Swanson Revels In Playing Astounding Defense For Chicago Cubs

Chicago Cubs star shortstop Dansby Swanson absolutely revels in playing Gold Glove caliber defense for his new team.

Author:
Andy Jasner
Publish date:
Apr 25, 2023 11:54 AM EDT

In this story:

Dansby Swanson signed a seven-year, $177 million deal with the Chicago Cubs not only for his offensive prowess.

But also for his Gold Glove defense.

In fact, Swanson relishes making all the plays at shortstop as much as he does at producing offensively. “It’s a confidence thing,” Swanson told the Chicago Sun-Times. “Because the more that you can play offense on defense, and go get the ball, and have confidence to go towards a moving ball and to catch it with one hand, the more plays you’ll be able to make.”

It has been a short sample size regarding Swanson’s defense with the Cubs. So far, they’re thrilled.

“You just see how easy he plays,” manager David Ross said. “One term I’ve used already is a ‘sleepy shortstop.’ Because it feels effortless, it feels fluid, it feels natural, there’s not a lot of anxiety in it for anybody. And so it’s just very comforting.”

Swanson has spent countless hours through the years taking thousands of ground balls and doing drills to improve in every possible way defensively. If the Cubs ultimately make the playoffs, Swanson’s defense will be a major reason why.

“I don’t like setting my feet very often,” Swanson told the Sun-Times. “If I catch the ball on the move, I like to just throw it on the move. I just feel more confident that way.”

The confidence shows. Ross is correct. Swanson makes playing shortstop look easy. And we all know it’s not.

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