Perspective: Swarzak bounces back
Twins pitcher Anthony Swarzak isn't quite in carefree mode, but he's a lot closer than he's been in quite some time.
Swarzak, a big right-hander taken in the second round of the 2004 draft, came into the 2007 season as one of the top arms in a very deep Minnesota system, perhaps a shade behind Matt Garza and Kevin Slowey. But just two starts into his Double-A debut, Swarzak had to pay the price for making what he considers the biggest mistake of his career. Testing positive for a recreational drug -- word is it was marijuana -- Swarzak had to put his career and development on hold to serve a 50-game suspension.
"For about 30 games, I just sat and I really got to reflect, sitting in the stands, wanting to be part of the team," he said. "There definitely was a feeling of letting down the team, my family, the whole organization. I worried about what I had to do to get better and prepared for my comeback."
When Swarzak did come back, he pitched much like the guy who previously was ranked so highly within the organization. In 13 starts the rest of the way, he posted a 2.67 ERA. After the Eastern League All-Star break, Swarzak held opponents to a .226 average. More important than how he handled hitters, however, was how he dealt with the suspension and the adversity.
"Obviously, he made a bad decision, but he took responsibility, he was accountable for his actions," Twins farm director Jim Rantz said. "Every place he went, he had to answer those questions. He did a nice job and he was held accountable for his actions and he didn't duck any of his responsibilities. It was a tough lesson to learn, but hopefully down the road it'll pay off for him.
"Hopefully, that doesn't happen again because next time, it's really a bad situation. But we're behind anyone who makes that type of mistake."
Any organization can give lip service like that, but how many actually mean it? The Twins did, and it's not something that was lost on the young pitcher.
"I'm glad they're still behind me," Swarzak said. "It is a very genuine organization, one that truly cares about its players, and that goes from Terry Ryan all the way through."
Swarzak says certain people in particular were helpful as he dealt with the situation. Pitching coach Gary Lucas, who is with him here in Arizona as the Phoenix Desert Dogs pitching coach, was very supportive. So was Gary Knapp, the Twins Minor League pitching coordinator. Without him, going through the ordeal would have been a lot more difficult.
"He was very understanding," Swarzak said of Knapp. "He had a lot of good stuff to say and helped put things in perspective."
Swarzak's outlook is obviously much sunnier than it was back in April. The support of the organization and the decision to send him to Arizona have done wonders for his confidence and make him realize the Twins still think highly of his abilities.
"I was very eager to do well in such a prestigious league," Swarzak said. "If you can put up numbers here, it says a lot about who you are as a player and about your character. I'm trying to show I'm still a prospect and can get the job done."
The Twins clearly think he has the potential to do just that, otherwise they wouldn't have sent him to Arizona in the first place. And it's not just about Swarzak's natural talent, but the organization's faith that he's headed in the right direction after his earlier indiscretion.
"He has a high ceiling. He was one of our top prospects coming into the year," Rantz said. "He's got what you're looking for -- a good arm with a three-pitch mix. We felt he did what he needed to do. He never balked at anything we asked him to do. [Sending him to the Arizona Fall League] was an opportunity to get some more innings, which he desperately needed. Better yet, in his mind, it was a vote of confidence by the front office that we're behind you."
Swarzak appears to have received the message. Everyone, in baseball as well as life in general, deserves a second chance. With the bright Arizona sun shining down on him, it seems that Swarzak is determined to take full of advantage his opportunity.
"I paid my dues. I just want to put it behind me," he said. "I definitely learned a few lessons from this. I'll never forget it, I'll tell you that much, and I'll never put myself in that situation again."
Jonathan Mayo is a reporter for MLB.com.
Everything you need to know for Triple-A Opening Day
First, there was big league Opening Day. Now it's Triple-A's turn to take the spotlight. The Minor League season opens Friday when the Triple-A International League and Pacific Coast League seasons get underway for the first of MiLB’s two Opening Days. And right out of the gates, several of baseball's
Top prospects to watch at Triple-A -- one for each organization
It’s Triple-A’s turn up to bat on Friday. The regular season begins for the Minor Leagues’ highest level one day after the action starts on the Major League side. Fun fact: it’ll be the earliest start to a Minor League season since 1951 (March 27). Double-A, High-A and Single-A will
Here's where every Top 100 prospect is expected to start the season
The 2025 Opening Day prospect roster announcements began last week when the Cubs informed Matt Shaw (MLB No. 19) he was making the trip overseas to compete in the Tokyo Series. Roki Sasaki (No. 1) also received the good news, but his assignment was much less of a surprise. Now
Nationals prospect King joins MiLB podcast
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
Here are the 2025 All-Spring Breakout Teams
Fifteen games, several jersey swaps and countless highlights later, the second edition of Spring Breakout has officially concluded – and it lived up to its billing. Of the 16 contests sprinkled across four days, only one game (Dodgers vs. Cubs) was rained out. Coincidentally, the Cubs were one of two
Rox young sluggers aim to bring pop back to Coors Field
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Coors Field may provide the best run-scoring environment in Major League Baseball, but the Rockies haven’t taken advantage of it in recent years. Even without adjusting for Coors, they have fielded offenses worse than the league average the past three seasons, and they scored the fewest runs
Astros brass sees potential in consistently 'underranked' farm system
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- The last time the Astros landed in the top 10 of MLB Pipeline’s farm system rankings was before the 2019 season. Since those rankings expanded to all 30 teams ahead of the 2020 season -- 11 lists in total -- they’ve never ranked higher than
Complete results and highlights from Spring Breakout
The second edition of MLB Spring Breakout is complete, and there was no shortage of highlights from the future stars of Major League Baseball over the four-day showcase. Here's a complete breakdown of the 16-game exhibition:
Southpaw Spring Breakout: White Sox future on display with Schultz, Smith
GLENDALE, Ariz. -- If all goes as planned for the White Sox, left-handers Hagen Smith and Noah Schultz won’t spend much time following each other to the mound in a single game. Schultz, the No. 1 White Sox prospect and No. 16 overall, per MLB Pipeline, and Smith, who is
In first pro game, Rainer offers pop, promise to Tigers fans
NORTH PORT, Fla. -- Bryce Rainer’s pro career consisted of workouts and batting practice until Sunday.
