Although few can say that they expected that Detroit Tigers to make the playoffs in 2024 before the season started, even fewer can say they expected the team to do so after suffering a trade at the trade deadline.

In what was initially seen as a sign of defeat, the trade at the deadline quickly became a turning point in what has been a year for the Tigers, as they embarked on an unprecedented stretch, playing well. enough to land the third Wild Card spot for the playoffs.

One piece they received in the trade deadline deal, Trey Sweeney, proved to be a vital cog in the machine down the stretch for Detroit.

Sweeney made his Major League debut on August 16, a little more than two weeks after arriving as part of Jack Flaherty’s return to management. Los Angeles Dodgersand his performance was enough for Joel Reuter to Money launderers report to give him an honorable mention, landing just on the cusp of the top 25 in Reuter’s shortstop power rankings.

Offensively, it wasn’t the best start to Sweeney’s career, as he hit .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 place at the plate at the Major League level, Sweeney was spectacular defensively, accumulating two strikeouts above average during his short tenure with the team, a pace of nine strikeouts above of average in 162 games, good enough to land in the 78th percentile in Major League Baseball by Baseball scholar.

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

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

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

Sweeney has gotten a taste of the big leagues in 2024, and with what he’s shown so far, at least defensively, he could play a big role in the Tigers’ plans moving forward.