On Friday, Aug. 16, Trey Sweeney (‘18) took the field as a Tiger for the first time since high school, but this time versus the New York Yankees. The rookie was welcomed to the show by facing the 2023 American League Cy Young winner, Gerrit Cole.

The Yankees drafted Sweeney with the 20th overall pick in 2021, but traded him to the L.A. Dodgers last year. Prior to his big league start, the Tigers picked up the power hitting shortstop.

Sweeney gained recognition for his hard work and impressive performances in the minor leagues. Sweeney was the number 20 overall prospect in the Tigers’ farm system before his debut. Over the course of about three years in the minors, the crafty shortstop batted .254 with 51 HRs, 190 RBIs, and 75 stolen bases.

While the Tigers fell against the team that drafted Sweeney, the St. X kid knocked in his first major league hit in a 1 for 3 performance.

Coach Andy Porta (‘85) was present in Detroit to support Sweeney for this milestone, along with several other family members: “It was one of those goosebump moments,” Porta said. “It was really, really cool…it’s one of those moments that you’re just so proud of.”

Since his big league start, Sweeney has represented the Tigers well by scoring the game-tying run in the Little League Classic and hitting a two-run homer to ultimately beat the Cubs at historic Wrigley Field for his first major league bomb.

Throughout the entirety of Sweeney’s career, the St. X community will continue to stand right behind the alum and eagerly follow his journey, wherever that may take him.