The Diamondbacks swapped minor league outfielder Marcus Wilson for Red Sox backstop Blake Swihart and international bonus pool money, per announcements from both teams on Friday. Arizona GM Mike Hazen told reporters that the club intends to utilize Swihart at the outfield corners and third base as they try to “get his bat going,” with the expectation that he’ll get a chance to catch again in the future.
Swihart, 27, was designated for assignment by the Red Sox on Tuesday. The utility infielder/outfielder got off to a slow start this season, collecting two extra bases in his first hits of the year and batting .231/.310/.385 through 29 plate appearances. He made just six starts behind the plate as the primary backup to Christian Vázquez. It’s likely that he’ll play a similar role in Arizona, where the Diamondbacks already have several options in Carson Kelly, Caleb Joseph, and John Ryan Murphy.
Wilson, 22, was selected by the Diamondbacks in the second round of the 2014 draft and currently ranks no. 7 in their farm system, according to MLB.com. The centerfielder made the jump to Double-A Jackson at the start of the 2019 season and slashed .235/.350/.529 with five extra-base hits and three stolen bases (in four chances) through 40 PA.
