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Blake Swihart

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Blake Swihart
Swihart with the Boston Red Sox
Free agent
Catcher/Utility
Born:(1992-04-03)April 3, 1992(age 32)
Bedford, Texas,U.S.
Bats:Switch
Throws:Right
MLB debut
May 2, 2015, for the Boston Red Sox
MLB statistics
(through 2019 season)
Batting average.243
Home runs12
Runs batted in67
Teams
Career highlights and awards

Blake Aubry Swihart(born April 3, 1992) is an Americanprofessional baseballcatcherandoutfielderwho is a free agent. He has previously played inMajor League Baseball(MLB) for theBoston Red SoxandArizona Diamondbacks.Listed at 6 feet 1 inch (1.85 m) and 205 pounds (93 kg), he throws right-handed and is aswitch hitter.

Amateur career

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Blake attendedV. Sue Cleveland High SchoolinRio Rancho, New Mexico,where he competed inbasketball,baseball,andfootball.Playing mainly as ashortstop,he had a.602batting average(56-for-93) with 17doubles,fivetriples,fivehome runs,41runs batted in(RBIs) and 58runsscored in 28 games as a senior. As apitcher,Swihart's fastball could reach 85 miles per hour (137 km/h) before he began high school, and was up to 98 miles per hour (158 km/h) by the time he was a junior. However, it was during his junior season that Swihart quit pitching because he preferred to hit, and it was also during his junior season when Swihart first began playingcatcher.[1]

In 2009, Blake attendedRio Rancho High School,where he helped the Rio Rancho Rams win a State Championship, leading the team in multiple offensive categories. Blake played under longtime head coach Ron Murphy. Blake played for the Rams for two seasons before Sue Cleveland was built, which prompted him to change schools as he lived in the new boundaries.

Blake played forUSA Baseball's 18-Under National Team in 2010 and led his team with a.448 average, earning Louisville Slugger All-American honors. For Team USA, Swihart playedfirst baseandleft field.[1]He played in the 2010 Aflac All-American High School Baseball Classic.[2]Off of the baseball field, Swihart had a 4.0 GPA.[1]He committed to attend theUniversity of Texas at Austinon acollege baseballscholarship.[3]His best friend isAlex Bregman,who plays for theHouston Astros,with whom he grew up playing travel ball.[4][5]

Professional career

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Boston Red Sox

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The Red Sox selected Swihart in the first round, with the 26th overall selection of the2011 MLB Draft.He became the highest-drafted player out of New Mexico sinceShane Andrewsin 1990.[2]Though he played as ashortstopin high school, the Red Sox converted Swihart into acatcherbecause of his athleticism and strong throwing arm.[6][7]The Red Sox signed Swihart, giving him a $2.5 millionsigning bonusto convince him to bypass his commitment to the University of Texas.[8][9]

Minor leagues

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Swihart played briefly in therookie-levelGulf Coast Leaguein 2011 with theGCL Red Sox,then received consecutive promotions to theGreenville Driveof theSingle–ASouth Atlantic Leaguein 2012, and theSalem Red Soxof theHigh–ACarolina Leaguein 2013.

Prior to the 2014 season, Swihart was named the 73rd-best prospect byBaseball America.[10]He began the 2014 season with thePortland Sea Dogsof theDouble–AEastern League.In August, the Red Sox promoted Swihart, with pitching prospectHenry Owens,to thePawtucket Red Soxof theTriple–AInternational League.[11]Swihart was ranked as the second highest-ranked prospect in the Red Sox organization for the 2014 season, according toMLB.com.[12]

Swihart was added to Boston's40-man rosterin November 2014.[13]With fellow prospectChristian Vázquezconsidered more developmentally advanced, the Red Sox assigned Swihart to Pawtucket to gain more experience at the Triple–A level. However, Vázquez later underwent surgery and was ruled out for the entire 2015 season.[14]

Major leagues

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2015–2017

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Swihart (right) with pitcherEduardo Rodríguezin June 2015

On May 2, 2015, Swihart was called up to the big leagues for the first time, after catcherRyan Haniganwas placed on thedisabled listwith a broken finger.[15]On that day, Swihart recorded his first major league hit, against theNew York Yankees.[16]On June 4, Swihart hit his first major league home run in the third inning of an 8–4 loss to theMinnesota Twins.A switch-hitter, Swihart hit the home run from the right side of the plate off Twins' starterTommy Milone.At 23 years old, Swihart became the youngest Red Sox catcher to hit a home run sinceRich Gedmanin 1982.[17]When Swihart facedPat Venditteon June 5, Venditte saw he was batting using a rightybatting helmet.Venditte then requested to switch his throwing arm (Venditte could pitch with either arm), and Swihart also changed his helmet. Swihart would strike out later, for Venditte's first strikeout. On August 28, Swihart hit an inside-the-park home run in the 10th inning of a 6–4 win over theNew York Mets.[18]On September 29, against Yankees, Swihart had his first career multi-home run game and a career high of five RBIs.[19]Overall, with the2015 Red Sox,Swihart appeared in 84 games, batting.274 with five home runs and 31 RBIs. Defensively, all of his appearances were as catcher.[20]

