After finishing with a league worst 98 losses in 2014, the Arizona Diamondbacks locked up the first overall pick in this year’s amateur draft.
Coming down to the wire, and with no clear cut option for the top pick, the Diamondbacks held who they coveted with their selection close to the chest. To start the day, it was reported that they had indeed came to a decision on who they were going to select, but did not release who they had settled on.
For the first time as Commissioner Rob Manfred stepped to the podium to announce that Dave Stewart and the Diamondbacks selected Dansby Swanson from Vanderbilt University.
The Kennesaw, Georgia native emerged has one of the most complete college players in the nation this year, showing great defense at short all the while belting 15 home runs thus far this year (hit his 15th today against Illinois).
Of course, the question with any amateur shortstop will be if he can stick at the position but even if he eventually has to make the move – which some believe won’t be necessary – he still would have a first round grade on him as a second baseman.
Just a year ago, the Diamondbacks believed that their future shortstop was going to be Didi Gregorius, but he was eventually dealt to the New York Yankees in the offseason.
Swanson will finish up his college career with an opportunity to win back-to-back College World Series, before setting sights on a pro career.
