Braves shortstop Dansby Swanson celebrates after wrapping up a homestand with a walk-off single. (AP Photo/John Amis) Braves shortstop Dansby Swanson’s career may not have taken off as fast as it has for several of his teammates, but 2019 is looking like a breakout season for the former top prospect. Swanson’s hot start continued through Sunday, when he hit his third homer of the season and later added a walk-off single to top the Marlins, 4-3. Miami had just tied the game in the top of the frame, when left-hander Adam Conley quickly loaded the bases. The 25-year-old took two fastballs for balls and then turned on an inside pitch and hit it to the wall for the win. Tie ballgame in the bottom of the 9th. Take it away @LieutenantDans7!#ChopOn pic.twitter.com/UHIoYiGYqN — Atlanta Braves (@Braves) April 7, 2019 Swanson’s hot hitting is giving the Braves plenty to be excited about in this young season, as Atlanta is off to a 5-4 start. He’s playing well enough that he was moved up from the eight-hole to batting sixth on Sunday. Although it’s only been eight games, Swanson is hitting .346/.471/.731, and his .483 wOBA is 16th in the majors. He also already has three home runs after taking 35 games to do so last season. How about a home run AND a walk-off hit? Happy Birthday!#ChopOn pic.twitter.com/sSZWvLOlWI — Atlanta Braves (@Braves) April 7, 2019 Could Swanson be fulfilling his potential? As a Marietta, Georgia native and former No. 1 draft pick out of Vanderbilt, Swanson was expected to be the star of the Braves’ rebuild when they opened SunTrust Park in 2017. However, that hasn’t exactly been the case yet. Story continues Swanson has quickly been surpassed by Rookie of the Year Ronald Acuña Jr. and double play mate Ozzie Albies, as he has only hit .243/.314/.369 coming into this season. Still, the Braves have had faith in him and have kept him as the everyday starter. It’s important to remember that this is only eight games, so plenty could change. After all, Swanson was hitting .358/.394/.582 through the first three weeks of last season but came down to Earth after. But Swanson has shown reason to believe this breakout could be for real. His walk and strikeout rates are improved (both 17.6 percent), and his 89.9 mph exit velocity is more than three mph higher than his average last season. More from Yahoo Sports:<doc-sep>ATLANTA, GA - APRIL 7: Dansby Swanson #7 of the Atlanta Braves singles to knock in the game-winning run in the ninth inning against the Miami Marlins at SunTrust Park on April 7, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images) The Atlanta Braves bats go dry as they lose 4-2 to Marlins The Atlanta Braves bats go dry as they lose 4-2 to Marlins by John Le After Arodys Vizcaino blew the 3-2 lead in the top of the ninth, Dansby Swanson singled home the winning run in the bottom of the ninth as the Atlanta Braves defeated the Miami Marlins 4-3. The 2018 version of the Atlanta Braves had the propensity to make things dramatic in the later innings, and this year’s club took a page out of that playbook Sunday afternoon. Dansby Swanson hit a solo home run in the top of the fourth, which gave the Braves a 3-2 lead. Behind Sean Newcomb, that lead lasted until the ninth inning when Curtis Granderson hit a game-tying solo home run to right field off Arodys Vizcaino. That’s back-to-back shaky outings for Vizcaino, who was fortunate to escape a bases-loaded jam in Friday’s 4-0 win. Add this to A.J. Minter’s poor outing Saturday night and (insert Craig Kimbrel GIF here). I have spent more time on the bullpen over the past few months than any sane person should, so let me digress. Freddie Freeman got the Braves on the board first with an opposite field two-run home run in the first inning. It was Freeman’s first homer of the season. The Marlins answered right back in the top of the second with an RBI-infield single from the pitcher Caleb Smith and a bases-loaded walk by Miguel Rojas. Newcomb settled down after that, allowing just one base runner over his final four frames. In the bottom of the ninth, Freeman reached on an infield single, Ronald Acuna reached on catcher’s interference and Nick Markakis walked, which set up Swanson’s game-winning hit. Considering how downtrodden we all were after last weekend, it was a great bounce-back week for the Atlanta Braves, going 5-1, as they head to Colorado tomorrow. Not spectacular, but certainly very solid After the second inning, I’m guessing there were many Atlanta Braves fans clamoring for the eventual call up of Mike Soroka, after his impressive performance in Gwinnett last night. But I will give it to Newcomb, he located better from innings three to seven, including impressive strikeouts of Brian Anderson in the fifth and Starlin Castro in the sixth. With as easy as Newcomb’s delivery is, it’s fascinating to me how much he struggles with command. Yet, he walked in a runner in the second inning and it seemed he labored to find the zone. Who knows if Newcomb will be a top-of-the-rotation starter, but a middle-of-the-rotation starter seems like his destiny and there is nothing wrong with that. It’s hard not to get pumped about Dansby After reading David O’Brien’s story on The Athletic about Swanson meeting with Chipper Jones (due to pay wall restrictions, I can’t dive too deep) I am convinced Swanson will turn the corner this year and be an above average or better hitter. The one tidbit I can share with you about the story, that was mentioned on the broadcast today, was Chipper’s insistence on Swanson telling him what kind of hitter he can be. I think we have seen the answer from Swanson. He’s going to be a guy who sprays it all over the field and when given the chance, will turn on one and put it in the seats. I get it, the date is April 7, but there has never been this kind of optimism about Swanson, but am I the only one who feels this is a different kind of optimism? Stay grounded, folks Much like I said last Sunday after the Phillies swept the Braves, everybody just needs to relax and focus one game at a time. I get caught up in the moments, too. The wins are awesome and the losses stink. But this team is good and can be perhaps more with some additions (insert second Kimbrel GIF here).