Swihart started playing left field for the 2016 season, and split time between Pawtucket (29 games) and Boston (19 games). With the2016 Red Sox,he hit.258 with no home runs and five RBIs, while making six appearances at catcher and 13 in left field.[21]During 2017, Swihart again split time between Boston (six games) and Pawtucket (53 games), while also playing nine games with the GCL Red Sox. With the2017 Red Sox,he batted 1-for-5 (.200), while defensively appearing in four games at catcher.[22]

2018–2019

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Swihart was converted into autility playerfor 2018; he played first base, third base, catcher, and left field duringspring training.[citation needed]In mid-May, his agent asked the Red Sox to trade Swihart, given his limited playing time with the team.[23]At the time, Swihart was hitting.138 (4-for-29) in 32plate appearances,having played games at catcher, first base, left field, anddesignated hitter.Swihart was placed on the disabled list on August 3, with a righthamstring strain.[24]To that point in the season, he had appeared in 51 games, batting.226 with one home run and six RBIs. He returned to the active roster on August 14.[24]Swihart played throughout the season as a bench player, appearing in 82 games and batting.229/.285/.328 with three home runs. In the postseason, Swihart played two innings in the outfield and caught one inning, going 0-for-3 at the plate, as the Red Sox won theWorld Seriesin five games over theLos Angeles Dodgers.[25]

Swihart started the 2019 season as one of two catchers for Boston, along withChristian Vázquez,asSandy Leónwas outrighted to theminor leagues.[26]Swihart wasdesignated for assignmenton April 16, to make space for León on the roster.[27][28]Swihart had appeared in six games with the2019 Red Sox,batting 6-for-26 (.231) with one home run and four RBIs.

Arizona Diamondbacks

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On April 19, 2019, theArizona Diamondbacksacquired Swihart, along with international signing bonus pool money, from Boston in exchange for outfielderMarcus Wilson.[29][30]Swihart was designated for assignment on August 12, 2019. He elected free agency on October 1, 2019.

Texas Rangers

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On December 16, 2019, Swihart signed a minor league contract with theTexas Rangers.[31]On August 25, 2020, Swihart was released by the Rangers organization.[32]

Washington Nationals

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On January 27, 2021, Swihart signed a minor league contract with theWashington Nationalsorganization that included an invitation to Spring Training.[33]In 70 games for the Triple-ARochester Red Wings,Swihart slashed.198/.299/.339 with 5 home runs and 17 RBI. On September 13, 2021, he was released.[34]

Lexington Legends

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On April 20, 2022, Swihart signed with theLexington Legendsof theAtlantic League of Professional Baseball.[35]In 53 games, he batted.157/.297/.281 with 4 home runs and 15 RBI. Swihart was released by the Legends on September 1.

Charleston Dirty Birds

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On April 24, 2024, Swihart signed with theCharleston Dirty Birdsof theAtlantic League of Professional Baseball.[36]In four games for Charleston, he went 0–for–7 with six walks. On May 3, Swihart was released by the Dirty Birds.[37]

On May 8, 2024, Swihart signed with theDorados de Chihuahuaof theMexican League.[38]However, he did not appear in a game for the club, and was released on May 31.[39]

Personal life

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His father, Arlan, is anuclear engineerand played basketball forSouthern Illinois University.[1]Swihart and his wife, Shelby, were married in 2017.[40]

Swihart's older brother, Jace, serves in theUnited States Army.He has a younger sister, Kacie.[41]Swihart's parents, Carla and Arlan, adopted Romel Jordan, a family friend who came to live with them during high school. Jordan playedrunning backfor theUniversity of New Mexico.Jordan died at age 23 in 2019.[42]

