By Jen Marder
June 6, 2011
Today the Boston Red Sox selected Blake Swihart in the 1st round (#26 overall) in the 2011 MLB Draft. Baseball Beginnings has been scouting Swihart from the start of the draft cycle. Enjoy links to the content we have published on him through the year.
Watch Blake Swihart Video
Watch Blake Swihart Video
Read Blake Swihart Scouting Report
Read Blake Swihart Scouting Update
By The Baseball Beginnings Guy
May 4, 2011
Blake Swihart is hitting here. Those first two swings right-handed? That’s what I mean when I say a guy is a gunshot guy. I once heard somebody subtly dismiss me for liking guys who can make the good sound off a wood bat. That guy is an idiot. Then when you get to about the 30 second mark, you get a nice series of gunshots. I can already hear the guy saying behind my back, “well, if you like guys who can make hard contact…” What would you like me to like? Slap hitters who can’t run, guys who can’t throw, guys with PR and mock drafts heroes? You do your little mock, try not to get fired again, and I’ll pick the ballplayers, junior. Swihart, I take him everyday.
By The Baseball Beginnings Guy
March 31, 2011
Blake Swihart is the guy we’re showing on April Fools Day, but his talent is no joke. I put a pretty heavy grade on him in the Fall and I’m staying with it. If for some reason this guy gets to the University of Texas, then Longhorn land will rejoice. Personally I think this is the kind of guy who needs to go to pro ball as soon as he can. Here’s a switch-hitting catcher with power from both sides who is a plus thrower. There’s a lot of physical projection and in three or four years, I think Swihart is going to look back at this video and remember when he looked just like an ordinary kid, until you put the bat in his hands.
By The Baseball Beginnings Guy
December 13, 2010
This is a draft where it is hard to find players you can dream on. What that means, in my opinion, is that there are fewer high school players in 2011 than there were in 2009 and 2010 who have projection. People ask me, “What do you mean by projection?” I say, “Does the guy give you something to dream on?” This is what makes or breaks organizations, spotting the right guys to dream on, and them dreaming right.
Blake Swihart is one of those guys for me. He’s a strong New Mexico catcher with power from both sides of the plate whose natural side looks to me like it’s the left side. Yeah, you can dream on that, just make sure you dream on the correct tool.
By The Baseball Beginnings Guy
September 30, 2010
Catchers are always in short supply, especially at the high school level. This year is no different. As with our pitchers and infielders list, this is a follow sheet and not a ranking service. We’ll give you the basics and let the kids be the final say on what players they become.
By The Baseball Beginnings Guy
September 21, 2010
Blake Swihart got a little lost behind Austin Hedges, but he’s not a bad guy in his own right. I had a long look at him over the Summer and I think there are some building blocks here. Switch-hitting catchers with good arms and potential to drive the ball are hard to come by. Here’s a summer break down.
By The Baseball Beginnings Guy
August 15, 2010
SAN DIEGO – With apologies to anyone else in this baseball game, right-hander Archie Bradley is an absolute horse.
By The Baseball Beginnings Guy
August 8, 2010
A human tendon – that’s the phrase going in my report.
