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Swanson Makes Most of Braves Call Up, Keeps Rookie Status for 2017

By Blake Silvers

Aug 31, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Braves shortstop Dansby Swanson (2) signs autographs for fans before a game against the San Diego Padres at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 31, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Braves shortstop Dansby Swanson (2) signs autographs for fans before a game against the San Diego Padres at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Braves made the decision to call up 2015 first overall draft pick Dansby Swanson from double-A Mississippi late in the season, and the timing turned out to be perfect.

When the Atlanta Braves traded Andrelton Simmons to the Angels back in November, Braves fans were distraught. After watching his mastery of the shortstop position during four seasons in Atlanta, it was hard to let go of Simba, and who would replace such an amazing talent?

The very next month that question would be answered, and in a huge way. How about the first overall pick of the 2015 draft? How about a hometown kid to boot? With the Shelby Miller trade, the Braves’ solution between second and third base was answered, and the move panned out in a big way. The answer at shortstop was Dansby Swanson.

WITH THE SHELBY MILLER TRADE, THE BRAVES’ SOLUTION BETWEEN SECOND AND THIRD BASE WAS ANSWERED, AND THE MOVE PANNED OUT IN A BIG WAY

After being called up straight from double-A, Swanson immediately showed that he belonged at the big league level. His .277 minor league batting average made him suspect to some, but in the bigs, Swanson had no trouble hitting .302 against top pitchers in 129 at bats. To those who had seen him play in person, that likely came as no surprise.

That at bat total is extremely significant, because the threshold for losing rookie status is 130 in one season. So on Sunday, as the Braves called it quits at Turner Field, Swanson’s team won 1-0, surviving an amazing outing from Detroit’s Justin Verlander; a pitching performance that may have very well set the Braves shortstop up for a Rookie of the Year chase in 2017.

Related Story: Finale Follows Script as Atlanta Braves Close the Curtain on Turner Field

Swanson openly stated that he wanted as many at bats as he could get, and wasn’t concerned about his rookie status going forward. “The ultimate goal is not for me to win Rookie of the Year, the ultimate goal is for me to be as prepared as I can be and help us win,” the Braves shortstop told the AJC’s David O’Brien during the final series with Detroit. How about literally getting as many bats as possible, yet still keeping the rookie tag? That’s exactly what happened.

Next: Let the Atlanta Braves’ Off-Season Begin!

So for the 2017 season in a brand new ballpark, white-hot momentum, and a farm system overflowing with top talent, the Atlanta Braves could also find themselves with a star shortstop in the hunt for a Rookie of the Year trophy.

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