Atlanta Braves: Dansby Swanson Off the Table, Where He Belongs

Throughout the offseason, many major league teams are giving up value talent in return for established superstars. However, the Atlanta Braves are unwilling to give up their crown jewel, Dansby Swanson.

Sometimes, things work out in the most perfect way imaginable. For the Atlanta Braves, Dansby Swanson appears to the be the perfect ballplayer to bring them back into relevance. As a result, the organization is firmly holding on to their promising prospect while still making moves toward impending contention.

With three impressive seasons at Vanderbilt University on his resume, Swanson received the first overall selection in the 2015 draft. Just over a year later, the Braves called him up from Double-A Mississippi to debut on August 17, 2016. In just 38 games, the 22-year-old lived up to the hype by batting .302 with 11 extra base hits. Swanson raced for his first career home run, which came from an inside-the-park homer on September 6.

Off the Table

Even with prized talent on the market, any suitors for Swanson quickly realized the Braves hold their promising superstar with an iron grip. The Braves understand his true value, and it’s not necessarily that he will become the next Mike Trout or Bryce Harper. Rather, he is a young ballplayer that sticks to the fundamentals. He does not try to do too much, but does everything he can to win ballgames.

“I don’t think you can put any playables or comparisons on him. I just know we’re better with him, and the whole is greater than the parts,” said Braves general manager John Coppolella (per AJC.com). “This is a special guy that makes people around him better. He’s in the right spot, he gets the big hit at the right time… And we hope that he’s here for a very long time.”

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Like Kris Bryant is for the Chicago Cubs, the Braves hope Swanson will become the face of their rebuilding franchise. Transitioning to SunTrust Park, the Braves are looking to Swanson to mature into the long-lasting icon of Braves baseball.

“I’m just looking to make an impact wherever I go,” Swanson said (per MLB.com). “I want to make an impact, whether that’s in High A or Double-A or wherever it might be. I just want to win. That’s truly how I think.”

Another invaluable trait that keeps Swanson on the Braves’ untradeable list is his upbringing in Marietta, Georgia. Growing up a Braves fan in a small suburban city, his childhood home lies roughly 20 miles outside of Atlanta. After a controversial trade sent him to Atlanta, Swanson’s excitement to return home accompanied his excitement to play professional baseball. In the same way Rickey Henderson excelled as a member of his hometown Oakland Athletics, the Braves foresee Swanson succeeding in front of his family and friends.

Looking Ahead

Without giving up Swanson, the Braves reeled in a pair of key veterans to ease their rookies into the major leagues. Over the course of a week, the Braves signed R.A. Dickey and Bartolo Colon with a pair of one-year deals. On top of improving the Braves rotation, the veterans bring with them 33 seasons of experience in the major leagues. Both are proven leaders and are sure to benefit the Braves on the field and in the clubhouse.

Not to mention, Swanson is not the only youngster in the Braves’ rebuilding process. Over the last few seasons, the Braves filled their farm system with promising young talent. While the Braves cast Swanson as the main character, they expect Mallex Smith, Aaron Blair and Sean Newcomb to take on supporting roles.

Next: Young Players That Will Break Out in 2017

Not only will Swanson likely became Atlanta’s full-time shortstop, but the Braves plan to move him up in the lineup. Last season, he primarily hit eighth while batting seventh on occasion. However, the franchise believes that Swanson is ready to hit second in 2017 and begin his road to greatness in Atlanta.

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