Born: April 3, 1992
Bedford, TX
Height: 6-1
Weight: 175
Bats: Both
Throws: Right
Drafted: 1st round, 2011
How Acquired: Draft
High School: Cleveland HS (NM)

Photo © Kelly O'Connor

SoxProspects.com Links
2012 Prospect Preview
Swihart could be catcher of the future (2.6.13)
2013 Prospect Preview
Catcher Swihart has tools to be great (7.3.13)
2013 Top 40 Season in Review
Swihart staying grounded despite spotlight (1.16.14)
2014 Top 40 Season in Review
Rookie Dev Program notes: Swihart looks back... (1.24.15)
Swihart learning to catch the knuckler... (4.17.15)
2015 Graduates in Review

Traded to Arizona with international amateur signing bonus pool spac for Marcus Wilson

Physical Description: Athletic build, lean muscle, solid core. Has filed out considerably since signing, especially in his lower half, but still has some room for added bulk without losing athleticism.

Hit: Switch hitter with fluid, line-drive stroke from both sides. Plus bat speed and bat control through the zone with loud, consistent contact. Uses whole field. Solid pitch recognition, hand-eye coordination, and understanding of the strike zone. Future plus hit tool (.275-.285 average) with average-to-above-average on-base percentage. Battles. Doesn’t use batting gloves.

Power: Strong for his size. More to come as he physically matures. More present power from the right side. Squares balls up with consistency. Doesn’t sell out for power. However, plus bat speed, raw strength and hand-eye coordination to square balls up consistently will translate to future average power potential (15-20 home runs).

Arm: Plus-to-better arm strength. Accurate thrower. Gets out of his crouch easily. Consistently throws out runners at a high percentage.

Field: Consistent sub 2.0 pop times, typically between 1.8-1.9. Athletic behind the plate with quick feet and lateral movements. Frames well, and athleticism provides mobility for excellent blocking skills on balls in the dirt. Future plus defense with plus athleticism. Began getting reps in left field after being optioned back to Pawtucket in April 2016. Played some first base while dealing with an ankle injury in late 2017. Worked out as a utility player in Spring Training 2018, adding third base to his repertoire.  The Red Sox apparently do not view him as a long-term catcher.

Run: Average runner, but above-average for catcher. Can go first to third and score from second. Alert on the basepaths with good instincts.

Career Notes: Committed to the University of Texas prior to signing. Primarily played shortstop and outfield in high school. Childhood friends with Houston Astros third baseman Alex Bregman. Played for Team USA 18-and-Under National Team in 2010. Also played basketball in high school. Sustained season-ending ankle injury in June 2016 while playing left field. Missed time with a finger contusion in May 2017. Left ankle continued bothering him in 2017, affecting his swing, eventually putting him on the DL, keeping him from catching on consecutive days and forcing him to play some first base later in the year. Ingested a parasite while playing in the Dominican Republic during the winter of 2017, losing 25 pounds and forcing him to return to the United States early. Began working as a utility player at catcher, first base, third base, and left field in Spring Training 2018.

Summation: Early in his pro career, showed the potential to be a future first-division regular and solid contributor across the board at catcher. Due to injuries, misuse of his options, and lack of advancement at the plate, now projects as a utility player. If he catches on with the right to who will give him regular at-bats as a backstop, could still develop into an everyday player.