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MLB Power Rankings: Top 25 players under 25

By Joshua Sadlock

ANAHEIM, CA - MAY 17: Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (17) hits a fly ball to left field for an out in the fourth inning of a game against the Tampa Bay Rays played on May 17, 2018 at Angel Stadium of Anaheim in Anaheim, CA. (Photo by John Cordes/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
ANAHEIM, CA - MAY 17: Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (17) hits a fly ball to left field for an out in the fourth inning of a game against the Tampa Bay Rays played on May 17, 2018 at Angel Stadium of Anaheim in Anaheim, CA. (Photo by John Cordes/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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ATLANTA, GA – MAY 20: Dansby Swanson #7 of the Atlanta Braves celebrates after hitting a two-run, game-winning walkoff single in the ninth inning during the game against the Miami Marlins at SunTrust Park on May 20, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Mike Zarrilli/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA – MAY 20: Dansby Swanson #7 of the Atlanta Braves celebrates after hitting a two-run, game-winning walkoff single in the ninth inning during the game against the Miami Marlins at SunTrust Park on May 20, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Mike Zarrilli/Getty Images) /

14. Dansby Swanson

To date, center fielder Ender Inciarte has actually been the best player acquired by the Atlanta Braves in the ill-fated Shelby Miller trade with the Arizona Diamondbacks — ill-fated for Arizona, anyway. Shortstop Dansby Swanson, who was drafted first overall by the Diamondbacks out of Vanderbilt University is still working to establish himself as a key contributor for the Braves.

Swanson got through the minor leagues quickly and was debuting for the Braves in his age-22 season. He hit .302/.361/.442 in 38 games to make the Miller trade look like one of the biggest robberies in recent MLB history. Swanson came crashing back down to earth in 2017, struggling in all facets of the game. He hit just .232/.312/.324 with six home runs and 51 RBI in 144 games. Defense was supposed to be one of Swanson’s calling cards, but he made 20 errors and was worth -7 defensive runs saved at shortstop over the year.

The Braves appear to have gotten Swanson back on track this year. He has hit .282/.326/.411 through his first 31 games and has rated positive defensively. The 24-year-old’s power is trending back in the right direction.

Speed is one of Swanson’s best tools, but the Braves have not let him run much and he has only eight steals in his first 213 MLB games. Atlanta can score runs in bunches without giving up outs on the bases, but they are wasting Swanson’s speed. Overall, he is a high-upside defender who should settle in and hit close to .300 with 15 home runs and over 20 steals if given the green light to run.

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