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Atlanta Braves: ESPN not showing Dansby Swanson any love

By David Hill

Apr 17, 2022; San Diego, California, USA; Atlanta Braves shortstop Dansby Swanson throws to first base on a ground out by San Diego Padres catcher Austin Nola (not pictured) during the sixth inning at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 17, 2022; San Diego, California, USA; Atlanta Braves shortstop Dansby Swanson throws to first base on a ground out by San Diego Padres catcher Austin Nola (not pictured) during the sixth inning at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dansby Swanson has had a solid run during his time in the majors. The Atlanta Braves shortstop has won a World Series, earned MVP votes in 2020, and has twice reached double digits in homers and steals in the same season. He may not be a superstar by any means, but he has been a respectable major league contributor.

One would not think that was the case based on ESPN’s Sunday Night Baseball. When Swanson came to the plate, the graphic did not point out any of his positives. Instead, it noted that Swanson was the first player since 1913 to strike out in each of the first ten games of a season for three consecutive years.

Atlanta Braves shortstop Dansby Swanson gets short end of stick

At the beginning of every season, it can be difficult to find positive statistics. Even the best of cherry pickers could have trouble finding something to highlight after 39 disappointing plate appearances, as Swanson had heading into Sunday night. However, they could have highlighted his four doubles thus far in 2021, or his career best 27 homers and 33 doubles last season.

Instead, they went with a statistic that makes his time at the plate seem futile. To put it into perspective, known windmills Joey Gallo, Chris Davis, and Mark Reynolds were unable to achieve such a “feat.”

Swanson has struggled to make contract to begin the 2022 season. His 16 strikeouts entering Sunday led the majors. He has also begun to slide up the leaderboard in that category, entering the top ten in the National League in each of the previous two seasons.

But he is so much more than those swings and misses. Swanson has solid power from short, decent speed, and is a respectable defensive option. Any of that could have been highlighted. Instead, ESPN chose to find the least flattering statistic possible.

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ESPN was not exactly kind to Dansby Swanson with their infographic last night. The Atlanta Braves shortstop definitely deserved better.

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