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Pipeline Inbox: Comparing Swanson to Jeter
- Updated: December 29, 2016
The MLBPipeline.com crew has begun the process of revamping our Top 100 Prospects, and we’ll release the updated list at the end of January. My first step was putting together a personal list of the 50 best prospects, and here are a few random observations from my rankings:
The clear top three guys for me are White Sox second baseman Yoan Moncada, Yankees shortstop Gleyber Torres and Red Sox outfielder Andrew Benintendi, in that order … I listed only five pitchers in my top 32, starting with Cardinals right-hander Alex Reyes at No. 9 … prospects not on the current Top 100 (remember, we put it together in July) who made my top 50: Blue Jays third baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (No. 31) and Cardinals catcher Carson Kelly (No. 49) … next on my list at No. 51 would be Dodgers right-hander Yadier Alvarez, whom I suspect could rank significantly higher than that by the end of 2017.
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@jimcallisMLB @MLBPipeline You compared Swanson to Jeter. Can you explain what tangibles and intangibles he has that led you to this? Will he be ROY this season?
— Mr. Friday Night (@joeydivito) December 27, 2016
@jimcallisMLB @MLBPipeline You compared Swanson to Jeter. Can you explain what tangibles and intangibles he has that led you to this? Will he be ROY this season?
I’ve thrown out the Dansby Swanson/Derek Jeter comparison a few times, always with the caveat that it doesn’t mean I think Swanson is a lock first-ballot Hall of Famer. But that parallel works in terms of their games and their personalities.
Like Jeter, Swanson should hit for a high average with moderate power (albeit good pop for a shortstop) and a decent amount of walks. He has similar quickness and should provide 20 or so steals per year. Swanson is a solid defender and likely a better shortstop than Jeter was, though he probably won’t match The Captain’s five Gold Glove Awards.
Swanson’s charisma is reminiscent of Jeter’s as well. Relative to the market sizes, Swanson will become as big a star in his hometown as Jeter was in New York.
@jimcallisMLB @MLBPipeline Given his very high k% and failure to establish himself at a position, is Yoan Moncada being overrated?
— Dan (@lot_49) December 12, 2016 …
