Career Timeline of Dansby Swanson: Major Achievements and Milestones

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Dansby Swanson made an impact.

James Dansby Swanson is a professional baseball shortstop currently playing for the Chicago Cubs in MLB. He was the first overall pick in the 2015 MLB Draft by the Arizona Diamondbacks but is best known for his time with the Atlanta Braves. He is recognized as one of the top shortstops in the league.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1995: Braves win World Series Championship

In 2021, the Atlanta Braves secured the final out of the game to give the Braves the World Series championship title for the first time since 1995.

1995: Braves Last World Series Win

The 2021 World Series title was the Braves' first since 1995.

2012: Drafted by Colorado Rockies

In 2012, Dansby Swanson was drafted by the Colorado Rockies in the 38th round of the MLB Draft, but he chose not to sign, opting to play college baseball for the Vanderbilt Commodores.

2012: Declined Rockies Offer, Committed to Vanderbilt

In 2012, Dansby Swanson was selected by the Colorado Rockies but chose to play college baseball for Vanderbilt University, after speaking with coach Tim Corbin.

2014: Starting Second Baseman and Home Run

In 2014, Dansby Swanson became Vanderbilt's starting second baseman and hit his first collegiate home run on February 28 in a win against Stanford.

2014: Swanson represents USA Baseball

In 2014, Swanson represented USA Baseball at Haarlem Baseball Week in the Netherlands, leading the team with a .458 batting average. The US team won the gold medal.

2014: College World Series Champion and Most Outstanding Player

In 2014, Vanderbilt Commodores won their first-ever national championship, and Dansby Swanson was named the 2014 College World Series Most Outstanding Player.

August 13, 2015: Professional Debut with Hillsboro Hops

On August 13, 2015, Dansby Swanson made his professional debut with the Low-A Hillsboro Hops, going 0-for-2 with two strikeouts, a walk, and a run scored.

December 9, 2015: Traded to the Atlanta Braves

On December 9, 2015, Dansby Swanson, along with Ender Inciarte and Aaron Blair, was traded from the Diamondbacks to the Atlanta Braves for Shelby Miller and Gabe Speier.

2015: Joined the Diamondbacks

After the 2015 season, Swanson left Vanderbilt to join the Diamondbacks and begin his professional baseball career.

2015: Selected First Overall in MLB Draft

In 2015, Dansby Swanson was selected first overall in the MLB Draft by the Arizona Diamondbacks.

2015: Brooks Wallace Award Winner

In 2015, Dansby Swanson won the Brooks Wallace Award, recognizing him as the best collegiate baseball player at the shortstop position.

2015: Moved to Shortstop

In 2015, Swanson moved to shortstop due to infield changes, and led the SEC in runs scored.

2015: MLB Draft and Signing

In 2015, the Arizona Diamondbacks selected Dansby Swanson first overall in the MLB Draft and he signed with the team on July 17 for a $6.5 million bonus.

August 2016: MLB Debut with the Braves

In August 2016, Dansby Swanson made his MLB debut with the Atlanta Braves.

August 16, 2016: MLB Debut

On August 16, 2016, Dansby Swanson was called up to Atlanta and made his MLB debut, recording two singles in a loss to the Minnesota Twins.

2017: Opening Day Roster, Sophomore Slump, and Demotion

In 2017, Dansby Swanson made the Braves' Opening Day roster but experienced a sophomore slump, leading to a demotion to Triple-A Gwinnett Stripers on July 27 before being recalled on August 9 after an injury to Johan Camargo.

2017: Opening Day Roster and Demotion

In 2017, Dansby Swanson was the only Atlanta rookie named to the Braves' Opening Day roster, but struggled and was sent back to Triple-A in July.

September 25, 2018: Swanson leaves game with wrist pain

On September 25, 2018, Dansby Swanson left a game against the New York Mets in the second inning due to wrist pain, which was later diagnosed as a partially torn ligament in his left hand, sidelining him for the rest of the regular season.

2019: Swanson's Postseason Debut

In 2019, Dansby Swanson participated in his first postseason, being named to the Braves' roster against the St. Louis Cardinals in the NLDS. In Game 3, he hit a game-tying RBI double in the ninth inning. However, the Cardinals won the series.

2019: Offensive power during 2019 spring training

In 2019, Swanson showed a new offensive power during spring training, giving manager Brian Snitker hope that his production would increase. By June 18, Swanson's 13 home runs were one shy of his previous career high.

January 10, 2020: Swanson agrees to contract extension with Braves

On January 10, 2020, Dansby Swanson agreed to a one-year, $3.15 million contract extension with the Braves.

2020: Career-High Batting Average

In 2020, Dansby Swanson set a career-high with a .274 batting average, and his 49 runs scored were third in MLB.

2020: Braves in the 2020 NLDS

In the 2020 NLDS, Swanson's five RBI in the three-game series were the most of any Braves shortstop during a Division Series. The Braves advanced to the National League Championship Series (NLCS) for the first time since 2001.

September 30, 2021: Braves Clinch NL East

On September 30, 2021, the Braves clinched the NL East for the fourth consecutive season, with Swanson contributing two doubles, a home run, and five RBI in the last six games before clinching the title.

2021: Swanson sets single-season home run record

During the 2021 season, Swanson recorded his 500th MLB hit, hit his first major league grand slam on July 22nd, and eventually set a single-season home run record for any Braves shortstop with his home run against the Washington Nationals on August 13th.