Blake Aubry Swihart (SWY-hart)...Is married to wife, Shelby...Graduated from V. Sue Cleveland High School in Rio Rancho, New Mexico...Also played football and basketball…Attended Rio Rancho High School in freshman and sophomore years and was primarily a pitcher…Moved to catcher as a junior at V. Sue Cleveland H.S…Played for USA Baseball’s 18U National Team in 2010 and led the club with a .448 average…Played in the 2010 AFLAC All-American High School Baseball Classic…Was the highest-drafted player out of New Mexico since Shane Andrews in 1990...Won the 2018 Tim Wakefield Award, given to a Red Sox player/individual who best exemplifies the charitable spirit shown by the former pitcher…Also earned the 2018 BoSox Club’s Man of the Year Award for contributions to the success of the Red Sox and for cooperation in community endeavors…In 2018, served as Boston’s Home Base captain...Visited patients at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston Children’s Hospital, and the Home Base Clinic...Also participated in One Boston Day visits and met soldiers as part of PALS for Patriots.
2020
Spent the season with Texas at their Alternate Training Site.
2019
Combined to bat .163 (15-92) with 4 HR and 13 RBI in 43 games with BOS and ARI…produced his most HR since 2015 (5)… was 2-for-15 overall as a pinch-hitter…opened the season with the Red Sox, starting 6 games at catcher with one appearance each at 1B and RF…was 3-for-4 with a HR, 4/3 at OAK but went hitless in final 14 at bats with BOS…was designated for assignment on 4/16 and traded to ARI on 4/19...made starts in RF (6) and LF (5) with one game at 1B for the Diamondbacks…had pinch RBI single in first ARI plate appearance, 4/22 vs. PIT…lone multi-hit game was a 2-for-3 performance, 5/5 at COL…was 4-for-14 with 2 HR and 4 RBI over 6 games, 5/5-11 but was then 4-for-38 in final 17 G…was on the IL from 6/1-8/7 with a strained right oblique muscle…played a total of 17 games on rehab assignment at Visalia (High-A) and Reno (AAA) before being activated…appeared in just one more game for ARI before being designated for assignment on 8/12 and assigned outright to Reno on 8/14…overall for the Aces made starts at RF (12), LF (8), 1B (2), C (1), and CF (1)….played briefly for Mayaguez in Puerto Rican Winter League.
2018
Played 82 games for the Red Sox, 2 shy of his career high set in 2015 (84). Played 6 defensive positions: C (28 G, 16 GS); 1B (10 G, 5 GS); 2B (1 G); 3B (3 G, 1 GS); LF (9 G, 1 GS); and RF (14 G, 10 GS)...Made just 1 error, on 5/30 vs. TOR at 1B. Won the Tim Wakefield Award, given to a Red Sox player/individual who best exemplifies the charitable spirit shown by the former pitcher. Earned the BoSox Club's Man of the Year Award for contributions to the success of the Red Sox and for cooperation in community endeavors. From 6/26 through the end of the year, hit .280 (33- for-118) with 23 R, 8 2B, 3 HR, and 15 RBI in 48 games. Threw out 5 of 19 attempted base stealers (26.3%). Made his 1st career appearances at 1B, 2B, 3B, and RF...Made his 1st ML start at 1B on 5/30 vs. TOR, his 1st start in RF on 5/31 at HOU, his only appearance at 2B on 7/1 at NYY, and his 1st start at 3B on 7/29 vs. MIN. Hit .275 (36-for-131) from the left side, compared to .131 (8-for-61) from the right side...From 6/22 on, hit .353 (30-for-85) with a .968 OPS vs. RHP (.415 OBP, .553 SLG, 8 2B, 3 HR, 9 BB). Stole a career-high 6 bases in 7 attempts (85.7%). Recorded 5 pinch hits, tied with Brock Holt for the most on the team and T-7th in the AL...His 3 pinch-hit RBI were tied for 2nd on the team behind Holt (7). In 