Even though there aren’t many people who can say what they’re waiting for Detroit Tigers While fewer say they expect the team to make the playoffs before the season starts in 2024, fewer say they expect the team to do so after suffering a sell-off at the trade deadline.

Trades at the deadline, initially seen as a sign of defeat, quickly became a turning point for the Tigers later this year, and by playing well, they went on an unheard of run. enough to clinch the third Wild Card spot in the playoffs.

The one piece they acquired as part of the trade deadline, Trey Sweeney, has proven to be a vital cog in the machine for Detroit.

Sweeney made his Major League debut on August 16, just two weeks after arriving as part of Jack Flaherty’s comeback. Los Angeles Dodgersand his performance was enough for Joel Reuter. Bleach Report It earned him honorable mention and a spot right at the top of the top 25 in Reuters’ shortstop power rankings.

Offensively, this wasn’t the best start to a career for Sweeney, as he batted .218/.269/.373 with four home runs, 17 RBIs and an 81 OPS+ in 119 plate appearances in 36 games.

Despite struggling to find his footing at the Major League level, Sweeney was superb defensively, making two above-average starts in his short tenure with the team, making nine above-average starts over 162 games, good enough for the No. 1 ranking. 78th percentile in Major League Baseball Baseball Master.

Sweeney’s defense more than made up for his lack of consistent production at the plate, and the young infielder finished the year with a 0.8 bWAR in 162 strikeouts, on pace for a 3.6 bWAR.

Sweeney spent time at the Triple-A level for the first time in his career this year, batting .267/.345/.450 with 15 home runs, 71 RBIs and 20 stolen bases in 487 plate appearances in 107 plate appearances. Shows good speed and the ability to hit well situationally with a high RBI total.

The shortstop has proven durable throughout his time as a professional baseball player, as he has played in 100 or more games in each of his three full years since being drafted in 2021.

Sweeney got a taste of the Major Leagues in 2024, and with his performance so far, he could be a big part of the Tigers’ future plans, at least defensively.