Baseball
- Title:
- Assistant Coach
CONTACT
Twitter: @tannerswanson
Email: tswanny@uw.edu
Phone: 206.221.5603
In five seasons as the volunteer assistant coach for the University of Washington, Tanner Swanson earned a reputation as a tireless worker andΒ one of the best catching instructors in the nation. In addition to hisΒ mentorship of the Husky catchers, he playedΒ a significant role in the day to day development of the programsβ hitting, base-running and short game while also serving as the Director of the Washington Baseball School.
Since Swansonβs arrival in 2012, Husky catchers have risen to rank among the best in the Pac-12 Conference in fewest passed balls (33), fewest wild pitches (155), and third fewest stolen bases allowed (182). During his tenure, UW catchers have garnered four All-Pac-12 Conference selections, two All-Pac-12 Defensive Team recipient, and threeΒ MLB Draft picks - led by Austin Rei who was selected in the third round of the 2015 MLB Draft, the highest drafted catcher in UW history.
In 2017, Swanson mentored Joey Morgan to an All-Pac-12 season in which he also represented the Conference's catchers on the All-Defensive team. Morgan was semi-finalist for the Johnny Bench Award and a 2017 Baseball America Second Team All-American. He was selected in the fourth round of the MLB Draft -- the second highest a UW Β backstop has ever been selected.
In 2016, Swanson helped Morgan emerge asΒ an All-Pac-12 player andΒ one of the conference's best defensive backstops. As a true freshman in 2015, Morgan filled in for an injured Rei making 40 appearances and starting 38 games behind the plate, both the second most by a UW freshman. That season, Morgan led the conference in caught stealing percentage (53.2%) and was one of only two everyday catchers that caught more base stealers than he allowed. Morgan, a 2016 Johnny Bench Watch List nominee, is expected to be one of the nationβs top collegiate catchers selected in the 2017 Major League Baseball Professional draft.Β
Swanson was also instrumental in the development of Austin Rei into one of the nationβs elite catching prospects. Rei was just the second collegiate catcher selected in the 2015 MLB Draft (3rd Rd, 81st overall) by the Boston Red Sox β the highest selection by a Husky catcher in program history. Rei was an Honorable Mention All-Pac-12 selection in 2015 despite only playing in 25 games due to a UCL injury. In 2014, Rei garnered both All-Pac-12 and All-Pac-12 Defensive Team accolades and played a vital role in the resurgence of Husky Baseball back into the post-season.
Since 2014, the Huskies have made two NCAA Regional Appearances (2014, 2016) led by the strong catching core of Morgan and Rei. During that span, the Huskies have the second best overall winning percentage among Pac-12 Conference members (.613).
Swanson came to the UW as a graduate manager for the 2011-2012 season and, after briefly ascending into the role of Director of Baseball Operations, moved in to a coaching position in the fall of 2012.Β
Prior to coming to Washington, Swanson was the head baseball coach at Green River Community College in Auburn, Washington, for the 2011 season.
Before moving to Green River, Swanson worked as a lecturer in the School of Physical Education and School Health while also serving as an assistant coach at his alma mater, Central Washington University (CWU), in 2010. In 2009, Swanson was an assistant coach at Everett Community College and in 2008, he taught and coached baseball at Sultan High School.Β
Swanson grew up in Roslyn, Washington, where he attended Cle Elum-Roslyn High School, graduating in 2001. He went to Green River for one season and Everett CC for another, earning All-NWAACC honors as a sophomore in 2003. From there, he transferred to CWU, where he was an academic all-conference selection.Β
Swanson earned a Bachelor of Science in Physical Education and School Health from CWU and is on track to complete his Masters in Sports Administration and Leadership from Seattle University this spring.Β
Β
Swanson also runs @D1catching, a popular social media account on Twitter dedicated to online catching instruction.
He and his wife Laura, are the parents of two daughters, Tatum (6) and Harper (6).Β
In July of 2017, Swanson announced he was joining Santa Clara in a full-time assistant coaching role.
