Dansby Swanson, a professional baseball shortstop, currently plays for the Chicago Cubs in Major League Baseball (MLB) after previously playing for the Atlanta Braves. The Arizona Diamondbacks selected him as the first overall pick in the 2015 MLB Draft. His shirt number is #7 for his current team and his playing position is shortstop. He is currently married to his wife, Mallory Pugh.
Growing up in Kennesaw, Georgia, Swanson was a fan of the Atlanta Braves and played basketball and baseball in high school. Despite being selected by the Colorado Rockies in the 38th round of the 2012 MLB Draft, he opted to play college baseball for the Vanderbilt Commodores instead. After a successful college career that included winning the College World Series Most Outstanding Player award in 2014, Swanson joined the Diamondbacks in 2015 before being traded to the Braves a year later. While he initially struggled in the majors, Swanson overcame injuries and set career highs in batting average and runs scored in 2020. He also helped lead the Braves to their first World Series championship since 1995 in 2021.
Who are the Parents of Dansby Swanson?
Dansby Swanson was born on February 11, 1994, in Kennesaw, Georgia, in the United States. He is an American when it comes to his nationality and his ethnicity is of American-white ethnicity. He is currently 29 years old as of 2023. His parents, Cooter Swanson and Nancy Swanson, both played college sports at Troy University. His father played baseball and also served as an assistant coach for the Trojans, while his mother played basketball and tennis. Swanson grew up in the suburbs of Atlanta and was a fan of the Atlanta Braves of Major League Baseball (MLB) from a young age. His full name is James Dansby Swanson, with the first name “James” and “Dansby” being his mother’s maiden name. As the youngest among three siblings, his older brother Chase played baseball for the Mercer Bears, while his sister Lindsey participated in softball for Georgia College. He attended Marietta High School in Georgia, where he played for both the school’s baseball and basketball teams.
After graduating from high school, Swanson enrolled at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee. He played college baseball for the Vanderbilt Commodores and helped the team win the 2014 College World Series. During his time at Vanderbilt, Swanson earned numerous accolades, including being named the SEC Player of the Year and the Most Outstanding Player of the College World Series. In 2015, he was selected by the Arizona Diamondbacks as the first overall pick in the MLB draft. He made his MLB debut with the Diamondbacks in 2016 before being traded to the Atlanta Braves later that year, where he has played ever since.
Dansby Swanson Baseball Career
College Career
- Dansby Swanson was selected by the Colorado Rockies in the 38th round of the 2012 MLB Draft, but he chose to attend Vanderbilt University instead of signing with the team. As a freshman in 2013, he played in just 11 games due to injuries and started at shortstop in four of them. Swanson broke a bone in his foot and then suffered a torn glenoid labrum, requiring shoulder surgery and rehabilitation before returning for his sophomore season. As a sophomore in 2014, Swanson became Vanderbilt’s starting second baseman after Tony Kemp left. He had a strong season, finishing with a .366 batting average, 47 runs scored, 21 doubles, and 17 stolen bases, and was named an All-SEC First Team selection. Vanderbilt made it to the NCAA tournament and won the College World Series, with Swanson being named the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player for his batting and defense at second base. He also made the All-Tournament team as a designated hitter.
- In 2015, Swanson moved to shortstop due to several changes in Vanderbilt’s infield. He had a strong season, leading the SEC with 30 runs scored and finishing with a .347 batting average, 50 RBI, and 34 extra-base hits. Swanson was named to the All-SEC Second Team and was a semifinalist for the Dick Howser Trophy and a finalist for the Golden Spikes Award. He won the Brooks Wallace Award for best collegiate shortstop. Swanson tied SEC Tournament records with two home runs in one game, but struggled in the NCAA tournament. Vanderbilt lost to Virginia in the finals.
Professional Career
- Swanson was selected by the Arizona Diamondbacks as the first overall pick in the 2015 MLB Draft. After signing with the team for $6.5 million, he suffered a concussion from a pitch during a simulated game which delayed his professional debut. Swanson eventually played for the Class A Short Season Hillsboro Hops and batted .289 with one home run and 11 RBI in 22 games. In December 2015, Swanson was traded to the Atlanta Braves in exchange for Shelby Miller and Gabe Speier. After spending time in the minors, he was eventually promoted to the Double-A Mississippi Braves where he appeared in 84 games and batted .261 with eight home runs and 45 RBI.
Atlanta Braves
- Dansby Swanson, a shortstop, made his Major League Baseball (MLB) debut on August 16, 2016, with the Atlanta Braves. He was called up after the Braves traded Erick Aybar to the Detroit Tigers to clear the position for him. Swanson made an immediate impact, recording his first two major league hits, both singles, in his debut game against the Minnesota Twins. He finished the season with a .302 batting average, three home runs, 17 RBI, and 11 extra-base hits, becoming the only rookie on the Braves’ 2017 Opening Day roster. However, he began the 2017 season struggling both offensively and defensively, batting .185 and committing 11 errors at shortstop by the end of May. Consequently, he was demoted to the Triple-A Gwinnett Stripers on July 27, where he could receive more playing time. He returned to the Braves on August 9 after Camargo suffered a knee injury during his pre-game ritual, and Swanson settled back into the shortstop position, batting .337 with a .434 on-base percentage (OBP) in the month after he replaced Camargo.
