Headlines

  • Rockies Sign Jurickson Profar
  • Braves Option Vaughn Grissom, Braden Shewmake
  • Jose Altuve To Undergo Surgery On Fractured Thumb
  • Jose Altuve Leaves WBC Game After Hit By Pitch
  • Edwin Diaz Undergoes Surgery To Repair Patellar Tendon
  • Out Of Options 2023
  • Previous
  • Next
Register
Login
  • Hoops Rumors
  • Pro Football Rumors
  • Pro Hockey Rumors

MLB Trade Rumors

  • Home
  • Teams
    • AL East
      • Baltimore Orioles
      • Boston Red Sox
      • New York Yankees
      • Tampa Bay Rays
      • Toronto Blue Jays
    • AL Central
      • Chicago White Sox
      • Cleveland Guardians
      • Detroit Tigers
      • Kansas City Royals
      • Minnesota Twins
    • AL West
      • Houston Astros
      • Los Angeles Angels
      • Oakland Athletics
      • Seattle Mariners
      • Texas Rangers
    • NL East
      • Atlanta Braves
      • Miami Marlins
      • New York Mets
      • Philadelphia Phillies
      • Washington Nationals
    • NL Central
      • Chicago Cubs
      • Cincinnati Reds
      • Milwaukee Brewers
      • Pittsburgh Pirates
      • St. Louis Cardinals
    • NL West
      • Arizona Diamondbacks
      • Colorado Rockies
      • Los Angeles Dodgers
      • San Diego Padres
      • San Francisco Giants
  • About
    • MLB Trade Rumors
    • Tim Dierkes
    • Writing team
    • Advertise
    • Archives
  • Contact
  • Tools
    • 2022-23 MLB Free Agent List
    • Top 50 Free Agents
    • Projected Arbitration Salaries For 2023
    • Transaction Tracker
    • Extension Tracker
    • Arbitration Tracker
    • Agency Database
  • NBA/NFL/NHL
    • Hoops Rumors
    • Pro Football Rumors
    • Pro Hockey Rumors
  • App
  • Chats
Go To Pro Hockey Rumors
Go To Hoops Rumors

Rangers Release Blake Swihart

By Connor Byrne | August 25, 2020 at 6:57pm CDT

The Rangers announced that they’ve released catcher/outfielder Blake Swihart. He had been at the Rangers’ alternate training site as part of their 60-man player pool.

Formerly a high-end prospect with the Red Sox, Swihart appeared in the majors with the club from 2015-19 before it traded him to Arizona last year. The Diamondbacks outrighted Swihart late in the summer, but he stayed with the organization through the end of the season. Swihart then elected free agency over the winter and wound up with the Rangers on a minor league contract.

Back when the Rangers signed Swihart, they were coming off a year in which their catchers were perhaps the least productive in the majors. Their backstops have continued to struggle this season, but Swihart still wasn’t able to make his way to their big league roster. The 28-year-old will return to the open market as the owner of a .243/.301/.355 line with 12 home runs and 10 stolen bases in 696 plate appearances.

Share 0 Retweet 6 Send via email0

Texas Rangers Transactions Blake Swihart

Minor MLB Transactions: 8/25/20
Main
Latest On Yankees’ Search For Pitching Help
View Comments (40)

Comments

  1. AtlSoxFan

    3 years ago

    Oh man…

    Swihart and Refsnyder available AT THE SAME TIME!

    Whoever snaps them up at no prospect cost is a WS lock!

    Reply
    • nymetsking

      3 years ago

      My FAAB budget would be blown.

      Reply
    • phillyphan81

      3 years ago

      You win the day with that comment

      Reply
    • EverlastingDave

      3 years ago

      While I can’t prove it, I think AtlSoxFan beat more people to the punch here than in any previous MLBTR comment.

      Reply
    • costergaard2

      3 years ago

      Rangers are the terminators. Bird, then Ref, then Swihart…

      Reply
    • FredMcGriff for the HOF

      3 years ago

      Get him Yankees.

