Sticking To The Script: Swanson Has Day Fit For Silver Screen

Few may have better days than Dansby Swanson did today.

The Vanderbilt shortstop hit a home run to help lead his team to a win over Illinois in the Champaign Super Regional.  With the win, the ‘Dores are now en route to Omaha to defend their 2014 College World Series title.

That could have been enough.

But with barely enough time to update the bracket, Swanson found out he was selected first overall by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the MLB First Year Player Draft.

“We had the the dog-pile, and then I would probably say about two or three minutes, honestly. My family was able to rush out on the field and I was able to watch it on the iPhone on the field with all of my guys surrounding me,” Swanson said.

The newly-drafted Swanson was asked if today or the day Vanderbilt won the 2014 College World Series was the best day of this life.

It must be a nice problem to have.

“Let’s just say it’s tied. This day couldn’t have been scripted any better.”

This day could seem straight off the silver screen.  The fact is Swanson has proven to be one of the best in college baseball, showing time and again he performs in the clutch, something he learned playing basketball growing up. Tim Corbin’s program only solidified that.

“I also trust the training I’ve done (at Vanderbilt),” Swanson said. “So when I get into those moments, it feels like I’ve done it a thousand times and I’ve just been able to be comfortable and relaxed while going through those moments. “  

Swanson comes from a family of baseball players. Both his father and his older brother played at the collegiate level.   Learning the game was a part of growing up.

“I’ve been around it my whole life. I grew up playing it, I grew up at the ball field,” Swanson said.  “I’ve just always been around it and learned baseball at an elite level since I was six years old. “

While Swanson was able to have a moment to look ahead at life after Vanderbilt, he knows there is still business his team has to tend to. The Commodores had three first-round selections: Swanson, RHP Carson Fulmer was selected 8^th overall by the Chicago White Sox, and RHP Walker Buehler was taken by the Los Angeles Dodgers with the 24th pick.

He says the success, both individually and collectively as a team, has helped keep the Commodores focused on their goals.

“It’s nice to have Carson and Walker go through this with me as kind of an outlet. We have business to attend to, and all the professional stuff can wait until the season is over because we definitely want to win again.”

The Diamondbacks hope he wins in Omaha and then just keeps on winning.