41 games coming off the bench, hit .348 (16-for46) with an .832 OPS...From 6/26 through the end of the season, batted .500 (13-for-26) with 9 runs, 4 2B, 7 RBI, and a 1.190 OPS when coming off the bench. Hit back-to-back HR with Mookie Betts on 7/24 at BAL and with Rafael Devers on 9/26 vs. BAL-G1. In 24 games batting in the top 5 spots in the order, hit .317 (13-for-41) with 4 2B and 7 RBI. Started as the DH in his season debut on 4/1 at TB, reaching base twice with a single and a walk. Threw out 3 of his opponents' first 5 stolen base attempts (60.0%) from the start of the season through 8/17, and 5 of their first 11 (45.5%) through 8/28. Recorded his 100th career hit on 5/6 at TEX. Hit safely in a career-high 11 straight games from 7/6-31, batting .406 (13-for-32) with 7 runs, 4 2B, 1 HR, 3 RBI, and 3 BB. His 11-game hitting streak was 1 shy of the Red Sox' season high of 12 (Betts and Martinez). From 6/26-9/8, reached base in 6 of 9 pinch-hit plate appearances, going 5-for-8 (.625) with a BB and 3 RBI. From July through the end of the season, hit .314 (11- for-35) with RISP...Went 6-for-8 (.750) with 6 RBI over 8 PA with RISP from 8/22-30. On 7/24 at BAL, hit his 1st ML homer since he hit 2 HR on 9/29/15 at NYY...Recorded his 1st career walk-off hit on 7/30 vs. PHI, an RBI double that scored Eduardo Núñez in the 13th inning...Entered the game as a pinch hitter in the 10th and caught 3.0 scoreless innings. Placed on the 10-day DL from 8/3-14 with a right hamstring strain. Drove in the winning runs in consecutive games on 8/22 & 8/23 vs. CLE. Entered consecutive games as a pinch hitter on 8/29 vs. MIA and 8/30 at CWS, recording 2 pinch-hit singles and reaching base in 4 of 4 PA in those games (3-for-3, 2B, 3 RBI, BB). Hit safely in 6 straight games with an at-bat from 9/19-26 (.350/7-for-20, 5 R, 2 HR, 3 RBI). Homered in consecutive games with an at-bat for the 1st time in his career on 9/22 at CLE and 9/26 vs. BAL-G1. Drove in a run in 3 straight games with an at-bat from 9/22-26 (G2), a career-long streak. POSTSEASON: Appeared in 3 postseason games as a pinch-hitter. Caught Craig Kimbrel in the bottom of the 9th inning in Game 4 of the World Series, a 9-6 win.
2017
Spent a majority of the season with Triple-A Pawtucket before joining BOS as a September call-up...Missed approximately 2 months of the season due to DL stints from 4/30-5/25 (left finger contusion) and 7/5-8/12 (left ankle inflammation). For the PawSox, made 43 starts at catcher and threw out 13 of 42 (31%) attempted base stealers. Also made 7 starts at 1B between the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League Red Sox and Pawtucket, his 1st career appearances at the position. Began the season with Pawtucket and went 7-for-21 (.333) with a HR and 7 RBI in his first 6 games. Played in 9 rehab games with the GCL Red Sox from 8/3-12 ...Reinstated from the DL on 8/13 and spent the rest of the season rotating between DH, 1B, and C. Recalled by BOS on 9/1 and appeared in 6 ML games...Entered the game on 9/3 at NYY as a pinch-hitter in the 9th inning and drew a walk...Marked his 1st ML appearance since 6/4/16 vs. TOR...In the Sox' 13-6, 15-inning win at TB on 9/15, pinch-ran for Sandy Leon in the 9th inning and caught the rest of the game (1-for-4)... Sox pitchers set a single-game franchise record with 24 SO, 10 of which were recorded with Swihart in the game. Following the season, hit .407 with a .515 OBP (11-for-27, 2 2B, 6 BB, 6 SO) in 9 games for Escogido in the Dominican Winter League...Played 6 games at catcher, 1 at 1B, 1 at DH, and 1 as a pinch-hitter.
