With the top overall pick of the 2015 First-Year Player Draft, the Arizona Diamondbacks selected Vanderbilt shortstop Dansby Swanson.
Swanson is coming off a junior campaign in which he batted .348/.441/.648 with 14 home runs in 253 at-bats. This season, Swanson transitioned from second base to shortstop well enough to increase his already-high draft stock. As a sophomore, Swanson was named the Most Outstanding Player in the College World Series. Some scouts project high doubles and 10-15 homer power with plus baserunning.
Some scouting footage from earlier this year …
On Monday, Swanson homered and doubled in Super Regional play against Illinois, as Vandy advanced to the College World Series.
Swanson becomes the first shortstop to be taken first overall since the Astros chose Carlos Correa with the no. 1 pick in 2012. In all, he’s the 12th listed shortstop to be taken first overall. Only right-handed pitchers have been top overall picks as often.
The Diamondbacks picked no. 1 on one prior occasion — in 2005, when they took Justin Upton. As for Swanson, he’s the second Vanderbilt product to go in the top spot, as he joins David Price in 2007.
Vandy’s Dansby Swanson is the top overall pick of the 2015 draft. (USATSI)
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