FREE: 2009 Topps Updates & Highlights Anthony Swarzak RC!!!

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Swarzak was #15 on the Baseball America Top Gulf Coast League Prospects list in 2004. He was Midwest League Pitcher of the Week (from May 23–30, 2005), the Twins' Pitcher of the Month (May 2005), Midwest League All-Star, and #8 on the Baseball America Top Midwest League Prospects list in 2005. In 2006 he was Florida State League Pitcher of the Week (from August 7–14, 2006) and a FSL Post-Season All-Star (2006).

Swarzak was one of the top rated prospects in the Twins' farm system before a fifty game suspension for violation of Minor League drug policy on April 20, 2007 sidetracked his career. He tested positive for marijuana. After having started the season with the Double A New Britain Rock Cats, upon his reinstatement from the restricted list on June 11, he was reassigned to Class A Advanced Fort Myers. After three games with the Miracle, he returned to New Britain.

He began the 2008 season with the Rock Cats, and went 3-8 with a 5.67 earned run average. After a promotion to Triple-A, his record actually improved to 5-0 with a 1.80 ERA in seven starts. He's been added to the Twins' 40 man roster, and spent his first spring with the Twins in 2009. Following Spring training, he was reassigned to Rochester. Swarzak suffered from a lack of run support in Rochester to start the season. Despite an ERA of 1.59 in his first three starts, his record stood at 0-3.

His record improved to 3-4 with a 2.25 ERA when he got the call to the majors on May 20. He filled in the starting rotation for the injured left-handed starter Glen Perkins.

Swarzak made his major league debut for the Twins on May 23, 2009 in a home game against the Milwaukee Brewers. He pitched seven shutout innings, giving up five hits and two walks while striking out three. The Twins won the game 6 – 2, earning Swarzak his first major league win.