Pittsburgh Pirates: Former First-Round Pick Signs With New Organization

The Pittsburgh Pirates first-round selection in the 2018 draft has found a new organization

With the 10th overall pick in the 2018 MLB Draft the Pittsburgh Pirates selected outfielder Travis Swaggerty. Swaggerty was selected out of the University of Southern Alabama. When he was selected, it appeared that Swaggerty may be the long-term answer for the Pirates in center field.

That, of course, was not the case for Swaggerty. But he now has a new team. On Wednesday, Swaggerty signed a minor league deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Swaggerty will now look to reinvigorate his career with the Dodger organization.

Unfortunately for Swaggerty, his time in the Pirate organization was filled with injuries. He appeared primed to make his MLB debut at some point during the 2021 season, but suffered a shoulder injury diving back to first base on a pick-off attempt. This led to a shoulder surgery which limited Swaggerty to just 12 games that season, all at the Triple-A level.

Swaggerty’s lost 2021 season came after he did not play at all in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic cancelling the minor league season. Swaggerty lost time in 2022 to a concussion. Migraine issues then began to arise for Swaggerty, who was designated for assignment on July 17th of this year before being released on July 19th. Swaggerty played in just 22 minor league games in 2023.

Swaggerty did make his MLB debut with the Pirates in 2022. However, he did not get much of a chance or opportunity in the majors. He recorded just nine plate appearances while playing in just five games. He went 1-for-9 with four strikeouts in his limited MLB action.

After the Pirates released Swaggerty, he signed a minor league contract with the Chicago White Sox on August 13th. Swaggerty failed to play in any games with the White Sox organization before the end of the season, he was then released on October 10th.

Hopefully Swaggerty can find health and success with the Dodgers. The now 26-year-old Swaggerty has been through a lot in his professional career, and it would be great to see him finally find success. We wish Swaggerty nothing but success with the Dodgers and wherever else his baseball career takes him.