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Boston Red Sox: Time cut ties with Blake Swihart

By Oliver Gold

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - APRIL 11: Blake Swihart #23 of the Boston Red Sox runs to the dugout during the sixth inning of the Red Sox home opener against the Baltimore Orioles at Fenway Park on April 11, 2016 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - APRIL 11: Blake Swihart #23 of the Boston Red Sox runs to the dugout during the sixth inning of the Red Sox home opener against the Baltimore Orioles at Fenway Park on April 11, 2016 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /
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Blake Swihart has had a terrible year with the Boston Red Sox and no longer deserves a spot on the active roster after the acquisition of Steve Pearce.

In the minor leagues, Blake Swihart showed a lot of potential. Swihart flew through the minor leagues and it appeared that he could be a member of the Boston Red Sox for years to come.

Before the 2015 season, Swihart was No.18 on the MLB.com Top 100 prospect list after a stellar season with the Portland Sea Dogs and the Pawtucket Red Sox. Swihart proved that he was a solid contact hitter and also had the athleticism that is unusual to see from a catcher.

Swihart continued to show potential during his first stint with the Red Sox as well. As a 23-year-old in 2015, Swihart hit .274 with the Red Sox along with five home runs, 31 RBIs, and four stolen bases in 84 games.

However, since then, Swihart has had little success with the Red Sox. The 26-year-old has struggled to stay healthy and has played just 152 games between the Pawtucket Red Sox and Boston Red Sox since the 2016 season.

Swihart’s overall production has dropped since the 2016 season as he has hit just .203 at the major league level and just .208 with Pawtucket after hitting .287 with the “PawSox” in 2014 and 2015.

Swihart hasn’t been any better in 2018

Before the 2018 regular season, the Boston Red Sox knew they would be left in a tough situation with Swihart. The 26-year-old is out of minor-league options and would have to clear waivers before being sent to the minor leagues.

Because of this, the Red Sox were basically forced into keeping Swihart despite hitting just .190 with the Pawtucket Red Sox in 2017 and .242 in Spring Training.

Blake Swihart, however, has the capability of playing catcher, first base, and the outfield, so the Red Sox wanted to give him another shot.

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It was unknown how much playing time Swihart would receive. The Red Sox had already elected to keep two catchers, two first baseman, and five outfielders (including utility-man Brock Holt).

Swihart’s 2018 season has been brutal, to say the least. Despite being healthy on the roster all season long, the Texas native has appeared in just 35 of the teams 83 games as of Saturday and has gotten just 76 at-bats. Swihart is hitting just .158 with no homers and three RBIs in those 76 at-bats. On May 16th, Swihart’s agent asked the Red Sox to trade his client due to his lack of playing time.

When Hanley Ramirez was DFA’d by the Boston Red Sox on May 25th, it was anticipated that the Red Sox wanted to give Swihart an opportunity to play more. Swihart did receive starts on May 26th and May 27th and played every day between May 30th and June 3rd, but went just 4-23 during those games. Swihart has simply been a disaster all season long for the Red Sox and has been a waste of a roster spot.

No need to stay patient

It’s tough to part ways with Blake Swihart. He is still a 26-year-old switch hitter and can be used as a utility-man. Although he has not enjoyed success at the plate, his athleticism is still shown. Swihart was a Top 20 prospect in all of baseball just three years ago.

It is understandable why the Boston Red Sox think that Swihart could still be a valuable piece to the Red Sox roster. If the Red Sox try sending him down to the minors again, it is very likely some team would take a chance on Swihart.

However, the Red Sox have stayed patient for too long. Blake Swihart hit just .190 in Triple-A last season and does not appear to have the same hitting potential he once had when he was a top prospect. It is tough to give up on someone who can play multiple positions like Swihart. If somebody on the Red Sox roster were to get hurt, it’s helpful to know you have a guy like Swihart who can play multiple positions.

However, the Red Sox already have Brock Holt who can play seven positions on the diamond and is hitting .293, a lot better than Swihart’s batting average. Also, having three catchers on the big league roster is unnecessary. Sandy Leon and Christian Vazquez have not been terrific offensively but have been respectable.

There is no reason why Swihart should still be taking up one of the roster spots halfway through the season. Swihart has been given many chances this year and has not taken advantage of them. With Steve Pearce now on the Red Sox roster, it makes even more sense to get rid of Swihart, as the Red Sox no longer need another first-baseman and outfielder.

Tzu-Wei Lin, who was sent down to Pawtucket instead of Swihart as a corresponding move to the Pearce trade, would have much more value on the Red Sox roster as a middle infielder.

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With the return of Drew Pomeranz on the horizon, Swihart should not be on the Red Sox roster for much longer.

The Boston Red Sox currently have 13 hitters including Swihart on the roster and 12 pitchers. Whether it’s waiving him and hoping he clears or trading him for a low-level prospect, something needs to be done.

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