Prep Baseball Illinois Player of the Week: Jack Swaney
March 19, 2024
1B Jack Swaney (2024; Northern Illinois commit) took no time to get his bat going in the first week of IHSA action, helping his team to a perfect 4-0 record to start the year while going 7-for-16 with four home runs, one double, 10 RBIs and six runs scored.
Swaney’s most impressive game came in a 10-9 victory over Joliet West on Saturday, where he went 2-for-4 with two home runs, four RBIs, two runs scored and a walk. The following game on Saturday, Swaney went 2-for-4 once again with a home run, two RBIs and a run scored.
1B/LHP Jack Swaney (Rochester, 2024; Northern Illinois signee) drills a HR over the RF fence.
— Prep Baseball Illinois (@PrepBaseballIL) March 16, 2024
Strong, physical middle-of-the-order type LH bat. #MEKOC24 pic.twitter.com/46by1Ztbzp
The left-handed hitter had a stellar game on Wednesday too, as he helped the Rockets take down Normal Community 10-5 after he went 2-for-4 with a home run, double, four RBIs and two runs scored.
In his first game of the week, he went 1-for-4 with a walk in a 12-0 victory over Hillsboro.
He even hopped on the mound a couple times throughout the week, the first being in the win over Hillsboro with three shutout/hitless innings, striking out four - while the second was another three inning stint against Galesburg where he surrendered just two hits without allowing a run and striking out three.
Currently ranked No. 88 in the state, Swaney is one of the more imposing left-handed hitters in the state. He has some moxy to him at the plate, and his operation is simple, yet explosive and allows him the ability to cover the plate and drive the ball anywhere in the park. It’s a mature feel to hit that profiles to play in the middle of the order at the next level.
Swaney is primed for a big senior season, and this past week is just a glimpse of what we can expect to see all spring long.
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Scouting Report
Verbally committed to Northern Illinois.
Strong, physically built 6-foot-3, 225-pound frame that’s imposing on the diamond and football field, where he plays tight end and defensive end for the Rockets. Left-handed hitter that hit in the two-hole. Has a presence to him at the plate, works in rhythm from a simple, controlled operation. Clear bat strength, stays short and direct to the baseball, covers the whole plate and drives the ball where it's pitched. Was on the barrel twice with authority in this look. Swatted a double the other way in his first at-bat, squared a hard single back up the middle later on. Polished with feel to hit, competed at the plate with minimal swing-and-miss. Has the potential to be a true impact bat at the next level with middle-of-the-order type power.