      Reply
  2. californiaangels

    3 years ago

    Angel’s? worth a flier

    Reply
  3. partyatnapolis

    3 years ago

    never understood why this guy was always considered the next big thing

    Reply
    • AtlSoxFan

      3 years ago

      Well, you’ve got to start with being a C, which is kind of a premium position at the time.

      Next, he was not only a switch hitter, but, he generally showed balance at the time as having actual hit tools from both sides – unlike many who ‘could’ hit in theory, but are average from one side and barely able to hit out of a wet bag on the other.

      Finally, he was YOUNG when first called up. He showed actual promise in calling and defense but needed work. The hit tool was considered advanced for age and level and showed some pop.

      The Red Sox mismanaged the final 1/3 or so of what was supposed to be his development, rushing him up to the show but not giving consistent playing time or ABs after – actually it was VERY sporadic with big gaps between starts. Then they kept pushing him around the diamond into new positions.

      So, at the time he looked like there was a lot there, and a team basically screwed him up and all their jerking him around contributed to his getting hurt playing those unfamiliar positions.

      Reply
      • getrealgone2

        3 years ago

        Yeah that’s a pretty good synopsis.

        Reply
      • gunsafetydwight

        3 years ago

        The Sebastián Telfair of baseball

        Reply
      • mikedickinson

        3 years ago

        Biggest problem is he’s not a catcher. He’s a utility guy. If I’m not mistaken, When he was drafted he was not a catcher full time. Then, he was coming up the save time Vasquez was, who is a MUCH better defensive player. I think this guy could be like another Brock Holt if given the change to play multiple positions.

        Reply
        • darkstar61

          3 years ago

          mikedickinson,

          You can look up his defense. He was highly regarded behind the plate. MLB. had this to say about him while ranking him the best C prospect for 2015

          “While his defense alone could make him a big league regular, Swihart offers offensive promise as well. A switch-hitter proficient from both sides of the plate, he makes consistent hard contact and began to tap into what should become average power last season. He could develop into a .280 hitter with 15 homers per season, though he may not draw many walks because he puts that bat on the ball so easily.”

          And

          “Catcher Blake Swihart, who continues to impress with his consistent approach at the plate and his skills on the defensive side, is ranked No. 18. Though he didn’t become a regular catcher until 2010, Swihart is now the game’s top prospect at the position, reminding many of a young Buster Posey. He threw out 46 percent of potential basestealers in 2014 and didn’t commit a passed ball in 97 games.”

      • JD396

        3 years ago

        Being on a big market team with high expectations and sensationalist writers didn’t help.

        Reply
      • looiebelongsinthehall

        3 years ago

        You neglected to include the injury playing left.

        Reply
      • Ricky Adams

        3 years ago

        Sounds alot like rangers and profar. Dude went from #1 prospect to a mismanaged injury that took 2 seasons to get back on field. Then moved him all over and now hes jumping team to team barely able to stay in majors

        Reply
      • johnsilver

        3 years ago

        Really good synopsis. Seem to recall one of his more serious injuries coming to his ankle, playing of all positions LF at fenway park one time.

        Think he only started catching partially thru his HS days and as most know.. Was drafted out of HS. His defense always lagged behind his hitting. Had he been with some other franchise initially where “fame” not followed? Might have had a much better chance early on of reaching his peak.

        Reply
  4. trendysayings

    3 years ago

    You’re telling me teams have a chance at getting both Swihart AND Refsnyder? Not every day you get the chance to sign 2 future HOFers.

    Reply
  5. CLKR

    3 years ago

    Why make a trade when they’re are 2 HOFers on the market…

    Reply
  6. getrealgone2

    3 years ago

    Swihart and Refsynder could definitely be in the hall of fame. They just have to buy a ticket.

    Reply
    • DarkSide830

      3 years ago

      surely guys in the Hall already get in for free

      Reply
      • lwaba

        3 years ago

        Why trade for Bundy or Lynn when you could get Swihart and Refsyneder.

        Reply
  7. Superstar Car Wash

    3 years ago

    He could still end up being a Hall of Famer, right? Ichiro didn’t make his debut until 27!

    Reply
    • looiebelongsinthehall

      3 years ago

      Wasn’t Ichiro already a lock for the Japanese HOF when he cane to the a United States?

