Erik Swanson

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Seattle Mariners #12 prospect in 2019
  Track Record: The Mariners acquired Swanson from the Yankees as one of three prospects exchanged for James Paxton. Originally drafted by the Rangers, Swanson transferred from Wabash (Ill.) JC to Iowa Western JC in 2014 and showed enough there to get drafted in the eighth round. He went all the way to Triple-A Round Rock with Texas in 2015 before being dealt to the Yankees for Carlos Beltran at the 2016 trade deadline. After beginning 2018 at high Class A Tampa, he finished the year by starting Game 1 of the International League playoffs for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
  
  Scouting Report: Swanson throws a high-spin fastball with extraordinary riding action and carry through the zone at 91-93 mph while touching a tick higher. He couples the pitch with a mid-80s slider and a low-80s changeup. Both secondary pitches project as average offerings with a little bit more refinement. A big reason for his improvement in 2018 was an uptick in fastball command, particularly when throwing the pitch up in the zone. Some scouts are concerned that he won't be able to get the ball to his glove side as often as necessary because of his delivery. His only real hiccup came in the form of an oblique strain that cost him a chunk of time at midseason.
  
  The Future: Swanson will go to spring training with a chance to crack the Mariners' rotation, and he projects as a No. 5 starter. .Additional Triple-A seasoning is the most likely Opening Day assignment.