- In the 2018 season, Swanson began the season on a hot streak, recording multiple hits in four of the Braves’ first six games. However, he suffered a partially torn ligament in his left hand on September 25, 2018, that ruled him out for the remainder of the regular season. Swanson finished the season batting .238 with 14 home runs and 59 RBI in 136 games, while defensively, he improved from −7 Defensive Runs Saved in 2017 to 10 in 2018. Despite his injury, the Braves reached the 2018 National League Division Series (NLDS), where Swanson was prevented from playing. The Braves lost to the Dodgers in the NLDS.
- In 2019, Swanson showed promising offensive power during spring training, which led to hopes of an increase in his production for the season. Swanson started the year strong, with his home runs nearing a career high by June and his launch angle, exit velocity, and hard-hit rate all showing significant improvements from the previous season. However, he suffered a left heel injury in July, which led to him being on the injured list for three weeks. Swanson struggled to hit when he returned from the injury, batting only .141 in his first 23 games back. Nonetheless, he finished the season strong with eight hits in four games, ending with a .251 batting average, 17 home runs, and 65 RBI. In the postseason, Swanson helped the Braves win Game 3 of the NLDS against the St. Louis Cardinals with an RBI double, but the team ultimately lost the series.
- In the 2020 season, Swanson started strong once again, with five hits in his first three games, including a home run and six RBI. He also hit his first walk-off home run in August, leading the Braves to a 7-6 victory over the Washington Nationals. Swanson played in all 60 games of the shortened season, recording career highs with a .274 batting average, .345 on-base percentage, and .464 slugging percentage, while hitting 10 home runs and 35 RBI. He helped the Braves advance to the NLCS for the first time since 2001, where they ultimately lost to the Los Angeles Dodgers in seven games. Swanson had a costly baserunning error in Game 5 of the series, which prevented the Braves from potentially extending their lead and winning the game.
- Swanson’s arbitration request for a $6.7 million salary in 2021 was denied, but he ended up making $6 million. He struggled at the start of the season but picked up in May and hit several milestones throughout the season, including setting the single-season home run record for a Braves shortstop. Swanson played a crucial role in helping the Braves clinch the NL East title and made key defensive plays during the playoffs. He struggled at the plate but hit a game-tying home run in Game 4 of the World Series and secured the final out of the series to help the Braves win the championship. Swanson asked for and received a $10 million salary for the 2022 season and was named to the All-Star Game roster. He started all 162 games of the season, hit his 100th career home run, and won his first Gold Glove Award. He became a free agent at the end of the season.
Chicago Cubs
- On December 21, 2022, Swanson signed a seven-year contract with the Chicago Cubs, reportedly worth $177 million.
International Career
- During the 2014 Haarlem Baseball Week in the Netherlands, Swanson played for USA Baseball and led the team with a .458 batting average in 24 at-bats in his first six starts. The team won the gold medal by defeating Japan 6-3. Swanson also participated in the team’s Cuban tour and finished with a .288 batting average in 66 at-bats, placing second on the team.
Who is Dansby Swanson married to?
Swanson tied the knot with Mallory Pugh, who plays for both the Chicago Red Stars and the United States women’s national soccer team, on December 10, 2022. The wedding was a private affair held in Pugh’s hometown of Highlands Ranch, Colorado. The couple first met in 2017 through Pugh’s brother-in-law, who is Swanson’s former teammate Jace Peterson and started dating soon after.
Both Swanson and Pugh have successful careers in their respective sports, with Swanson being a key player for the Atlanta Braves and Pugh being a rising star in women’s soccer. Their marriage marks the union of two talented athletes and has garnered attention from both the baseball and soccer communities.
How much is Dansby Swanson?
Dansby Swanson is a professional baseball player with a net worth of $5 million as of 2023. His primary income source is from his baseball career. In December 2022, Swanson signed a seven-year contract with the Chicago Cubs for $177 million, including a $7 million signing bonus and an average annual salary of $25,285,714 each year. Back on January 10, 2020, he agreed to a one-year, $3.15 million contract extension with the Braves. He is living a lavish lifestyle right now.
Overall, Dansby Swanson is one of the highest-paid players in MLB, thanks to his impressive talent and skill on the field. His lucrative contract with the Cubs ensures he will be among the highest-paid players in the league for years to come. He is satisfied with his earnings as of now.
How tall is Dansby Swanson?
Dansby Swanson is a professional baseball player who is not only skilled in his sport but also easy on the eyes. Standing at 6 ft 1 in or 185.5 cm or 1.85 m and weighing 86 kg or 189.5 lbs, he has an athletic build that adds to his overall charm. With dark brown hair and hazel eyes, Swanson’s striking features are further highlighted by his toned physique. Adding to his rugged appearance is his overgrown, tousled, wavy hair and a well-groomed beard.
Beyond his physical attributes, Dansby Swanson is known for his impressive skills on the baseball field. He plays as a shortstop for the Atlanta Braves and has earned recognition for his defensive abilities and agility on the field. Despite his young age, he has already established himself as a valuable player and a potential superstar in the world of baseball. His charming looks and impressive skills have won him a legion of fans both on and off the field.
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