      Reply
      • Ricky Adams

        3 years ago

        Good god I hope ur both kidding

        Reply
  8. pittsburghbob69

    3 years ago

    I can see the Pirates and Ben Cherrington signing him. We need Catchers badly w/ Luke Maile our offseason signing out for the year. He’s 28 years old though, not really a prospect anymore. I don’t see him picking it up now but Cherrington probably knows him best.

    Reply
    • mlbnyyfan

      3 years ago

      Don’t forget about Greg Bird. That’s 3 Hall of Famers Rangers released

      Reply
    • forwhomjoshbelltolls

      3 years ago

      Stallings has been pretty decent, but the Pirates catching depth chart might be the weakest of any position group of any team in any pro sport.

      Fangraphs lists their top 42 prospects. Not one catcher.

      Reply
      • pittsburghbob69

        3 years ago

        Lol, ya, it’s bad. I don’t think Luke Maile would have been bad this year if he didn’t get hurt. And atleast he’s under 30. I don’t think Stallings is any better than a back-up or 3rd Catcher for depth. Every trade I want the Pirates to make would involve a Catcher and Relief Pitching..lol. I would want the Pirates to trade Trevor Williams and Colin Moran to the Braves for W.Contraes and AJ Minter. Trade Adam Frazier to Oakland for J.Helm and Lou Trivino. If we trade Josh Bell, try Texas 1st and try to get Sam Huff. Those would be my 1st try and gets if I was the Pirates GM.

        Reply
        • Cosmodeus

          3 years ago

          Stallings is a guy that a lot of teams would LOVE to have as a second stringer, some as a starter. Such is the state of catching talent in today’s game.

    • ctguy

      3 years ago

      If the Pirates need a catcher, then they don’t need Swihart

      Reply
      • pittsburghbob69

        3 years ago

        I agree; I just think Ben Cherrington, Boston’s former GM knows him best and if anyone signs him it would probably be him. We don’t need another bad Catcher. We are good on those.

        Reply
  9. bobtillman

    3 years ago

    The Milwaukee Milkmen have 2 HOFers on their roster next year.

    Reply
  10. TJ5960

    3 years ago

    Swihart’s reputation as a hitter lived on because he hit .274 in his first year with a 90 OPS+, which is good for a catcher. But it was built on a 13 game stretch where he had a BAbip of .618. Had his BAbip that year been in line with the rest of his career, he would have hit about .230 for the year and fans’ expectations would be a lot different. He hasn’t really been impressive with the bat since AA. His career AAA OPS is .628, which is atrocious. Also, I read over and over that he was brought up young, but he was 23, which is the most common age for a 1st rounder to debut.

    Reply
  11. David C

    3 years ago

    In early 2015, I can recall the Red Sox and the Phillies in trade talks for a then-in-his-prime Cole Hamels, and when the Phillies apparently agreed to part with Hamels in return for then-hot prospect Blake Swihart, the Red Sox front office flatly refused to give up Swihart for Hamels. That was how highly Swihart was once regarded.

    Reply
    • looiebelongsinthehall

      3 years ago

      Every team has those can’t miss prospects who actually do miss. Is Swihart any different than the Sox phenom before him, Lars Anderson? Anderson though ended up bringing Boston Stephen Wright.

      Reply
  12. hoff38

    3 years ago

    But- watching his catching skills…. very poor. Tons of potential but as a catcher he looks awkward and uncoordinated.

    Reply
  13. nentwigs

    3 years ago

    Hello Blake, San Francisco Giants calling…..

    Reply
  14. case7187

    3 years ago

    You have to wonder if the Sox killed his career if they weren’t happy with what they say but other teams and sports analyst did why didn’t they trade him considering they didn’t get anything for him anyways they seem to do that with a lot of players I’m sure all teams do it to but I feel like they do it more

    Reply
  15. Colorado_Kool_Aid

    3 years ago

    You think Trevino is struggling?? By what measure?

