Fansided

Top 25 MLB players under 25

By Nicholas Ian Allen

Sep 24, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Washington Nationals right fielder Bryce Harper (34) at bat against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the first inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 24, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Washington Nationals right fielder Bryce Harper (34) at bat against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the first inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 27, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Braves shortstop Dansby Swanson (2) reacts after striking out in the eighth inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Turner Field. The Braves won 7-6. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 27, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Braves shortstop Dansby Swanson (2) reacts after striking out in the eighth inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Turner Field. The Braves won 7-6. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports /

24. Dansby Swanson

SS, Atlanta Braves

  • Birthday: February 11, 1994 (Age: 23)
  • Career Statistics: .302/.361/.442, 3 HR, 17 RBI, 20 R, 0.8 WAR
  • 2016 Statistics: .302/.361/.442, 3 HR, 17 RBI, 20 R, 0.8 WAR

It’s natural for any No. 1 overall draft pick to make quick work of the minor leagues before rising to stardom. But for every Ken Griffey, Jr., Alex Rodriguez, Chipper Jones and Bryce Harper, there’s a Shawn Abner, a Bryan Bullington, or (gasp!) a Brien Taylor.

Dansby Swanson came in somewhere in between A-Rod and Abner on the hype meter, and he may never become a surefire Hall of Famer like Griffey or Chipper, he could be the next Jones in that (though he was drafted No. 1 by the Diamondbacks) he’s going to be the face of the Atlanta Braves for the next decade.

Along with first baseman Freddie Freeman and starter Julio Teheran, the two other players that have seemingly been labeled untouchable for the wheeling and dealing Atlanta front office, Swanson is one of the cornerstones of the Braves rebuilding plans.

The Atlanta native made a strong impression in his first big league action. Swanson hit .302/.361/.442 with three homers and 17 RBI, and scored 20 runs in 38 games. He’s still a rookie, and is one of the favorites to earn NL Rookie of the Year honors in 2017. Entering the season as the No. 2 hitter and everyday starting shortstop for the Braves, he will have every opportunity to win the award.

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