INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – Typically, the strongest performers earn the opportunity to break Spring Training with the big league club.
Travis Swaggerty ranked second on the Pirates this spring with three home runs and tied for fifth with his 11 hits, while gaining just 29 at bats with the big club. He easily passed the eye test on the field in Bradenton.
Swaggerty will be chasing down balls to start the season in Indianapolis. This assignment could create a setback for some players, but not for Swaggerty.
The decision was based on getting him consistent at bats in Triple-A, rather than sparingly appearing with the Pirates. Swaggerty agrees with this choice and would rather take the regular play with Indianapolis than potentially stunting his long-term growth in not seeing action.
“If you can play everyday, that is what you want to do,” Swaggerty said. “To be able to piece consistent at bats together, helps you get better and into mid-season form faster. In Spring Training, I had a lot of days where I came in for the last three innings of the game and got one at bat and ‘see you later.’ It’s hard to piece things together.”
Indianapolis manager Miguel Perez sought out Swaggerty, as he likes to do a mental health check on any player who might endure a let down after being sent down so late in the spring after a strong performance. Perez labeled it as a great conversation.
“I like where his mindset is at,” Perez said. “He is intent to carry over where he finished [in Spring Training] to the season here. I was excited that he brought that to me… He is a pro and he knows that it’s not where you start, but where you finish.”
Swaggerty is approaching the strong spring as a positive that he was unable to enjoy last year. Combine the lockout and an arm injury early in camp, it is not a shock Swaggerty hit just .164 in 15 games last April.
“The body is feeling good, healthy and ready to go,” Swaggerty said. “To start like I did is just good for my confidence. In the past, my Spring Trainings have been, not necessarily tough, but they haven’t been like this year’s.”
While he thinks the decision is for the best, Swaggerty did admit that he hopes to continue his roll to force a hand “and get to the big leagues sooner, rather than later.”
