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Pirates Release Travis Swaggerty

By Darragh McDonald | July 20, 2023 at 2:22pm CDT

The Pirates have released outfielder Travis Swaggerty, according to his transactions tracker at MLB.com. He was already removed from their roster when he was designated for assignment earlier this week, so this won’t impact their 40-man roster count.

The release appears to be a result of Swaggerty’s frustration injury situation. Earlier this summer, he spoke to Andrew Destin of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette about how he’s been dealing with migraines since November. “It’s been crazy, and there’s been times I’ve been at the plate where it felt like I could barely see because I had a migraine or I was having that vertigo,” Swaggerty said.

Swaggerty has been placed on the minor league injured list a couple of times this year due to the issue, including on June 16. He started a rehab assignment on July 7 but played just one game and hasn’t returned to a lineup since. Players on the injured list can’t be placed on outright waivers and Swaggerty doesn’t seem to have been formally activated from the IL, leaving the Pirates little choice but to release him.

Players in this situation will often sign a new deal with the releasing club, but that’s no guarantee and Swaggerty will at least have the opportunity to peruse other offers. Prior to his setbacks this year, he was a prospect of note, having been selected in the first round of the 2018 draft with the 10th overall pick. But the pandemic wiped out the minor leagues in 2020 and Swaggerty required shoulder surgery in 2021 after just 12 games.

After missing almost two whole years, he returned to the field last year and hit .254/.348/.399 in 107 Triple-A games. That was above-average production, but just barely, translating to a 102 wRC+. He also got into five major league games but struck out in four of his nine plate appearances and recorded just one hit, a single. Now this year’s migraine issues have prevented him from building off that healthy season, as he’s played just 22 minor league games this year.

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Pittsburgh Pirates Transactions Travis Swaggerty

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View Comments (39)
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39 Comments

  1. joew

    2 years ago

    Real shame. He only got to play two pretty much full seasons that were just okay. 2022 was his make or break year and he made it by not performing badly in the minors.. not great just not bad… and then this happens. Hopefully they can find the cause soon and he can give it another go.

    7
    Reply
  2. deepseamonster32

    2 years ago

    mariners need him. haggerty and swaggerty. oooo yeaaaa

    8
    Reply
    • Paleobros

      2 years ago

      Add get Andrew Baggerly to cover them for the Athletic

      1
      Reply
      • deepseamonster32

        2 years ago

        only if he changes the ‘l’ to a ‘t’!

        Reply
  3. wvpirate

    2 years ago

    Overhyped his whole minor league career. Never had a great year. It was time. Best of luck. Hope things get better for him.

    2
    Reply
    • TheMan 3

      2 years ago

      He actually had a good spring this year and instead of bringing him north they chose CSN who was a complete failure at the major league level

      3
      Reply
      • cornwhisperer

        2 years ago

        Apparently, spring training counts for nothing where the Pirates are concerned, what with their all star lineup and all. Swaggerty performed well both offensively and defensively and still somehow couldn’t find a seat on that shuttle to Pittsburgh from Indy that so many outfield prospects have taken the last couple years
        I wouldn’t know Swaggerty if he knocked on my door, but it seems odd to me that the same pathetic franchise that brought up a 34 year old rookie from AA earlier this season never saw fit to take a look at this kid
        I hope his wife’s health issues are remedied quickly, and Swaggerty’s, as well. And just for laughs, I hope he ends up someplace like Milwaukee or Cincinnati and tortures his old team for years
        Poetic justice

        7
        Reply
        • kwolf68

          2 years ago

          So they didn’t bring him North after he raked against replacement level players in the 7th inning of Spring games? So the Pirates are taken to task for that. What does Swaggerty do? Head to AAA, NOT hit and then stays injured (shocker). Had Swaggerty been able to do two things in his upper minors career (that is to HIT and to BE HEALTHY) he would have been in Pittsburgh. He has done neither and that is not on the Pirates organization because Swaggerty never earned the right to come to Pittsburgh. Shelton himself when choosing Suwinski (who was brutal in Spring) over Swaggerty said they were putting stock on performance at the MLB level and while Suwinski is a platoon power bat at best, he was the better choice to bring North over Swaggerty.

          I also doubt they are worried he’ll goto Milw or Cincy and tortures anyone.

          5
          Reply
        • Skeptical

          2 years ago

          Corn, personally I am glad they brought up Drew Maggi. (He was 33, not 34). It was a feel good story for a guy who never quit trying. We can use some of those in our world today. But I also suspect that the Pirates may have had another motive. Maggi may never be a regular at the highest level, but with his experience and his work ethic, I would not be surprised to see him as a minor league coach soon. Giving him a cup of coffee should help him as a coach.

          The Pirates did take a look at Swaggerty last season.. He went one for nine. Taking another look at him would not have cured his headaches or his vertigo.

          2
          Reply
        • TheMan 3

          2 years ago

          How many looks have they given Marcano this season?
          They tend to give a few undeserving players chances and stick with them regardless of their offensive output

          2
          Reply
        • TheMan 3

          2 years ago

          Your logic doesn’t make sense since CSN also had a good spring and he went north with the team.
          He kept a roster spot for far too long and never lived up to the hype because of his spring training

          And they didn’t choose Suwinski over Swaggerty, they chose CSN

          2
          Reply
        • cornwhisperer

          2 years ago

          Agree 100% about Maggi. Why not? That was the point, I guess. You did Maggi a nice turn and given Swaggerty’s situation, he was not only deserving in terms of his spring but also, for a similar nice turn

          1
          Reply
        • wvpirate

          2 years ago

          I apologize in advance for this
          But are you the corn whisperer because the corn has ears??