<doc-sep>“He’s laying off the sliders from right-handers away,” Freeman said. “When he gets pitches away, he’s able to drive them to the right side. But I was most impressed with that changeup he hit for a home run today. That’s an easy rollover for a lot of people. For him to stay into his legs and drive the ball to left-center -- if he continues to do that, he’s going to be an All-Star.”<doc-sep>Atlanta Braves News Swanson plays hero again as Braves beat Marlins 4-3 Dansby Swanson homered and then delivered a walk-off single in the ninth inning to give the Atlanta Braves a 4-3 win over the Miami Marlins Sunday at SunTrust Park. Sean Newcomb overcame a rough second inning to turn in a solid seven-inning outing. Freddie Freeman hit his first home run of the season in the first inning while the Braves completed a 5-1 homestead. Dansby Swanson, Freddie Freeman discuss Braves’ walk-off win over Marlins Postgame reaction by Dansby Swanson, Freddie Freeman and others following Sunday’s win. Swanson cashed in on dream scenario One of the best storylines of the season so far has been the maturation of Swanson who is healthy and putting up good numbers at the plate after struggling in his first two full seasons in the majors. Swanson has developed a penchant for coming through in the big moments and relishes in those opportunities. “I always loved to have the ball in that situation, and it’s no different here,” Introducing Braves Prospect Alex Jackson Alex Jackson made his major league debut on Sunday catching all nine innings in Atlanta’s 4-3 win over the Miami Marlins. Jackson is expected to share time with Tyler Flowers while Brian McCann is on the injured list. Jackson has had a lot of twists and turns in his development and our own Garrett Spain takes a closer look at his strengths and weaknesses. MLB News These 6 teams need Kimbrel the most MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand lists six teams that need free agent closer Craig Kimbrel the most. No surprise who tops the list. Dallas Keuchel’s asking price may be dropping Fox Sports’ Ken Rosenthal reports that Keuchel is looking for a one-year salary that is above the $17.9 million qualifying offer or is looking for a long-term contract at a lower average annual salary. Red Sox could activate Pedroia for home opener The Boston Red Sox may activate second baseman Dustin Pedroia in time for Tuesday’s home opener against Toronto. Pedroia battled knee issues and was limited to just three games in 2018. Puig among 5 ejected after Reds-Pirates incident Reds outfielder Yasiel Puig was one of five players that were ejected on Sunday in a benches clearing incident with the Pirates. The incident started after Chris Archer threw a fastball behind Derek Dietrich’s back. Dietrich homered in the second inning and took a few extra moments in the box to admire his blast.<doc-sep>
Shawn Newcomb overcame a shaky second inning while Dansby Swanson delivered a homer and a walk-off in the bottom of the ninth to give the Atlanta Braves a 4-3 win over the Miami Marlins. Atlanta takes the series and wraps up their homestand with a 5-1 record. Following the game, Dansby Swanson talked about how the game was a complete effort and how it is important that each player pick up their teammates along the way. A fan wanted a Dansby Swanson home run for her birthday. He gave her that ... and a walk-off hit. @Braves | #ChopOn pic.twitter.com/kjnC5NETFB — FOX Sports: Braves (@FOXSportsBraves) April 7, 2019 During his postgame media availability, Brian Snitker discussed how comfortable he is with Swanson at the plate when the game is on the line. He also talked about Sean Newcomb’s game and how he battled back after a rough second inning to give the Braves seven innings. "I always feel good in that situation with Dansby. He always has a knack of rising to the occasion." -- Brian Snitker has a comfort level when it comes to @Braves' Mr. Clutch with the game on the line.#Braves | #ChopOn pic.twitter.com/pv8VEXbykT — FOX Sports: Braves (@FOXSportsBraves) April 7, 2019 Freddie Freeman got things started for the Braves with a two-run home run in the first. He discussed Swanson’s game-winner and the adjustments he has seen from Atlanta’s young shortstop early on in the season. "No doubt in my mind that he was going to come through. Winners come through and Dansby's a winner." -- Freddie Freeman on his shortstop's latest clutch hit to provide walk-off win over Marlins. @Braves | #ChopOn pic.twitter.com/3rDpljSAMK — FOX Sports: Braves (@FOXSportsBraves) April 7, 2019 Sean Newcomb overcame a shaky start to throw seven strong innings while allowing just four hits and two runs. He talked about his performance and how he was able to lock in after the third inning. Newcomb also talked about working with Alex Jackson who was catching his first major league game behind the plate.