After agreeing to sign Shohei Ohtani and agreeing to re-sign Joe Kelly, the Dodgers found themselves needing to eliminate two members of the 40-man roster in order to make room for Ohtani and Kelly. Thus AF/BG engineered a deal with NYY by trading LHRP Victor Gonzalez and INF Jorbit Vivas for 24 year old SS Trey Sweeney.
Sweeney grew up in Louisville, Kentucky, and attended St. Xavier High School. As a senior, he batted .389 with 41 RBIs and 18 stolen bases as St. Xavier won the state championship.
Eastern Illinois gave him the only D-1 scholarship offer. While at Eastern Illinois, he was an All American (first in school history), and was Ohio Valley Conference Player of the Year. For Eastern Illinois he was known more for his bat than his defense, and was considered one of the best college bats in the draft. Going into the draft, while he was considered a competent defensive SS, it was also believed that Sweeney would have to be moved to a corner position or utility.
In college, he was considered a bat to ball over power hitter, although he did showcase a top SLG. He slashed .382/.522/.712/1.234 with 14 homers in 48 games, walking 46 times with just 24 strikeouts. I am a conference snob when it comes to College Baseball. It is not that quality players cannot come from mid-tier programs, but the players just do not face enough elite competition on a continued basis to know if they can stand up to the best of the best. That was a concern of many scouts before the draft.
Nevertheless, MLB Pipeline named Sweeney one of the 5 draft prospects with a lot of helium going into the draft, and had this to say at the time:
In a year in which college position players who have performed at the plate are at a premium, Sweeney has stood out by hitting .382/.522/.712 with 14 homers and nearly twice as many walks (46) as strikeouts (24). His bat is real — he has outstanding hand-eye coordination and timing at the plate that allows him to make consistent hard contact — and could make him the third first-round pick in Eastern Illinois history.
It only takes one team to make a decision, and NYY chose to go with the elite bat to ball skills and believe that it would translate at the MLB level. Sweeney was the first round pick of NYY in 2021 (20th overall), and signed for $3MM. He was Eastern Illinois’ third first round draft pick.
The defensive critics have been somewhat muted of late. Even though he still does not project to be a GG SS, he has played SS exclusively since signing. The lefty-hitting Sweeney, who draws comps to DJ LeMahieu for his size, hitting ability and versatility, might wind up as a third baseman down the road.
This did not seem to disappoint Sweeney. He was quoted:
“I’ll play wherever they need me to, whenever they ask me to,” Sweeney told Mike Ashmore at My Central Jersey in April. “(Versatility), you want to be as (versatile) as you can, so you can have more opportunities.”
Sweeney moved through the organization without much difficulty. He reached AA in the year after his draft, and played at AA for all of 2023.
Sweeney missed a month on the injured list in Double-A from August to September, and hit .273/.373/.409 in his final 11 games of the season after his return from the IL. For the season, Sweeney batted .252/.367/.411 with 13 home runs, 20 doubles, 20 steals, and a 118 wRC+ for Double-A Somerset in 2023, with a high walk rate (13.8 percent) and low strikeout rate (19.1 percent). Both his strikeout and walk rates were the best of Sweeney’s career.
Sweeney was quoted in a September interview with Dugout Station:
“I think my at-bats have gotten better this year. Getting a full year to experience professional pitching and realize what they do and how they attack your weaknesses.” I’ve been a lot more patient this year. Seeing more pitches helped me grow, for sure.”
The Dodgers, having no true SS prospect at the upper levels, were eager to acquire one. NYY already had a younger and better defensive SS in Anthony Volpe, so the process of moving Sweeney to 3B was still a consideration, as well as a trade option.
Thus on December 11, 2023, the Dodgers acquired Trey Sweeney from NYY for the aforementioned Victor Gonzalez and Jorbit Vivas.
After the trade to LAD, Baseball Prospectus had this to say:
A former first-round pick, Sweeney has never hit a ton in the pros due in part to a funky, longer hand path that has impacted his ability to consistently tap into his above-average raw power—although his swing plane is geared for it. He also has a patient, veering towards passive, approach that can land him in bad counts, although does allow him to garner bunches of walks—at least so far in the minors.
