career back-up Sandy Leon stands in his way, and Leon doesn’t provide the punch (a career .191 hitter in 115 MLB at bats) nor the over whelming presence behind the plate, although he is efficient. Unless the Red Sox go out and bring in another catcher, Swihart will play everyday. There is nothing within the organization besides Swihart and reports are that want nothing to do with a reunion with former backstop Jarrod Saltalamacchia.
Industry source: Swihart will join Red Sox Sat. though Sox will continue to explore external options. Saltalamacchia not among them, however
— Sean McAdam (@Sean_McAdam) May 2, 2015
Swihart broke through last year, setting career highs in home runs (13) and RBI (64) over two levels. He also was an impressive 8-for-9 in stolen bases while combining for 26 doubles and 4 triples, showing he adds some uncharacteristic speed to the backstop position. This season, Swihart was off to a fast start as well. He was slashing .338/.392/.382 through his first 18 games. He had yet to hit a home run this year, but still drove in 11 Paw Sox.
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Is it the right move? Unfortunately for the Red Sox, that seems irrelevant, as they simply don’t have any other moves they could make in his stead. Swihart will be put to the test immediately. He will catch Wade Miley in Boston against the New York Yankees. He will be facing Nathan Eovaldi as his first big league pitcher, which is promising since he is batting .390 this season against righties as opposed to .259 against lefties.
Nothing like making your long awaited debut on prime time television amongst the most heated rivalry in sports history. Not much pressure there, right? Welcome to The Show, young man!