Blake Swihart

[JimBoSox9]

There's just not a compelling reason to rush him, with Christ the Catcher looking as he has. The side against inertia needs the winning argument here, and it's tough to see how it's clear Swihart has run out of things to learn at AA.

 

[Morgan's Magic Snowplow]

From the moment when Vazquez was promoted, lots of people at Sox Prospects claimed that Swihart wouldn't be promoted until after the EL All Star game.  I'm not sure whether they're speculating or have some inside knowledge but that to me remains the most likely explanation.

 

[doctorogres]

#27 on Keith Law's top 50 list.
 

 
 
27. Blake Swihart, C | Boston Red Sox
Age: 22 | Current Level: AA (Portland)
Preseason Ranking: 56
Swihart was one of those dreaded 19-year-old high school seniors when the Red Sox took him in the first round of the 2011 draft, but his raw tools merited the pick and Boston has been rewarded for their patience with him. He's now 22 and playing well on both sides of the ball in Double-A. He's hit more homers this year (10) than in his previous two years combined, his receiving continues to improve and he's nailed 54 percent of opposing basestealers -- or would-be basestealers, given that kind of success rate. He's their catcher of the future, perhaps as soon as this time next year.

 
#23 on Sickels' midseason top 75.

 

[IpswichSox]

I just posted this in another thread and realized it should probably be here, too. Jim Callis was on a pre-trade deadline Alex Speier podcast saying Swihart has a Buster Posey-like profile, and if there was one Sox prospect he would hesitate giving up in any kind of Stanton-type trade it would be Blake Swihart.
 
Podcast link here.

 

[soxhop411]

Joon Lee ‏@iamjoonlee  now
Blake Swihart called up to Triple-A Pawtucket. Just arrived at McCoy Stadium according to @BWMcGair03. #RedSox
 
https://twitter.com/iamjoonlee/status/496369551995846656

 

[RedOctober3829]

Blake Swihart has been promoted to Pawtucket.
 
https://twitter.com/BWMcGair03/status/496368126691663872

 

[jsinger121]

He should see the bulk of the playing there.

 

[Eddie Jurak]

Well deserved.  

 

[JimBoSox9]

Good timing.  I can't get MiLB Gameday to load, is he catching Owens?  It's gotta help a bit with the learning curve to have your receiver move up a level with you.

 

[Bob Montgomerys Helmet Hat]

Good timing.  I can't get MiLB Gameday to load, is he catching Owens?  It's gotta help a bit with the learning curve to have your receiver move up a level with you.

He is. I was just thinking that the timing of the promotion probably isn't coincidental.

 

[soxhop411]

Red Sox Stats ‏@redsoxstats  2h
Triple-take remark in @MattEddyBA's chat: "Some scouts see Swihart more as a bat-oriented backup C type" 1st time seeing anything like that
 
So.. what caused the change?
 
https://twitter.com/redsoxstats/status/497835103771721728

 

[semsox]

 
Red Sox Stats ‏@redsoxstats  2h
Triple-take remark in @MattEddyBA's chat: "Some scouts see Swihart more as a bat-oriented backup C type" 1st time seeing anything like that
 
So.. what caused the change?
 
https://twitter.com/redsoxstats/status/497835103771721728
 

 
Poor scouting? Only way that statement makes sense is if Swihart is a bat-oriented backup C the same way Mauer is (i.e. he's starting at a different position to maintain his hitting).