He’s a potential #2 hitter in a big league lineup, and while he’s worthy of a roster spot in a fantasy starting lineup, he may be a bit over-hyped by some- and that’s coming from a Braves fan.
Advertisement
Swanson was batting.277 with 10 home runs, 66 RBI, and 13 stolen bases. He walked three and struck out six. Carlos Estevez worked around a one-out single in the eighth and Adam Ottavino retired the Nationals quietly in the ninth, extending his franchise record of consecutive games without allowing a run to 35. The former Vanderbilt standout had a combined.275 average and nine homers and 55 RBIs in 105 games between MS and Class A Carolina.
Trevor Plouffe and Jorge Polanco had three hits apiece for Minnesota, and Plouffe knocked in three runs. David Dahl hit a two-run double with the bases loaded and Daniel Descalso added a sacrifice fly.
The Braves won both games at Target Field, following the victory over Santana by winning 9-7 the next night. After an intentional walk, two runs scored before Robbie Grossman’s bloop RBI single made it 6-2.
Swanson was originally drafted by the Rockies in the 38 round of the 2012 draft out of high school, but he chose to attend Vanderbilt University, where he was the first overall pick by the Braves three years later.
The right hander came up to bat for the first time in the second inning at Turner Field to a loud ovation before a hard-hit line-out to center off Minnesota’s Kyle Gibson. In his last one, he gave up five runs over five innings in 100-plus-degree heat in Texas.
The right-hander will have to be careful with Twins second baseman Brian Dozier, who hit three homers against the Royals over the weekend and has 17 since June 26 to lead the majors. In his past three starts, the 28-year-old National League baseball Cy Young hopeful has allowed 11 earned runs in 16 innings and gone 1-2.
Gonzalez’s night was also done after the rain delay, but there was no cooling LeMahieu, who almost hit his second home run of the game off Petit in the fifth – the ball hit just below the top of the wall – but settled for a stand-up triple. The homer marked a career high for Freeman, who hit 23 in two previous seasons.
Shortstop Dansby Swanson will have his contract selected from double-A MS on Wednesday, the Braves announced Tuesday night. He was designated for assignment Wednesday.
Just as Erick Aybar started to show some signs of life at the plate, the Braves dealt him to the Tigers as an injury replacement for Jose Iglesias. Aviles never reported to the team.
Advertisement
Rockies: RHP Tyler Chatwood (back spasms) could skip his next start or be placed on the 15-day disabled list, Weiss said.