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Please login to leave a reply.
Log in Register

ad: 300x250_1_MLB

    Top Stories

    Rockies Sign Jurickson Profar

    Braves Option Vaughn Grissom, Braden Shewmake

    Jose Altuve To Undergo Surgery On Fractured Thumb

    Jose Altuve Leaves WBC Game After Hit By Pitch

    Edwin Diaz Undergoes Surgery To Repair Patellar Tendon

    Out Of Options 2023

    Cade Cavalli To Undergo Tommy John Surgery

    Edwin Diaz Helped Off Field With Right Knee Injury

    José Quintana Out Until At Least July Due To Rib Surgery

    Trevor Bauer Signs With NPB’s Yokohama DeNA BayStars

    Craig Stammen “Highly Unlikely” To Pitch Again Following Shoulder Injury

    Diamondbacks, Corbin Carroll Agree To Eight-Year Deal

    Nationals Sign Keibert Ruiz To Eight-Year Extension

    Rockies Showing Interest In Jurickson Profar

    Andrew Painter Diagnosed With UCL Sprain; Ranger Suarez Dealing With Forearm Tightness

    Marlins, Jose Iglesias Agree To Minor League Contract

    Marlins In Agreement With Yuli Gurriel On Minor League Deal

    Carlos Rodon, Tommy Kahnle, Lou Trivino To Begin Season On IL

    Mitch Moreland Announces Retirement

    Astros Facing Gaps In Extension Talks With Kyle Tucker, Framber Valdez

    Recent

    Twins Planning To Use Byron Buxton Primarily As Designated Hitter Early In The Season

    Orioles Notes: Rodriguez, Means, Santander

    MLBTR Poll: Who Will Win The AL East?

    Offseason In Review: Atlanta Braves

    Offseason In Review: Los Angeles Dodgers

    Padres Notes: Soto, Nola, Pomeranz

    NL West Notes: Hudson, Nelson, Slater

    NL Notes: Harper, Hudson, Liberatore, Stephenson

    Guardians Notes: Freeman, Arias, Extensions, Mikolajchak

    Rockies Sign Jurickson Profar

    MLBTR Newsletter - Hot stove highlights in your inbox, five days a week

    Latest Rumors & News

    Latest Rumors & News

    • Offseason Outlook Series
    Trade Rumors App for iOS and Android

    MLBTR Features

    MLBTR Features

    • Go Ad-Free
    • Projected Arbitration Salaries For 2023
    • 2022-23 MLB Free Agent List
    • 2023-24 MLB Free Agent List
    • MLB Player Chats
    • Transaction Tracker
    • Extension Tracker
    • Agency Database
    • MLBTR On Twitter
    • MLBTR On Facebook
    • Team Facebook Pages
    • How To Set Up Notifications For Breaking News
    • Hoops Rumors
    • Pro Football Rumors
    • Pro Hockey Rumors

    Rumors By Team

    • Angels Rumors
    • Astros Rumors
    • Athletics Rumors
    • Blue Jays Rumors
    • Braves Rumors
    • Brewers Rumors
    • Cardinals Rumors
    • Cubs Rumors
    • Diamondbacks Rumors
    • Dodgers Rumors
    • Giants Rumors
    • Guardians Rumors
    • Mariners Rumors
    • Marlins Rumors
    • Mets Rumors
    • Nationals Rumors
    • Orioles Rumors
    • Padres Rumors
    • Phillies Rumors
    • Pirates Rumors
    • Rangers Rumors
    • Rays Rumors
    • Red Sox Rumors
    • Reds Rumors
    • Rockies Rumors
    • Royals Rumors
    • Tigers Rumors
    • Twins Rumors
    • White Sox Rumors
    • Yankees Rumors

    ad: 160x600_MLB

    Navigation

    • Sitemap
    • Archives
    • Feeds by Team

    MLBTR INFO

    • Advertise
    • About
    • Commenting Policy
    • Privacy Policy

    Connect

    • Contact Us
    • Twitter
    • Facebook
    • RSS Feed

    MLB Trade Rumors is not affiliated with Major League Baseball, MLB or MLB.com

    hide arrowsFOX Sports Engage Network scroll to top
    Close

    Desktop Version | Switch To Mobile Version