You don't like his 237 OPS for AZ? What about that ZIPS projected him to hit 594 as a bat first catcher?
Even AZ fans aren't high on Swihart. https://www.azsnakepit.com/2019/4/23/18509990/mike-hazen-and-team-expect-blake-swihart-to-hit-diamondbacks-red-sox
While Swihart clearly had some promise as a hitter for a catcher I think it’s important to look at his track record in the context of a non catcher position player, because that is his intended use here in Arizona. While his contact rates and K% in the low minors were above average, he never had a double digit walk rate, and most years was below average in taking the base on balls. He did not exhibit much power at all, except the one year in AA, and even that was moderate...
There are plenty of anecdotal examples of players that were progressing through the early stages of their careers, got derailed by injury and circumstance, and after some time of poor or mediocre performance, managed to get back on track and surprise everyone. Mike Hazen and his team believe Blake Swihart has a good chance to be one of those guys. Obviously I think it’s a long shot.
LEON IS BETTAH KEHD...