 Schwinden was drafted by the Detroit Tigers in the 43rd round of the 2004 Major League Baseball Draft out of Golden West High School in Visalia, California, however he did not sign and attended and played baseball at Lewis-Clark State College (Idaho) in 2007; he then attended Fresno Pacific University in 2008.He was then drafted by the New York Mets in the 22nd round of the 2008 Major League Baseball Draft.He was called up to the majors for the first time on September 5, 2011 after a stellar season for the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons.