the 1983 Major League Baseball draft. However, he declined to sign, opting to return to college for his senior year despite warnings that he might not be drafted as highly again. His decision to consult an agent while still a junior led to NCAA sanctions, resulting in Swift being suspended for one-third of his senior season.

Despite the suspension limiting him to a 5-3 record with a 1.77 ERA in his senior year, Swift was selected second overall by the Seattle Mariners