Before the trade, MLB Pipeline rated Sweeney as the #8 NYY prospect. After the trade, MLB Pipeline named Sweeney as the LAD #18 prospect, and said this in his scouting report:
“Though Sweeney employs a big leg kick and has a hitch in his left-handed swing, his uncanny hand-eye coordination allows him to barrel balls and make a lot of hard contact. He struggled at the outset of last season when he got aggressive, but he toned down his approach and did a better job of controlling the strike zone. Factor in his ability to recognize pitches, strength and bat speed, and he has the ingredients to hit for power and average.”
“Sweeney has some deceptive athleticism and has worked to improve his speed, which has gone from below average in college to average as a pro to solid once he gets underway. He swiped 31 bases in 34 attempts last year and also showed improved range at shortstop, where he’s an average defender. He’ll still probably move to third base in the future, and his bat, reliable hands and solid arm strength all will fit nicely at the hot corner.”
Sweeney has been assigned to Tulsa, but I expect him to begin the season with the Oklahoma City Baseball Club (AAA).
New #Dodgers infield prospect Trey Sweeney has a very satisfying swing and bat speed that could allow him to grow into some solid power from the left side pic.twitter.com/apCTAgGHHI
No question about that Jefe. Busch, Vargas, Sweeney. All mid 20s, all successful minor league players, could be a terrific starting infield at AAA, but as far as we know, none really targeted for a starting role in ‘24. Somebody has to go, right?
Last edited 6 months ago by Badger
Bluto
6 months ago
I’d love to see more trades. Blocked prospects for ones like Sweeney, Ryan, Frasso.
In 2019, the Dodgers drafted a big RH hitting 3B with their first round pick (25th overall), Kody Hoese. Many looked at his Tulane numbers and were convinced Hoese was the next great 3B for the Dodgers. As I said then, and again in this post, I am a Baseball Conference snob. Tulane is in the American Athletic Conference (AAC), which is not a very deep conference. It certainly does not rival any of the Power 5 conferences, so the pitchers he faced throughout the season(s) did not equate to the SEC, ACC, Big 10, Big 12, or Pac 12. It is not on par with the Big West.
I also looked at his swing and spoke with a long time veteran scout about his swing. We both came to the conclusion that he was slow through the zone and would have a very hard time catching up to fastballs, especially those up in the zone. All that has proven to be true.
Trey Sweeney is more athletic than Hoese, but the concerns with not facing enough upper level pitching in the NCAA and with a long swing of his own give me some concern. It may take him a bit longer to get comfortable with a swing adjustment and facing top pitching. I was always more of a Michael Busch fan, and maybe I was bitter that the Dodgers chose Hoese over Gunnar Henderson.
My hope is that he is a good student with his swing development, where he can generate enough power for his inevitable move to 3B. While I never got on board the Kody Hoese train, I do have a lot of hope that Sweeney can develop enough to at least become a nice reserve/bench/utility option. Maybe he develops enough to get a shot as a regular 3B when Muncy is no longer a LAD. Maybe it will become a good competition between Sweeney and Jake Gelof.
Regardless, it was a very good trade getting a SS (3B) this close to MLB in the organization. There is just not enough AAA infielders to believe that Sweeney starts at AA, but maybe they want Sweeney to start the season with Scott Hennessey, Tulsa’s manager (7th year), to get him properly acclimated and comfortable in the Dodger MiLB system.
AA pitching is pretty good, right? Get the new Dodger Stroke developed there and move him up. If there is to be a position change, better do it starting now.
Jeff, when you were giving Sweeney’s background and mentioned East Carolina, I was waiting for you to give the Kody Hoese and non-Power conference comparison.
I also wondered if Sweeney was touted for where he was, but now is overmatched in AA ball.
Granted, plenty of guys have also done well from non power conferences so hopefully he’s one of em.
I mentioned Kody Hoese in one of my comments. I think it is fair to be concerned that Sweeney can become another Hoese, but IMO, Sweeney is more athletic and may be able to make the adjustments needed. He has already improved his speed. He is an effective base-stealer. He has improved his range at SS, but probably nowhere near enough to be considered a lock to stay there. He is a very hard worker, but I think it would be absolutely unfair for me to even insinuate that Hoese is not also a diligent worker. It is just that Sweeney has already made adjustments in his game. I may be a fan and see things that are not there, but he has the look of another James Outman type rebuild for me. The Eastern League is more of a pitchers league than is the Texas League. Outman was 24 when he first reached AA, and started back at AA as a 25 year old. I am anxious to see what Sweeney can do.
AA pitching is good. It is a tad step below AAA, but many hitters who hit AA can also hit AAA. It is the command that differentiates AAA and AA more than the “stuff”. It is the MLB pitching that is the great difference. I am sure the hitting gurus have already studied his swing and know the adjustments they want to make. The Dodgers will probably try to adjust his stroke in ST, and it will be the MiLB hitting coach to fine tune it. It may be as subtle as a lower leg lift. He does get good extension through the zone, even if it is a little long. Just like all hitters, he needs to be able to get on top of a fastball and adjust on the breaking stuff. It is not easy, but what I have been able to discern, Sweeney has the patience and discipline to do that. Maybe it is too much patience and discipline???
Unfortunately, the Dodgers may not have the luxury of taking Sweeney off SS. They do have Jonathan Arauz who can play SS. They could also sign another AAAA SS like Yonny Hernández, making it easier to begin the conversion.
I’m watching football and feeling pretty lazy so I’ll just ask you: what’s the chase rate on fastballs up?
I can remember when the strike zone ran from the shoulders to the bottom of the knee. Then it dropped to the arm pits. Decades later it’s now just above the navel. Hitting a fastball at the shoulders was something only guys like Mickey Mantle could do. But now that the strike zone is so low, seems to me just laying off those pitches that “look good” because you can see them better can be taught.
Back to football. And the wife’s homemade enchiladas.
I beleive that was in 2020 at the alternate site. Nobody has ever denied that Hoese has power. Apparently he showed that power during BP and squad games.
The 31 steals is a nice sign as well.
Would anyone be shocked if this guy turned out to be a pretty good player for us? We do quite well in these under the radar type deals!
He’s 24 for the coming season. It’s time he started clobbering minor league pitching.
Will there be a move to third base? Seems logical, if Lux is the shortstop.
Encouraging. We might have a 3rd baseman in the system. If he excels maybe he can be traded for a righty hitting version of himself.
I can definitely see the comparison with LeMahieu.
We needed roster space and the guys we gave up weren’t essential. Seems like a chance worth taking to me.
No question about that Jefe. Busch, Vargas, Sweeney. All mid 20s, all successful minor league players, could be a terrific starting infield at AAA, but as far as we know, none really targeted for a starting role in ‘24. Somebody has to go, right?
I’d love to see more trades. Blocked prospects for ones like Sweeney, Ryan, Frasso.
Keep reseting the 40 man.
Great stuff, Jeff. Much appreciated.
In 2019, the Dodgers drafted a big RH hitting 3B with their first round pick (25th overall), Kody Hoese. Many looked at his Tulane numbers and were convinced Hoese was the next great 3B for the Dodgers. As I said then, and again in this post, I am a Baseball Conference snob. Tulane is in the American Athletic Conference (AAC), which is not a very deep conference. It certainly does not rival any of the Power 5 conferences, so the pitchers he faced throughout the season(s) did not equate to the SEC, ACC, Big 10, Big 12, or Pac 12. It is not on par with the Big West.
I also looked at his swing and spoke with a long time veteran scout about his swing. We both came to the conclusion that he was slow through the zone and would have a very hard time catching up to fastballs, especially those up in the zone. All that has proven to be true.
Trey Sweeney is more athletic than Hoese, but the concerns with not facing enough upper level pitching in the NCAA and with a long swing of his own give me some concern. It may take him a bit longer to get comfortable with a swing adjustment and facing top pitching. I was always more of a Michael Busch fan, and maybe I was bitter that the Dodgers chose Hoese over Gunnar Henderson.
My hope is that he is a good student with his swing development, where he can generate enough power for his inevitable move to 3B. While I never got on board the Kody Hoese train, I do have a lot of hope that Sweeney can develop enough to at least become a nice reserve/bench/utility option. Maybe he develops enough to get a shot as a regular 3B when Muncy is no longer a LAD. Maybe it will become a good competition between Sweeney and Jake Gelof.
