Baseball Factory, founded by CEO Steve Sclafani in 1994, is widely recognized as the leader in player development and college placement in the United States.  Through its unique offerings—professional evaluations, fully edited player videos, professional instruction, tournaments, and ongoing guidance—Baseball Factory has helped more than 25,000 aspiring athletes to continue competing at the next level through successful placement in college programs.  Alex Swenson, currently a sophomore catcher for the Jacksonville University Dolphins, is one of the many success stories to come through the Baseball Factory doors.

 

Swenson, a Mount Vernon, Virginia native, first began working with Baseball Factory in January of 2002, receiving catching, hitting, speed and strength training during his high school years.  Alex’s skills continued to develop through his participation in Pitching/Catching and Hitting Mini Camps and the professional one-on-one training offered by Baseball Factory’s staff.  At Mount Vernon High School, he had an impressive career as a 4-year starter for the Majors, where he led his team to three straight district titles.  

 

As a high school freshman, Alex earned all-district honors after committing only one error in 183 total chances, while throwing out 41% of stealing base runners.  As a sophomore, he was named to the all-district team after leading the squad with a .541 OB%.  In his third season, Swenson earned All-Northern Virginia Regional and all-district honors after leading the Majors with a .567 OB%, committing only one error in 187 total chances, and ranking second on his team with 30 hits, 23 runs and a .429 batting average.  During the summer following his junior year (2005), Alex was invited to participate in the prestigious Team One South and Team One East showcases as he continued to develop his skills through Baseball Factory programs.  

 

Perhaps his biggest achievement came in January 2006, when he became the first player to be named to the Baseball Factory Pre-Season All-America team four years in a row.  Alex left a final mark on Mount Vernon High School’s baseball program with an outstanding senior year, batting over .400 with a .561 OB% and a .824 SLG%.  Meanwhile, in AAU competition, he batted .388 with a .600 slugging percentage and committed only two errors in 197 total chances.  His standout performances led the American Legion Post 24 team to a second-place finish in a national championship tournament in Tempe, Arizona.   

 

“As an undersized catcher (5’6) who loves the game more than any player I have been around in my 15 years, Alex simply outworked the competition and achieved his dream of playing Division I baseball,” said Baseball Factory CEO and Founder, Steve Sclafani.  “It was a long, tough road, but Alex understood that commitment to player development was the key to his success.  This kid continues to defy the odds and with his heart and determination there is no telling how far he can go at this great game of baseball.”

 

Swenson, a 2006 graduate of Mount Vernon High School finishing in the top 15% of his class, currently competes at the Division I collegiate level with the Jacksonville University Dolphins of the Atlantic Sun Conference.  He was placed at Jacksonville after on-going guidance and advisement by the Baseball Factory Exclusive Program staff.  After red-shirting his first season, Swenson appeared in 13 games in 2008, including one start at catcher against Dallas Baptist in May.  In April, he went 1-for-2 and scored a season-high two runs against Georgia Southern.  Swenson earned Atlantic Sun Academic All-Conference honors and was named to the Dean’s List.

 

Alex continued his success this year, appearing in 19 games and starting six for the Dolphins.  In 39 at-bats he stroked 14 hits (including two homeruns), scored 12 runs, and drove in nine runs while compiling a .359 average.  Only a sophomore, he matched his success at the plate with a 1.000% fielding percentage through his 19 appearances thus far in the 2009 season.  

   

As expressed by Baseball Factory President, Rob Naddelman, Swenson not only displayed solid fundamentals and above-average execution of all aspects of the game, but he also stood out through his tremendous work ethic and enthusiasm.  He is a “hard worker with a great attitude,” Naddelman attests—the type of player Baseball Factory strives to develop and direct toward higher-level playing opportunities.