2016
Made his 1st career Opening Day roster, but missed a majority of the season on the disabled list...Made his first 6 ML starts at catcher and his final 13 in LF. Became the only Red Sox player in the last 100 years (1917-2016) with 3+ triples, 0 doubles, and 0 HR in a season...The only other AL players to do that in the last 100 years are MIN's Chuck Baker in 1981 and NYY pitcher George Mogridge in 1917...CIN's Hernan Iribarren also had 3 3B, 0 2B, and 0 HR in 2016. Started the Sox' season opener on 4/5 at CLE...At 24 years old, became Boston's youngest Opening Day catcher since Rich Gedman in 1983 (23 years old). Optioned to Triple-A Pawtucket on 4/15...Played catcher, LF, and DH during his stint with the PawSox...Made his professional OF debut on 4/28 at Syracuse. Hit .313 with a .463 OBP during a 10-game stretch with the PawSox from 5/9-19 (10-for-32, 9 BB)...Recalled by BOS the following day on 5/20. Made his ML outfield debut on 5/20 vs. CLE, starting in LF. Hit .289 (11-for-38) with a .386 OBP in his final 11 games from 5/22-6/4. Tripled twice in the Sox' 10-3 win over COL on 5/25...Joined Jackie Bradley Jr. (4/30/16 vs. NYY) as the only Red Sox with 2+ triples from the No. 9 spot in the batting order in the last 100 years. Recorded his 1st ML outfield assist on 6/3 vs. TOR, throwing out Jose Bautista at 3B. Removed from the game on 6/4 vs. TOR after sliding into the wall attempting to make a catch in foul territory in the 7th inning...Was 1-for-1 with 2 BB and an RBI in the game. Placed on the 15-day disabled list with a left ankle sprain on 6/5...Transferred to the 60-day DL on 7/9. On 8/15, underwent successful surgery on his left ankle and missed the remainder of the season...Dr. Robert Anderson performed the surgery at Mercy Hospital in Charlotte, NC.
2015
Hit .274 (79-for-288) in 84 games for the Red Sox, best among AL catchers (min. 250 PA)...In debut ML season, led the team with 83 games and 78 starts behind the plate. His 84 games were the most by a Red Sox in his 1st ML season since Shea Hillenbrand in 2001 (139 games)...His 78 starts at catcher were the most for a 1st-year major leaguer since BAL's Matt Wieters in 2009 (84) and the 3rd-most for a 1st-year Red Sox behind Roy Partee (86 in 1943) and Gary Allenson (82 in 1978). His .274 AVG was the best by a rookie Red Sox catcher with at least 250 PA since Carlton Fisk hit .293 in 1972. Led AL catchers with a .306 AVG (60-for-196) from 6/11 through the end of the season (min. 125 PA) after going 19-for-92 (.207) in his first 28 games. Threw out 13 of 54 potential base stealers (24%). Batted .293 (61-for-208) with 19 of his 23 XBH and 4 of his 5 homers vs. RHP. Recalled from Triple-A on 5/2 after 18 games with Pawtucket...Made ML debut as BOS' starting catcher that day vs. NYY...Recorded 1st ML hit in the 5th inning, a single off Nathan Eovaldi. At 23 years and 29 days old on 5/2, became the youngest Red Sox starting catcher since Rich Gedman at 22 years old in 1982. Hit 1st major league HR on 6/4 vs. MIN, a solo shot with 2 out in the 3rd inning off Tommy Milone. Placed on the 15-day DL on 7/3 (retro to 7/1) with a sprained left foot...Played 4 games on rehab between Triple-A Pawtucket (2 G) and Double-A Portland (2 G)...Was activated on 7/20. Recorded a career-high 4 hits on 8/15 vs. SEA (4-for-5, 4 R, 2 2B, 3 RBI, BB) and 8/21 vs. KC (4-for-4, 3 R, 2 2B, 2 RBI)...Elias says the only other rookie catcher with multiple 4-hit games for BOS in a season was Johnny Peacock in 1938. On 8/28 at NYM, led off the 10th inning with an inside-the-park HR off Carlos Torres...Became the 1st BOS catcher with an inside-the-parker since Duane Josephson on 9/3/71, and the 1st Red Sox to hit one in extra innings (regardless of defensive position) since Joe Foy on 7/17/66 (10th inning)...According to Elias, was the 1st ML catcher with an ITPHR in extras since Bob Brenly on 8/29/84 (11th inning). Had 3 HR in his last 6 games of the season...Notched his 1st career multi-HR game and drove in a career-high 5 runs on 9/29 at NYY...At 23 years old, was the youngest Red Sox catcher with a multi-HR game since Mike Ryan on 5/2/65...According to Elias, was just the 3rd Red Sox rookie with multiple HR in a road game against the Yankees, joining Fred Lynn (4/16/75 at Shea Stadium) and Jason Varitek (9/15/98 at Yankee Stadium). Hit .311 (23-for-74) with 3 2B and 11 RBI in 20 games for Pawtucket to begin the year.
