What to do with the Atlanta Braves’ Dansby Swanson?

It’s no question that the Atlanta Braves‘ Dansby Swanson has struggled this year, in what’s still technically considered his rookie season.

I love the contributions both Adams and Phillips have given the Braves. But going beyond this year, it’s hard to envision a scenario where either suit up in a Braves uniform.

Taken with the 1st overall pick just two years ago out of Vanderbilt University, Dansby Swanson was considered an elite prospect, and a potential player you could build an organization around.

When Shelby Miller got traded to the Arizona Diamondbacks in the fall of 2015, Swanson was considered the headliner in the package that also included Ender Inciarte and Aaron Blair.

After a brief call up last season in which he slashed .302/.361/.442 with three home runs in 38 games, Dansby has hit a road bump this year.

The dilemma

Braves manager Brian Snitker continues to roll with the hot hitting Johan Camargo at shortstop. While this seems like the logical thing to do, it does Dansby no good just sitting on the bench. He needs to get regular playing time.

Snitker has said Swanson will play a part-time role at shortstop moving forward this season.

Dansby managed to slash .306/.355/.418 in June while raising his batting average 43 points. However, he took a tailspin shortly before the All-Star break by going 4-34 over those last 11 games.

He’s only received three starts since the start of the second half, and is now slashing .218/.295/.318 on the season and it’s pretty much the same problem noted back in April:  the slider.

With the return of Sean Rodriguez from the disabled list, and Freddie Freeman playing third base now, the infield has gotten cluttered. Someone has to take the fall as far as playing time goes, and it’s obvious that it’s been Dansby.

Logical choices

Trading Matt Adams and/or Brandon Phillips would free up playing time, as Freddie would stay strictly at first base, allowing for Camargo to play second or third. This allows Dansby to play regularly again, even if he struggles.

However, the front office has said they don’t plan on trading Adams before the July 31st non-waiver trade deadline. Unfortunately, I can only assume the same goes for Phillips, despite him being a free agent at season’s end.

I love the contributions both Adams and Phillips have given the Braves. But going beyond this year, it’s hard to envision a scenario where either suit up in a Braves uniform.

The only other logical choice would be to demote Dansby to Triple-A Gwinnett. I can’t imagine it would be good for his psyche… the #1 prospect in the organization a mere season ago, demoted to Triple-A.

But it might be what’s best. This would allow for him to keep getting regular playing time (with his future second baseman in Ozzie Albies, no less).

Having Snitker make him ride pine is not only detrimental to Dansby, but the Braves as well. Allowing him to play regularly at Triple-A would also free up a roster spot for someone else looking to contribute, but not held to as high of expectations.

When it’s all said and done

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I don’t expect Atlanta to ultimately compete for a playoff spot the rest of the season. While their performance has been better than what I expected, they’re just no match for the power houses of the National League. After all, we just witnessed a three game sweep at home by the reigning World Champs.

I’ve been a huge Dansby Swanson supporter since the beginning, but I hate watching him practically wither away on the bench. Pitchers are reading the scouting report on him, and he’s still learning to adapt.

It’s an adjustment he’ll have to work on in the off-season. This will be a season to forget, but definitely one he can learn from.

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Let Dansby regain confidence in himself down at Triple-A, or unclog some of the infield depth to allow playing time for the younger, future players of the Atlanta Braves. They have to spread their wings at some point.