![]() In 2021, it was David Bednar, then in 2022, Oneil Cruz received a few votes. The Pittsburgh Pirates have had a player receive National League Rookie of the Year votes in the last two seasons. He’s put together a nice spring and given the Pirates’ brass a lot to think about.Multiple Players Receive Rookie of the Year Votes However things shake out this season, it may be Swaggerty’s last chance to maintain a 40-man spot with the influx of higher-regarded prospects knocking on the doorstep of the Major Leagues. This would give the Pirates another option to use McCutchen as the designated hitter and give Swaggerty more starts in the outfield. Even then, he’d still be useful as a late-inning replacement to limit McCutchen’s innings in the outfield. It may end up that Swaggerty becomes a bench player for the Pirates. It’s safe to say that Swaggerty has faced tons of adversity and continues to overcome it on his path toward a full-time role in Pittsburgh. That kind of news so early in your professional career would weigh heavily on your mind. Obviously, the COVID-19 pandemic wiped out an entire season of development for him as well.Įven soon after he was drafted, his now-wife Peyton was diagnosed with cancer. Those injuries hampered his season early but he then rebounded and played well down the stretch in the minors after his Major League cup of coffee. In 2022, he had another injury, this time to his left-throwing shoulder, and a concussion. In June of 2021, Swaggerty was playing a game in Triple-A and tore up his shoulder diving back into first base on a pickoff attempt. Swaggerty’s injuries have not been ones that were a quick rehab stint and return. You’d like to think injuries are what held him back and a fully healthy season could make him a relevant piece to future contending Pirates teams. The talent seems to be there after he was a top-10 pick in the draft. Sooner or later, the Pirates have to find out what Travis Swaggerty is. He is also having a good spring and making his own case. Smith-Njigba, the brother of likely NFL draft pick Jaxon, is a stocky but quick outfielder. ![]() Suwinski struggled last season anywhere that wasn’t PNC Park and struck out at more than a 30% clip. Joe is more of a depth piece that was drafted by the Pirates back in 2014 and found his way back through trade. With Reynolds and McCutchen likely manning two of the three outfield spots, Swaggerty’s strong spring could play him into a starting role to open the season. Canaan Smith-Njigba got hurt in the early part of the year last season but is another young outfielder in the Pirates’ system.īringing Swaggerty north with the Opening Day roster could be a boost to his confidence. Youngsters Jack Suwinski and Ji Hwan Bae are bubble guys trying to make it. Bryan Reynolds is going to man centerfield if he isn’t traded. Pittsburgh signed veterans Andrew McCutchen and Connor Joe this off-season. The 25-year-old hit his third home run of the spring on Saturday and is making a case to crack the 26-man roster. However, guys like Swaggerty need to use Spring Training to make the roster. Spring Training stats may not mean much to the general public. That’s why he is using this spring to make a case to head north with the Buccos. Swaggerty is one of the old regime’s first-rounders so those players typically don’t get as many chances with new front offices. The outfielder will turn 26 this season and still has yet to make a mark on the Pirates’ roster. Travis Swaggerty’s Pittsburgh Pirate Dreams Pirates Could Use Breakout From Travis Swaggerty 22 prospect Travis Swaggerty unloads for a 439-foot solo shot to right: /5kekQrIpo3
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