By his own admission, Braves shortstop Dansby Swanson came into his second big league camp differently than last year, though his approach remains the same.
“I don’t think the approach is different, just the circumstances are different,” said Swanson before the Braves faced the Mets on Sunday. “I try to always be the best version of myself and approach things in a professional way and focus on the process. I know people say that all the time.
“This year, I just happen to be part of the team. The situation is different, but how I approach it is the same.”
Manager Brian Snitker said the 23-year-old Swanson has always gone out of his way to play his game, not necessarily do too much to open other peoples’ eyes.
“I think his approach last year was that it was his first spring training and he was trying to fit in,” Snitker said. “He was impressive then and we knew what we had. It was his first spring training from start to finish.”
Snitker said he wished Swanson hadn’t missed a few days in camp because of a back problem, but that all the former Vanderbilt star has done is be impressive.
“He doesn’t do anything but impress me in his approach, how he goes about it and his maturity, the whole thing. He does it like a veteran. I may play him every day over the next four days,” Snitker said as camp enters its final week.
Added Swanson: “I think the way our team is structured makes it nice because you’ve got a lot of veteran guys who do a good job of guiding you in the right way. You follow their way, respect the game, play hard and don’t feel entitled to anything.”
