A prospect selected as the 444th ranked player, has grown into a powerful slugger

Pittsburgh Pirates Jack Swinsky (25) is establishing himself as a slugger.

Swinsky was drafted by the San Diego Padres with the 444th overall pick in the 15th round of the 2016 draft. He matured in the minor leagues and entered the major leagues in 2022 in Pittsburgh. From his debut season, he stood out with a batting average of 0.202 (66 hits in 326 at-bats) and a slugging percentage of 0.411 OPS (on-base percentage + slugging percentage) of 0.709 in 106 games with 19 home runs.메이저사이트

and 2023, his second year in the big leagues. Swinski got stronger. He had 15 home runs, a batting average of 0.240 (44 in 183 at-bats), a slugging percentage of 0.530, and an OPS of 0.890 in 59 games. He ranks eighth in the National League in home runs and ninth in slugging percentage and OPS, leading the Pittsburgh center batting line.

On the 17th, MLB.com, the official homepage of Major League Baseball, also focused on Swinsky’s performance. The media said, “Think of a home run that fits the expression ‘there is no doubt’. According to Statcast, Swanski recorded 12 home runs that undoubtedly took into account trajectory and flight distance.” This is more than Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Angels and Ronald Acuna Jr. of the Atlanta Braves and Matt Olsen (11).

▲ Jack Swinsky of the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Of Swinsky’s 15 home runs, 12 are “undoubtedly home runs.” It means that if the bat hits the center properly, it will definitely pass the fence. The media praised Swinski’s punching power, saying, “Swinski is tied for 14th in home runs, but home runs are undoubtedly first. It is an impressive feat.”

Swinsky also showed off his strength in the San Francisco Giants match held at Oracle Park on May 30th. He hit home runs in consecutive hits in the 7th and 9th innings, but the batted ball flew for a long time and fell only to Mae Cobi. Barry Bonds and Swinsky are the only cases of two ‘splash hits’ in one game.

▲ Jack Swinsky of the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Pittsburgh’s acquisition of Swinsky was a huge success. Just before the trade deadline for the 2021 season, Pittsburgh traded Adam Frazier to San Diego for Swinsky, Michael Miliano and Tucupita Macano. And Swinsky has grown into a team-centered hitter as he performed more than expected.

The media said, “Swinsky was only the 30th Pittsburgh prospect in the 2022 preseason rankings. However, after his debut, he has been playing as the most productive player,” and said that Pittsburgh’s choice was correct.