          2
          Reply
        • cornwhisperer

          2 years ago

          On one hand, kwolf, I want to thank you for your assessment of Suwinski. There are a number of people here who’ll likely blanket you with metrics and analytics now, making you think he’s a shoo-in for Cooperstown

          But it was never between Swaggerty and Suwinski, was it? Ngiba-Smith came north instead and quickly was on board the Indy shuttle
          You’re missing the point here. There has been a revolving door of “outfield prospects” who we’ve heard a lot about, came up, showed nothing and got sent back down, likely to never be heard from again. What was one more? And this was well before Davis got here

          Look, it’s a joke of an organization that gaslights fans with news of great young talent on the way. Fact is, there hasn’t been much of “great” coming here in years. Where Swaggerty was concerned, he was just another in a long line of “prospects” who were coming like the cavalry over the hill

          1
          Reply
        • cornwhisperer

          2 years ago

          Hahaha. Thanks wvpirate! Finally, someone got the “joke”
          Appreciate the laugh today. No need for an apology. I don’t take myself that seriously.

          Reply
        • YourDreamGM

          2 years ago

          We talkin bout spring training practice! Not a game!

          2
          Reply
        • cornwhisperer

          2 years ago

          You’re channeling Allen Iverson now? Nice touch. LOL
          But I get your point

          1
          Reply
    • cornwhisperer

      2 years ago

      Overhyped?

      That would apply to 90% of the players in the Pirates farm system

      3
      Reply
  4. Scott Kliesen

    2 years ago

    If I’m not mistaken his wife also had a crazy health issue. I seem to recall she has Lyme’s disease from a bite of a nasty critter.

    Best wishes to both of them for a return to full health.

    1
    Reply
    • TheMan 3

      2 years ago

      The critter was a raccoon

      5
      Reply
      • Scott Kliesen

        2 years ago

        Sounds horrible.

        Reply
      • YourDreamGM

        2 years ago

        Anyone who hasn’t seen the racoon whisperer go to YouTube and enjoy.

        Reply
  5. wkkortas

    2 years ago

    I don’t know if being healthy is actually a skill, but in any case, T-Swag never was, and it’s doubtful how much of his skillset is left given the multitude of injuries that have dogged him.

    1
    Reply
    • mlb1225

      2 years ago

      I agree, I think he had a bright future at one point, but injuries really sapped the raw strength and potential he had. I just hope things turn around for him, especially outside of baseball.

      3
      Reply
  6. Jesse Chavez enthusiast

    2 years ago

    Someone will snag him soon I bet.

    2
    Reply
    • YourDreamGM

      2 years ago

      Someone could have had him.

      1
      Reply
  7. mlb1225

    2 years ago

    Feel bad for him, lots of set-backs, and stuff that is wholly out of his control.

    4
    Reply
  8. Robertowannabe

    2 years ago

    Would not be surprised if he is not resigned to a minors deal if he does not retire.

    Reply
  9. Macbeth

    2 years ago

    Another failed Neal Huntington first round pick.

    1
    Reply
    • judgementday99

      2 years ago

      Which Means Brian Cashman will be all over him soon dumpster diving.

      Reply
      • cornwhisperer

        2 years ago

        Wow. The Yankees? Has it come to that?

        Reply
  10. louwhitakerisahofer

    2 years ago

    Classic AAAA player that will probably have a career resurgence in Korea/Japan. The guy has the skills to be a 4th OF at minimum, just perhaps needs a change of scenery.

    Reply
    • Macbeth

      2 years ago

      It wouldn’t surprise me if the Rays give him a chance. They have a knack for fixing people.

      1
      Reply
    • joew

      2 years ago

      @lou

      He has the ability to be a league average player with a floor of a quality defensive 4th outfielder.

      The problem was rarely to do with his on the field performance.. it was getting and keeping him on the field do to injury/illness.

      I hope he picks up with the pirates again but right now figuring out his health should be his priority.

      Reply
      • Macbeth

        2 years ago

        I think his absolute ceiling is an OF who hits below league average, walks above league average, slugs below league average, steals above league average and plays defense slightly ahead of league average.

        Reply
  11. TheSauceIsBoss

    2 years ago

    Private Source: He has debilitating migraines because he contracted rabies from his raccoon bitten girlfriend.

    Reply
  12. Grumpofm

    2 years ago

    Between injuries and his personal troubles this year it doesn’t seem too fair. However this time of year, it’s not uncommon for teams to part ways with similar players. Independent ball or overseas is his best chance now. I don’t think his wife has rabies, since only 4 or 5 people have ever survived it once symptoms have started.

    1
    Reply
  13. Mitchell Page

    2 years ago

    The A’s should pick him up even though I wrote before the draft for not taking him . Who knew they would waste a high draft pick . I say A’s sign him put him on IL get a. Blood work up looking for this raccoon business if it has transferred due to bodily fluids . Place him in Midland on Rockhounds

    1
    Reply
  14. Mitchell Page

    2 years ago

    Oh I also think Travis should seek out Grady Sizemore for batting help . I think this is the player he should’ve been . I think Travis doesn’t know who he is . He has money so he could get his agent to reach out to Siizemore . Figure yourself out .. Health and Wealth

    1
    Reply

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