D-backs’ top pick Dansby Swanson debuts in Hillsboro
Aug 13, 2015, 7:16 AM
It’s been over two months since the Arizona Diamondbacks selected shortstop Dansby Swanson with the top overall pick of the 2015 MLB Draft.
The Vanderbilt All-American made his long-awaited professional debut Wednesday night for the Hillsboro Hops of the Short-A Northwest League.
Swanson batted second, going 0-for-2 with a run scored, a walk and two strikeouts in the Hops’ 3-2 win over the Vancouver Canadians at Ron Tonkin Field in Hillsboro.
“It’s cool, I mean at the end of the day, it’s just another game, but I’m excited. I’m glad to be here,” Swanson told MiLB.com. “It’s been seven weeks since I last played. Just trying to get back into the routine would be nice. Hopefully I’ll put the ball in play tomorrow.”
Dansby Swanson's first professional at-bat for the @HillsboroHops pic.twitter.com/3GVYltgD48
— Danny Moran (@DannyJMoran) August 13, 2015
Swanson helped lead Vanderbilt to a second straight College World Series Final back in June, but the Commodores fell to Virginia two games to one.
His debut was delayed when he was hit in the face by a pitch thrown by Yoan Lopez in a simulated game at D-backs minor league headquarters at Salt River Fields on July 23.
MLB.com has Swanson ranked as Arizona’s top prospect and the 12th-best in all of baseball.
Swanson wasn’t the only former first-round pick in action Wednesday. Stryker Trahan, Arizona’s top pick in 2012 (26th overall) is on a rehab assignment in Hillsboro from Single-A Visalia. In his first game back, Trahan went 0-for-2 with a run scored and two walks.
Alex Young, Arizona’s second-round pick out of TCU, struck out the side in the ninth inning, earning his first professional save.
The Hops continue their series against Vancouver Thursday night.