References

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  1. ^abcdNormandin, Marc (February 18, 2015)."Blake Swihart was always amazing at everything".Over the Monster.RetrievedNovember 17,2015.
  2. ^ab"Sox-Prospects.com – Blake Swihart page".
  3. ^"Risky business for Boston with catcher pick".Boston Red Sox.Archived fromthe originalon April 5, 2015.RetrievedMay 2,2015.
  4. ^Jesse Burkhart (May 21, 2015)."LSU's Alex Bregman Firmly Among the Top-10 Draft Prospects".Fangraphs.
  5. ^John Manuel (May 8, 2015)."MLB Mock Draft 2015: Version 1.0".Baseball America.
  6. ^"Decision to make Swihart catcher paying off".Boston Red Sox.Archived fromthe originalon December 6, 2014.RetrievedMay 2,2015.
  7. ^"Why Red Sox prospect Blake Swihart is his 'own breed of catcher' (15-second edition)".Full Count.Archived fromthe originalon December 2, 2014.RetrievedMay 2,2015.
  8. ^"Red Sox sign first-round catcher Blake Swihart for $2.5 million".Full Count.Archived fromthe originalon June 30, 2015.RetrievedMay 2,2015.
  9. ^"Cleveland's Swihart signs with Boston".Rio Rancho Observer.RetrievedMay 2,2015.
  10. ^"2014 Baseball America Top 100 Prospects: The 25th Edition".BaseballAmerica.com.RetrievedMay 2,2015.
  11. ^"Stock Watch: Henry Owens, Blake Swihart rise together".MiLB.com.RetrievedMay 2,2015.
  12. ^"2014 Top 20 Red Sox Prospects".Archived fromthe originalon March 28, 2014.
  13. ^"Blake Swihart, Three Others Added To Boston Red Sox's 40-Man Roster".NESN.com.RetrievedMay 2,2015.
  14. ^"Blake Swihart's timetable to the majors now that Christian Vazquez is out".masslive.com.April 3, 2015.RetrievedMay 2,2015.
  15. ^"Ryan Hanigan needs surgery, so the Red Sox will call up prospect Blake Swihart - HardballTalk".nbcsports.com.May 2, 2015.RetrievedMay 2,2015.
  16. ^"Eovaldi, Gardy lead Yankees past Red Sox".mlb.com.RetrievedMay 2,2015.
  17. ^"Red Sox's Blake Swihart swats first homer".Major League Baseball.RetrievedNovember 17,2015.
  18. ^"Blake Swihart's Inside-The-Park Homer Highlights Wild Win Over Mets".NESN.com.August 29, 2015.RetrievedNovember 17,2015.
  19. ^"Blake Swihart, Red Sox get jump, beat Yankees for 5th win in row".BostonGlobe.com.RetrievedNovember 17,2015.
  20. ^"The 2015 BOS A Regular Season Batting Log for Blake Swihart".Retrosheet.RetrievedJune 19,2019.
  21. ^"The 2016 BOS A Regular Season Batting Log for Blake Swihart".Retrosheet.RetrievedJune 19,2019.
  22. ^"The 2017 BOS A Regular Season Batting Log for Blake Swihart".Retrosheet.RetrievedJune 19,2019.
  23. ^"Blake Swihart's agent asks Red Sox for trade".ESPN.May 16, 2018.RetrievedMay 16,2018.
  24. ^ab"Red Sox Roster & Staff – Transactions".MLB.com.August 2018. Archived fromthe originalon March 28, 2019.RetrievedAugust 14,2018.
  25. ^"Boston Red Sox win 2018 World Series".MLB.RetrievedOctober 29,2018.
  26. ^Silverman, Michael (March 25, 2019)."Red Sox notebook: Sandy Leon the odd man out".Boston Herald.RetrievedMarch 25,2019.
  27. ^Abraham, Peter (April 16, 2019)."Red Sox designate Blake Swihart for assignment and bring up Sandy Leon".The Boston Globe.RetrievedApril 16,2019.
  28. ^"Red Sox Roster & Staff – Transactions".MLB.com.April 2019. Archived fromthe originalon April 5, 2019.RetrievedApril 16,2019.
  29. ^"Diamondbacks' Blake Swihart: Dealt to Arizona".CBS Sports.April 19, 2019.RetrievedApril 19,2019.
  30. ^Thomas, Kari (April 19, 2019)."Blake Swihart traded to the Diamondbacks".fantasypros.com.RetrievedApril 19,2019.
  31. ^"Texas inks Joely Rodriguez to 2-year contract".MLB.com.December 16, 2019.RetrievedDecember 16,2019.
  32. ^"Rangers Release Blake Swihart".August 25, 2020.
  33. ^"Nationals Sign Blake Swihart".January 27, 2021.
  34. ^"Nationals Release Derek Dietrich, Blake Swihart".September 13, 2021.
  35. ^Atlantic League Transactions
  36. ^"Charleston Dirty Birds Set Opening Day Roster".oursportscentral.com.April 25, 2024.RetrievedApril 25,2024.
  37. ^"Transactions".baseball.pointstreak.com.RetrievedMay 3,2024.
  38. ^"LMB: Movimientos en listas de reserva - 8 de mayo de 2024".milb.com.RetrievedMay 9,2024.
  39. ^"Blake Swihart Stats, Age, Position, Height, Weight, Fantasy & News".milb.com.RetrievedJune 23,2024.
  40. ^https://registry.theknot.com/shelby-lucero-blake-swihart-december-2017-ca/19560527
  41. ^Smith, Christopher (May 25, 2015)."Boston Red Sox's Blake Swihart says of Army veteran brother Jace Swihart: 'He's a hero in my eyes'".masslive.com.RetrievedApril 23,2019.
  42. ^Smith, Christopher (February 27, 2019)."Romell Jordan, Boston Red Sox catcher Blake Swihart's brother, dies at 23".masslive.com.RetrievedApril 23,2019.

Further reading

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