D-backs Select Dansby Swanson with First Overall Pick

MISSOULA, MONT. - The Arizona Diamondbacks selected Dansby Swanson with the first overall pick in the 2015 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft on Monday night. While baseball writers seemingly agreed that no obvious No. 1 pick ever emerged in this year's draft, Swanson earned the billing of favorite to go to Arizona in the final weeks leading up to Monday's selection.

Swanson, a 6'1", 190-pound shortstop out of the Vanderbilt, was rated the #2 prospect according to MLB.com and Baseball America. Although a broken foot and shoulder injury limited Swanson to just 11 games as a freshman, he returned to full health as a sophomore and helped lead the Commodores to their first-ever national championship. He was named Most Outstanding Player at the College World Series and finished the summer with a strong showing for Team USA en route to being tabbed the top position prospect in the college class entering his junior season.

Making a successful transition from second base to shortstop in 2015, Swanson, a finalist for the Golden Spikes Award (top amateur baseball player) and semifinalist for the Brooks Wallace Award (top collegiate shortstop), has continued to produce at the plate, hitting .350 with 74 runs scored, 23 doubles, six triples and 15 homers to the tune of 62 RBI while guiding the Commodores to their second straight College World Series appearance, and the third in the last five years. A plus runner, Swanson has stolen 16 bases in 18 attempts this season.

According to Baseball America, "Swanson is a well-rounded hitter that has a quick, loose swing that allows him to produce hard contact to all fields. He is a patient hitter who knows how to work a walk and has a sound two-strike approach. He has some pop in his bat, especially when he can turn on the ball, but gears his swing more for hitting line drives. Defensively, he has the athleticism, range and hands necessary for the position. Whether he has a true plus arm remains the subject of some debate, but scouts project he'll stay at shortstop as a professional."

Swanson, an All-American as a sophomore and junior at Vanderbilt, was drafted but did not sign as a 38th-round pick of the Rockies in 2012 out of Marietta High School in Marietta, Ga.

"This is very proud moment of the organization to be able to select Dansby Swanson, an exceptional baseball player that has all of the intangibles and makeup of a championship-type player for which this organization is building a foundation on," D-backs scouting director Deric Ladnier said in a statement. "He has above average defensive ability at the premium position of shortstop, and along with the defensive ability, he has a skilled bat with occasional power, and has proven success at the highest level of competition."

Swanson becomes the second No. 1 overall pick in D-backs history, joining Justin Upton, who was selected as a high school shortstop in 2005. The D-backs will also make the 43rd overall selection on Monday night at approximately 7:27 pm. MST.

The Osprey open the 2015 season on the road against the Helena Brewers June 18. The Osprey home opener is set for June 24 against Helena. Osprey ticket plans are still available and can be purchased at the MSO Hub Box Office, by phone at (406) 543-3300, and online at MissoulaOsprey.com