Swanson brings on-base ability, defense to Braves

When the Braves made the trade to acquire Dansby Swanson from the D-backs, the hope was that he’d eventually be the everyday shortstop in Atlanta. With the trade of Erick Aybar to the Tigers on Tuesday, Braves fans will get the chance to see what that looks like for the rest of the 2016 season.

By now, most know Swanson’s story: the 2015 No. 1 pick, and Atlanta-area native, traded by Arizona for Shelby Miller over the winter, a transaction not previously seen since draftees weren’t allowed to be dealt so soon after the Draft until this past offseason. The No. 5 prospect in baseball began the year in the Class A Advanced Carolina League, but earned a bump up to Double-A after hitting .333/.441/.526 in 21 games.

The Southern League has been a bit tougher for the former Vanderbilt star. The 22-year-old has held his own, with a .261/.342/.402 line in 333 at-bats, but those numbers don’t jump off the page, perhaps as some expected to see. He’s still shown all of the tools that made him the top player in the 2015 Draft, with some extra-base pop, base-stealing ability, solid defense at shortstop and outstanding leadership skills. The Braves were so sure of his skills at the premium position …

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