23 Facts About Blake Swihart

1.

Blake Aubry Swihart was born on April 3,1992 and is an American professional baseball catcher and outfielder who is currently a free agent.

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2.

Blake Swihart previously played in Major League Baseball for the Arizona Diamondbacks and Boston Red Sox.

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3.

However, it was during his junior season that Blake Swihart quit pitching because he preferred to hit, and it was during his junior season when Blake Swihart first began playing catcher.

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4.

In 2009, Blake Swihart attended Rio Rancho High School, where he helped the Rio Rancho Rams win a State Championship, leading the team in multiple offensive categories.

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5.

Blake Swihart played for the Rams for two seasons before Sue Cleveland was built, which prompted him to change schools as he lived in the new boundaries.

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6.

Blake Swihart played in the 2010 Aflac All-American High School Baseball Classic.

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7.

Blake Swihart committed to attend the University of Texas at Austin on a college baseball scholarship.

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8.

Blake Swihart became the highest-drafted player out of New Mexico since Shane Andrews in 1990.

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9.

Blake Swihart played briefly in the rookie-level Gulf Coast League in 2011 with the GCL Red Sox, then received consecutive promotions to the Greenville Drive of the Class A South Atlantic League in 2012, and the Salem Red Sox of the Class A-Advanced Carolina League in 2013.

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10.

Blake Swihart began the 2014 season with the Portland Sea Dogs of the Class AA Eastern League.

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11.

Blake Swihart was ranked as the second highest-ranked prospect in the Red Sox organization for the 2014 season, according to MLB.

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12.

Blake Swihart was added to Boston's 40-man roster in November 2014.

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13.

On May 2,2015, Blake Swihart was called up to the big leagues for the first time, after catcher Ryan Hanigan was placed on the disabled list with a broken finger.

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14.

On that day, Blake Swihart recorded his first major league hit, against the New York Yankees.

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15.

At 23 years old, Blake Swihart became the youngest Red Sox catcher to hit a home run since Rich Gedman in 1982.

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16.

Blake Swihart started playing left field for the 2016 season, and split time between Pawtucket and Boston.

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17.

Blake Swihart was converted into a utility player for 2018; he played first base, third base, catcher, and left field during spring training.

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18.

Blake Swihart played throughout the season as a bench player, appearing in 82 games and batting.

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19.

Blake Swihart started the 2019 season as one of two catchers for Boston, along with Christian Vazquez, as Sandy Leon was outrighted to the minor leagues.

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20.

On December 16,2019, Blake Swihart signed a minor league contract with the Texas Rangers.

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21.

On January 27,2021, Blake Swihart signed a minor league contract with the Washington Nationals organization that included an invitation to Spring Training.

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22.

Gifted athlete from a young age, Blake Swihart won a national wrestling championship at the age of nine.

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23.

Blake Swihart's father, Arlan, is a nuclear engineer and played basketball for Southern Illinois University.

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