Atlanta Braves: Looking at the projections for Dansby Swanson in 2019

It’s a huge year for Atlanta Braves shortstop Dansby Swanson, so we look at what his projections look like for the upcoming season.

There is no question that one of the most important players for the Atlanta Braves in 2019 is Dansby Swanson.

The now 25-year-old shortstop is coming into a pivotal season after failing to meet expectations again in 2018.

A wrist injury really held him back last season, and then eventually it ended his season early and he wasn’t able to participate in the playoffs.

All-in-all, he hit .238 with a .304 on-base percentage (OBP) last year to go along with 14 home runs, 59 RBI, 51 runs scored, and 10 stolen bases.

I’ll take the 14 home runs and double-digit stolen bases, but he has to improve that average and OBP.

In his career now he’s hitting .243 with a .314 OBP over 1,095 at-bats with 23 home runs, 130 runs scored, 127 RBI, and 16 stolen bases.

That’s not exactly what the front office and Atlanta Braves fans were hoping for when the 2015 first overall pick was called up to end the 2017 season and hit .302 in 129 at-bats.

He was slow coming back this Spring but has swung the bat well despite hitting just .250 in 16 at-bats with no home runs or RBI.

Of the games I’ve been able to watch him play in Spring Training, he’s really squared up some baseballs, he’s just not finding holes in the defense.

The only time he’s looked over-matched at the plate was against Chris Sale, and well, he was facing Chris Sale.

We’ll look at some of the projections out there for Dansby, and then I’ll tell you what Braves fans should hope for.