History of Dansby Swanson in Timeline

James Dansby Swanson is a professional baseball shortstop currently playing for the Chicago Cubs in MLB. He was drafted first overall by the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2015. Prior to joining the Cubs, he played for the Atlanta Braves. Swanson is a well-known figure in professional baseball.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1974: Last College Shortstop Drafted First Overall

In 1974, Bill Almon was the last college shortstop before Dansby Swanson to be drafted first overall in the MLB Draft.

1985: Last Brave with First Career Inside-the-Park Home Run

Dansby Swanson's first major league home run was inside-the-park, the first Brave since Paul Runge in 1985 to have his first career home run fall inside the park.

February 11, 1994: Dansby Swanson Born

On February 11, 1994, James Dansby Swanson was born. He is an American professional baseball shortstop.

Others born on this day/year

1995: Braves Last World Series Win

The Braves' 2021 World Series win was their first since 1995.

2001: Braves' Last Inside-the-Park Home Run

Before Dansby Swanson's inside-the-park home run, the last inside-the-park home run for the Braves was by Wes Helms in 2001.

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 instead.

2012: Declines Rockies Offer

In 2012, despite being drafted by the Colorado Rockies, Swanson opted to play college baseball for the Vanderbilt Commodores, honoring his commitment.

2013: Limited Freshman Season

During Vanderbilt's 2013 season, Dansby Swanson's freshman year, injuries and youth limited him to only 11 games.

2014: Starting Second Baseman

After Tony Kemp left Vanderbilt, in 2014 Swanson became the Commodores' starting second baseman. He finished the regular SEC season with a team-leading .366 batting average. Vanderbilt ultimately won the College World Series, with Swanson named the CWS Most Outstanding Player.

2014: Consecutive Starts

Between 2014 and 2015, Swanson made 117 consecutive starts for Vanderbilt.

2014: Shoulder Surgery

During the offseason before the 2014 season, Swanson underwent shoulder surgery and exercised to prepare for his sophomore season.

2014: College World Series Champion

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

August 13, 2015: Professional Debut

On August 13, 2015, Dansby Swanson made his professional debut for the Low-A Hillsboro Hops, going 0-for-2.

December 9, 2015: Traded to Atlanta Braves

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

2015: Moves to Shortstop

Going into the 2015 college baseball season, Dansby Swanson moved to shortstop. He finished the regular season with a .347 batting average and was named to the All-SEC Second Team. He won the Brooks Wallace Award.

2015: Joins Diamondbacks

In 2015, Dansby Swanson left Vanderbilt and began his professional baseball career with the Diamondbacks.

2015: Brooks Wallace Award

In 2015, Dansby Swanson shifted back to shortstop and won the Brooks Wallace Award for the best collegiate baseball player at that position.

2015: SEC Tournament and NCAA Tournament

In 2015, Dansby Swanson tied SEC Tournament single-game records with two home runs. Vanderbilt finished second in the SEC Tournament and lost to Virginia in the CWS finals.

2015: Drafted by Arizona Diamondbacks

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

August 2016: MLB Debut

In August 2016, Dansby Swanson made his MLB debut.

August 16, 2016: MLB Debut with Braves

On August 16, 2016, Dansby Swanson was called up to Atlanta and made his MLB debut, recording his first two major league hits.

2017: Sophomore Slump and Demotion

In 2017, Dansby Swanson began the season in a sophomore slump and was eventually demoted to Triple-A Gwinnett Stripers on July 27. He was later recalled to the Braves on August 9 after an injury to Johan Camargo.

2017: Braves Opening Day Roster

In 2017, Dansby Swanson was the only Atlanta rookie named to the Braves' Opening Day roster.

September 25, 2018: Wrist Injury

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, thus ending his regular season.

2018: Season Derailed by Injuries

Dansby Swanson's 2018 season was repeatedly derailed by wrist and hand injuries.

2018: Wrist Injury and Offensive Struggles

In 2018, Dansby Swanson began the season on a hot streak but suffered a wrist injury in April, leading to offensive struggles and a stint on the disabled list. He showed improvement in August but struggled again in September.

2019: Bruised Heel Injury

In 2019, Dansby Swanson missed a month of the season with a bruised heel.

January 10, 2020: Contract Extension with the 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.

2021: World Series Champion

In 2021, Dansby Swanson won a championship title in the World Series, the Braves' first since 1995.

September 30, 2022: 100th Career Home Run and Gold Glove Award

On September 30, 2022, Dansby Swanson hit his 100th career home run against Jacob deGrom of the New York Mets. At the end of the season, Swanson won his first Gold Glove Award.