Atlanta Braves Promoting Albies, Swanson

Albies’ Agent Broke News: He goes to AAA Gwinnett; Swanson to replace him at AA Mississippi

Just when you thought it might be safe to sleep in a bit on a damp Saturday morning in Braves Country comes this tweet in the middle of the night from the SportsMeter agency:

This is the sports agent who boasts Ozzie Albies as a client.  The news has been confirmed – and expanded upon – this morning (by both Bowman and David O’Brien):

‘They’ll let us know when they’re ready’

This line has been the mantra from the organization regarding both Dansby Swanson and Curacao native Ozhaino Jurdy Jiandro Albies… and anyone else we’ve been clamoring to see, for that matter.  But even this is sooner than expected.  In just this first month of play, this pair hasn’t been merely demonstrating their readiness for a new challenge:  they’ve been shouting it.

• ALBIES:  .369/.442/.512/.954 with 10 walks and 13 K in 84 AB.
• SWANSON:  .333/.441/.526/.967 with 15 walks and 13 K in 78 AB.

Since starting the season with his worst game (0-4, 2 K), Albies has been on a tear:  hits in all but 3 games, 2K in a game once since.  In his last 5 contests, he’s goen 10 for 18 with 4 walks and 1 K.

Swanson has been more consistent – getting his hits in 1’s and 2’s, but likewise has just 3 hitless games since April 8th, but with doubles in each of his last 3 games… along with 5 walks.  They already fear pitching to these guys!

Curiously enough, Swanson actually has more stolen bases at this point than Albies:  7 in 8 tries, while the speedy Albies (grade 65) has been caught 3 times/successful twice.

While neither player is exactly known for power, each has recorded a homer in April over the 21 and 22 games played thus far (yes – Albies did too – all of 160 pounds dripping wet).  Swanson has been smashing doubles (12) all around while Albies has 5 of those and a triple.  Both were near the top of their league in hitting (Ozzie 2nd, Swanson 7th).

Do not forget, either, that Albies just turned 19 in January and is besting competition far older than he.  This next step up will only widen that gap.  Even Swanson at 22 will still be a couple of years younger than the average in the Southern League.

Positions Still Undecided

Both players are still listed at shortstop, and both have played well there thus far.

Albies joins a Gwinnett team that has been using Sean Kazmar (.246 and 1 for his last 17) at shortstop since Daniel Castro‘s promotion.  Albies will be beside 3B prospect Rio Ruiz, who is hitting .329/.387/.458/.845 early on – another youngster (will be 22 in May) on the Gwinnett roster.  That should be fun to watch.

Swanson is added to a Mississippi roster that has been having trouble hitting and scoring outside of Albies and a couple of others.  Willians Astudillo is the next-best hitter at .283.  Dustin Peterson has provided some power with 3 HR, but is hitting .268.  The lower parts of the lineup have a bunch of strikeouts between them (Dian Toscano, Carlos Franco, Jacob Schrader, Matt Lipka, Jordy Lara).

The best part of the M-Braves attack – other than Albies – has been their pitching.  Lucas Sims was already promoted, but Chris Ellis and Brandon Barker has also been shutting down opponents regularly.  Hopefully Swanson can help out the offense.

These quick rises do suggest that their major league futures could easily happen sooner than later… as Mark Bowman echoes this thought:

Congratulations to both of these players!