6. Dansby Swanson, shortstop, Atlanta Braves
We will not mention the trade. You know the trade I’m talking about. The uneven trade that occurred during Winter Meetings in 2015 with Shelby Miller, Ender Inciarte, and a few others. Well, the dust has settled in regards to that discussion, and a star was born in Atlanta.
Shortstop Dansby Swanson is a Vanderbilt product who was drafted by the Diamondbacks in the first round of the 2015 draft. Following the trade, he has made a name for himself with the Atlanta Braves.
The 23-year-old had a speedy journey through the minors, and over two major league seasons he has a .234/.299/.340 line with five home runs and 24 RBI. He’s regressed slightly this season increasing his strikeout rate to 25.6-percent which was already high last season.
Swanson is showing signs of more patience in the box and is continuously stellar on defense. Even better, he still packs star power.