2014
Named the catcher on Baseball America's All-Star First Team and BA's Minor League Catcher of the Year...Spent most of the year with Double-A Portland and was named the Sea Dogs' MVP, as well as a mid-season Eastern League All-Star...Then won the Governors' Cup with Triple-A Pawtucket...Between the 2 clubs, combined to rank 6th among full-season Red Sox minor leaguers in AVG (.293) and was 5th in the system with career highs in both HR (13) and RBI (64)...Was primary catcher for a Sea Dogs team that posted the best season ERA in the EL (3.41)...Threw out 45.6 percent of attempted base stealers during the regular season, including an EL-best 47.5 percent (28 of 59) while with the Sea Dogs...Did not allow a passed ball all season...Hit .295 (77-for-261), 5 HR, 30 RBI against right-handed pitching and .290 (45-for-155), 8 HR, 34 RBI against lefties...Was the East Division's starting catcher in the EL All-Star Game on 7/16 in Altoona, in which he picked off a runner at 1B...Hit .320 in April, .303 in June, and .326 in July...Ranked 8th in the EL with a .324 AVG (46-for-142) over his last 40 Double-A games from 6/14-8/3...At time of 8/4 promotion to Triple-A, was leading the Sea Dogs in hits (104), 2B (23), and total bases (169)...In 5 playoff games for the Governors' Cup-champion PawSox, batted .333 (6-for-18) with 3 BB...Following the season, named the Red Sox' No. 1 prospect by Baseball America and the No. 1 catching prospect in the EL (No. 8 overall)...Tabbed by BA as the best catcher in the Red Sox system for a 4th straight year, as well as the best athlete among Boston minor leaguers.
2013
Named Red Sox Minor League Defensive Player of the Year and rated by Baseball America as the best defensive catcher in the Carolina League...Led Carolina League catchers in caught stealing percentage (41.5, 44 of 106), games (101), chances (841),putouts (743), and assists (88)...Ranked 3rd among Red Sox full-season batters and 5th among CL qualifiers with a .298 AVG…Placed 11th in the Carolina League in OBP (.366)...Tied for 3rd in the CL and tied for 2nd among Red Sox farmhands with 7 triples...Switch-hitter batted .367 (29-for-79) vs. RHP and .279 (83-for-297) vs. RHP...Hit .324 (22-for-68) with 12 walks and a .420 OBP in May, reaching safely in 18 of 21 games..Started behind the plate for the Carolina League in the California/Carolina League All-Star Game on 6/18 in San Jose, CA…Went 1-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored and nabbed only attempted base stealer...Tabbed Red Sox Minor League Defensive Player of Month for July (2 errors in 21 games)...Hit safely in 25 of his last 28 regular season games beginning on 7/24…Led the Carolina League with a .377 AVG (43-for-114) in that time...Caught all 5 postseason games en route to Salem's Mills Cup title...Following the season, named the No. 1 catching prospect and the No. 5 prospect overall in the Red Sox system by Baseball America…Also rated the No. 1 catching prospect in the Carolina League and the CL's No. 5 prospect overall by BA.
2012
Caught 27 of 86 (31.3%) opposing base stealers...Went 28-for-78 (.359) when leading off an inning...Hit safely in 18 of 20 games from 5/10-6/7 at .342 (26-for-76) with 9 extra-base hits and 16 RBI...Batted .322 (19-for-59) in June...Knocked in a season-high 5 runs on 6/2 vs. Charleston...Missed time on the DL from 8/1-8/14 with a right hip strain...Following the season, ranked by Baseball America as Boston's No. 1 catching prospect and No. 6 prospect overall…Selected as the No. 17 prospect overall in the South Atlantic League by the same publication.
2011
Ranked by Baseball America as Boston's No. 1 catching prospect and No. 3 prospect overall following the season.
