Despite his professional debut originally scheduled for three weeks ago, the first overall pick in the 2015 MLB Draft Dansby Swanson must be happy that he will finally don a uniform of Arizona Diamondbacks' affiliate Wednesday night.
Swanson, who agreed to a contract with a $6.5 million signing bonus just moments before the signing deadline for draft picks, built on to his 2014 College World Series Most Outstanding Player performance this season by posting career highs in batting average (.335), home runs (15), RBIs (64), and triples (6). In addition to his fantastic individual season, the Golden Spikes Award finalist led Vanderbilt to their second straight College World Series championship game appearance. Yet, nothing prepared him for what transpired prior to a chance at his MiLB debut.
After officially becoming a member of the D-Backs, the plan for Swanson was to travel to Arizona, play a couple of games in the Arizona Rookie League, and head to Visalia (Single-A Advanced) for his pro debut. Sadly, the 21-year old never arrived in California as he was nailed in the right side of the face during batting practice with a 97 mph fastball that resulted into fourteen stitches and a concussion.
Nevertheless the discouraging injury causing Arizona to rip up their original blueprint while keeping MLB.com's 12th prospect out of action, the time has finally arrived for him to start his career, for Swanson will be hopping into the batter's box for the Hillsboro Hops (Single-A Short Season) tomorrow night against the Vancouver Canadians (affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays).
Although the organization has made no indication on how long Dansby Swanson will spend in Hillsboro, if he can put "bat on ball" like in college, the shortstop should find himself in Kane County (Single-A) or Visalia for either squad's playoff run next month.