The Pirates are in agreement with first-round pick Travis Swaggerty, reports Jim Callis of MLB.com (via Twitter). The former University of South Alabama center fielder’s deal, which is still pending a physical, will promise him a $4.4MM signing bonus. That checks in a bit shy of the No. 10 overall slot’s value of $4,560,200.
Swaggerty, 20, was one of the more well-rounded bats in the draft. His junior season with the Jaguars saw him bat .296/.455/.526 with 13 homers, 10 doubles and nine steals (14 attempts) over the course of 57 games and 277 plate appearances. Kiley McDaniel and Eric Longenhagen of Fangraphs ranked Swaggerty fourth in the draft class, as did ESPN’s Keith Law (subscription required). Jim Callis and Jonathan Mayo of MLB.com rated Swaggerty 11th among draft-eligible prospects, as did the team over at Baseball America (subscription link).
Swaggerty draws average or better ratings for each of his tools, with his current calling card coming in the form of plus speed and defense in center field. He drew plenty of walks this season, and most scouting reports agree that he’s added some strength and lift to his swing, giving him solid power potential as well. MLB.com’s report suggested Brett Gardner as a loose comparison, noting that Swaggerty has more power and less speed than Gardner had at this point in his career. Fangraphs’ report notes that he has some mechanical issues in his swing that prevented him from performing at a level that’s more commensurate with his tantalizing set of tools, so the Pirates will work to further hone his approach at the plate as he transitions into pro ball.
good for Travis. Get him into A-ball right away, get some valuable playing time and gear up for full season next year. Congratulations Mr. Swaggerty! (ps – great name)
SWAG
I’m going to be following the career of Liberatore (whom I wanted) and see which one has the better career. As a Bucco fan, I hope it is Swag, but time will tell.
I would have loved Liberatore too to get another lefty starter in the system to throw in the mix with Baz, Kranick, Ogle, McGregor, and all the other arms stockpiled in the lower minors. At least the Delvin Perez/Will Craig debate is leveling off a bit 🙂
I wanted Ned Ryerson, but I like Swaggerty, he will do just as good.
Needlenose Ned had a sweet curveball!
Go Jags!!!
One of the best names in the draft. Swag is an obvious, built in nickname. As an avid Steelers fan and just fan of the smaller market/underdog in general, I always wish the Pirates well.
I feel like someone needs to make a highlight reel of this kid set to a customized version of the Bee Gees song Tragedy called ‘Swaggerty.’
“With the Pirates down and the game’s still on,
It’s Swaggerty!”
As a Bee Gees fan, I think this is a fantastic idea.
Disco sucks. Deep Purple rules!
Well this will be Meadows replacement in 3 or 4 years
They have Meadows for 6…please can they replace the Great Gregory Polanco asap?
I think Meadows IS replacing Polanco. Anyhow, I’d rather they try to sign Dickerson to a longer term contract. Hang on to Marte too unless they get an offer they can’t refuse.
Meadows is under potential control through 2023, with two options of his own in 2022 and 2023. If Meadows performs, they will most likely trade him before free agency and a few arb years.
I also wanted Liberatore but I’m not a scout. Kiley and Eric at FG are and they put Swaggerty on their updated Top 120 prospects (he was in the top 100, I believe) and Liberatore was not, so…
Mize, Madrigal and one other guy from this draft (Bart or Bohm, I think) are the only other 2018 picks ranked higher than Swaggerty
Sounds like their sandwich pick and second round picks are solid SP prospects so it seems like a good draft at first glance.
And he’s likely to play alongside Meadows one day…as Marte’s eventual replacement. Every report I’ve seen says Swaggerty is projected to stay in CF.
One thing huntington and company has done very well is to keep the supply of outfielders in the majors and minors pretty well stocked. Jason Martin, the fourth piece of the Gerrit Cole trade, is tearing up AA and due to move up. Luplow is pretty much ready to step in as a fourth outfielder when Dickerson leaves and they have lolo sanchez, cal mitchell, jared oliva and now swaggerty in the lowel minors.
Swaggy T
The only thing I really don’t like is the fact he batted.296 at southern Alabama, and his hit tool was supposed to be high.
But not my team so don’t have to worry about it, I have midget to worry about..