Regardless, it was a very good trade getting a SS (3B) this close to MLB in the organization. There is just not enough AAA infielders to believe that Sweeney starts at AA, but maybe they want Sweeney to start the season with Scott Hennessey, Tulsa’s manager (7th year), to get him properly acclimated and comfortable in the Dodger MiLB system.
Where is the best hitting coach for this guy?
AA pitching is pretty good, right? Get the new Dodger Stroke developed there and move him up. If there is to be a position change, better do it starting now.
Jeff, when you were giving Sweeney’s background and mentioned East Carolina, I was waiting for you to give the Kody Hoese and non-Power conference comparison.
I also wondered if Sweeney was touted for where he was, but now is overmatched in AA ball.
Granted, plenty of guys have also done well from non power conferences so hopefully he’s one of em.
Hoese hasn’t quite worked out. Yet.
I mentioned Kody Hoese in one of my comments. I think it is fair to be concerned that Sweeney can become another Hoese, but IMO, Sweeney is more athletic and may be able to make the adjustments needed. He has already improved his speed. He is an effective base-stealer. He has improved his range at SS, but probably nowhere near enough to be considered a lock to stay there. He is a very hard worker, but I think it would be absolutely unfair for me to even insinuate that Hoese is not also a diligent worker. It is just that Sweeney has already made adjustments in his game. I may be a fan and see things that are not there, but he has the look of another James Outman type rebuild for me. The Eastern League is more of a pitchers league than is the Texas League. Outman was 24 when he first reached AA, and started back at AA as a 25 year old. I am anxious to see what Sweeney can do.
AA pitching is good. It is a tad step below AAA, but many hitters who hit AA can also hit AAA. It is the command that differentiates AAA and AA more than the “stuff”. It is the MLB pitching that is the great difference. I am sure the hitting gurus have already studied his swing and know the adjustments they want to make. The Dodgers will probably try to adjust his stroke in ST, and it will be the MiLB hitting coach to fine tune it. It may be as subtle as a lower leg lift. He does get good extension through the zone, even if it is a little long. Just like all hitters, he needs to be able to get on top of a fastball and adjust on the breaking stuff. It is not easy, but what I have been able to discern, Sweeney has the patience and discipline to do that. Maybe it is too much patience and discipline???
Unfortunately, the Dodgers may not have the luxury of taking Sweeney off SS. They do have Jonathan Arauz who can play SS. They could also sign another AAAA SS like Yonny Hernández, making it easier to begin the conversion.
I’m watching football and feeling pretty lazy so I’ll just ask you: what’s the chase rate on fastballs up?
I can remember when the strike zone ran from the shoulders to the bottom of the knee. Then it dropped to the arm pits. Decades later it’s now just above the navel. Hitting a fastball at the shoulders was something only guys like Mickey Mantle could do. But now that the strike zone is so low, seems to me just laying off those pitches that “look good” because you can see them better can be taught.
Back to football. And the wife’s homemade enchiladas.
I like enchiladas.
I like Sushi.
Hoese came up on that recent Baseball America podcast that focused on the Dodgers.
Wasn’t it Lux that was praising Hoese’s hitting ability a few years ago?
A few decades ago Lux was soap.
I beleive that was in 2020 at the alternate site. Nobody has ever denied that Hoese has power. Apparently he showed that power during BP and squad games.
The Red Sox and right-hander Lucas Giolito are in agreement on a two-year, $38.5MM deal, according to ESPN’s Jeff Passan.
Giolito gone – got little more than I thought
Got a lot more than I thought!
I was about to say the same thing Bobby.
Guess the pitching whisperers in Boston figure they can fix him.
Apparently has an opt out after year one, so if they fix him he’ll leave, or re-negotiate.
Agent did a nice job.
Thanks Obama used to be said and now it is thanks Ohtani and thanks Yamamoto.
Wow. Price probably just went up for Imanaga and the remaining free agent pitchers.
NPB ace Roki Sasaki wants to be posted to MLB after 2024 season despite financial limitations, per reportBy R.J. Anderson