'Me and Brady on the dirt again': House, King reunite at Spring Breakout
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- The 2025 Spring Breakout was a flashback for Brady House and Seaver King. Over 10 years ago, the infielders were travel ball teammates in Georgia who shared the dream of making it to the Major Leagues. Now, they are top prospects in the same organization,
Lambert -- 'an adrenaline guy' -- hoping to be next Mets bullpen gem
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- Ryan Lambert loves throwing hard. He relishes the idea of getting to two strikes and blowing hitters away. “Get me in a game,” Lambert said, “cool things will happen.”
Stewart embraces Spring Breakout: 'What's not to love?'
PHOENIX -- Sal Stewart was one fired-up Reds prospect. On Sunday in the first inning during the organization's 9-7 Spring Breakout win over Brewers prospects, Stewart lifted a 2-2 pitch that sailed over the center fielder's head to the wall. Already not known as a speedster, he stumbled running between
Prospect Peña quietly drawing raves in Brewers' farm system
PHOENIX – Jesús Made was at the top of the Brewers’ lineup for Sunday’s 9-7 loss to the Reds in the finale of MLB’s four-day Spring Breakout, a fitting perch when you consider that the 17-year-old infielder is under a bright spotlight as MLB Pipeline’s No. 55 prospect. Made could
Brecht -- in 1st outing since '24 Draft -- wows at Spring Breakout
GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Sunday's Spring Breakout showcase was the perfect unveiling for Rockies No. 5 prospect Brody Brecht. A right-handed pitcher from the University of Iowa whom the Rockies selected 38th overall last summer, Brecht had a nice collegiate resume, an interesting backstory as a former wide receiver for the
Braves prospects show promise in Spring Breakout
NORTH PORT, Fla. -- As Terry Pendleton prepared to serve as the manager of the Braves prospect team that played the Tigers prospect team in a Spring Breakout game on Sunday afternoon, he said fans should be patient with John Gil and Luis Guanipa, a pair of teenagers who have
Yanks' Lagrange flashes triple-digit heat in Spring Breakout
SARASOTA, Fla. -- There was an audible “Ooh” from the crowd at Ed Smith Stadium, and Carlos Lagrange quickly glanced beyond the right-field wall, checking the velocity of the pitch he’d just thrown in Saturday’s 5-4 Spring Breakout loss to the Orioles. It had registered in the triple digits, and
Bradfield dedicates Spring Breakout performance to late friend
SARASOTA, Fla. -- It was about more than playing in the national spotlight. More than the dinner bet placed with an old college teammate earlier in the month. More than a game. As Enrique Bradfield Jr. slid home to score a run during the first inning of Saturday night’s Spring
'Hungry' Alcántara hoping to pounce on big league prey in '25
MESA, Ariz. -- The thing about jaguars is, you don’t want to see one when it’s hungry. So when Cubs legend Sammy Sosa spoke to the organization’s No. 6 prospect per MLB Pipeline -- and the No. 89 prospect overall -- the former slugger gave him some apt advice. “His
Rainiers broadcaster Pay talks historic role on MiLB podcast
Check out the latest episodes of The Show Before the Show, MiLB.com's official podcast. A segment rundown is listed below, in case you want to skip to a particular section. Like the podcast? Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts. The podcast is also available via Spotify, Megaphone and other
Prospect Santos 'electric' in Spring Breakout start
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Malcolm Moore knew Winston Santos was locked in before he even threw a pitch. In the second annual Spring Breakout game, Santos -- the Rangers’ No. 5 prospect, per MLB Pipeline -- was throwing to Moore, the Rangers’ No. 4 prospect and highest-ranked catcher. The battery more
Switch-pitcher Cijntje deals from both sides in Spring Breakout
GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- Jurrangelo Cijntje knew who’d be waiting for him in the batter’s box when he emerged from the visiting bullpen on Friday evening. The Mariners’ switch-pitcher had seen Guardians infielder Travis Bazzana recently at a card-signing event, to which they each joked, “I’m going to see you soon,”
Fans in this Minor League town are hungry for ... the Spicy Meatballs?!?
Benjamin Hill travels the nation collecting stories about what makes Minor League Baseball unique. This excerpt from his newsletter is a mere taste of the smorgasbord of delights he offers every week. Read the full newsletter here, and subscribe to his newsletter here.
Chandler adds mix to upper-90s heat in stellar Spring Breakout start
CLEARWATER, Fla. -- In the inaugural Spring Breakout game a year ago, as he was coming out to pitch the ninth inning, Bubba Chandler slammed a Red Bull and declared “let’s do this” before pumping upper-90s heat.