Trey Sweeney has quickly become a name to watch in Major League Baseball. He’s the Detroit Tigers’ promising young shortstop, known for his left-handed bat and steady play in the field. Sweeney’s journey from a single Division I scholarship offer to the big leagues is a story of perseverance, hard work, and seizing every opportunity that came his way.
After being drafted in the first round by the New York Yankees, Sweeney navigated trades, excelled in the minors, and finally made his MLB debut in August 2024. His rise has inspired fans, coaches, and aspiring athletes, especially those from his hometown of Louisville, Kentucky.
Trey Sweeney’s Biography
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Trey Thomas Sweeney |
| Date of Birth | April 24, 2000 |
| Age | 24 |
| Education | Eastern Illinois University |
| Nationality | American |
| Height | 6 ft 3 in (190 cm) |
| Weight | 212 lbs (96 kg) |
| Turned Pro | 2021 (MLB Draft) |
| Net Worth | $3 million |
| Salary | $764,000 |
| Career Earnings | $3,939,032 |
| Wife/Girlfriend | N/A |
| Instagram Profile | @trey.sweeney3 |
| Twitter Profile | @treysweeney3 |
Early Career
Trey Sweeney’s baseball journey began in Louisville, Kentucky, where he attended St. Xavier High School. He stood out as a senior, batting .389 with 41 RBIs and 18 stolen bases, helping his team win the state championship. Despite his impressive stats, Sweeney received only one Division I scholarship offer, which came from Eastern Illinois University. This lack of attention didn’t deter him; instead, it fueled his determination to prove himself at the collegiate level.
At Eastern Illinois, Sweeney made an immediate impact. As a freshman in 2019, he started 48 games and hit .266, earning a spot on the Ohio Valley Conference (OVC) All-Freshman team.
He continued to develop his skills by playing summer baseball with the Lafayette Aviators, where he was named a league All-Star thanks to a .354 average and a strong on-base percentage. The 2020 college season was cut short by the COVID-19 pandemic, but Sweeney was already showing signs of being a special hitter, batting .351 in limited action.
His breakout came during his redshirt sophomore year in 2021. Sweeney dominated OVC pitching, hitting .382 with 14 home runs and 58 RBIs in just 48 games. He walked 46 times and struck out only 24 times, showcasing his plate discipline and advanced approach.
His performance earned him the OVC Player of the Year award and made him a finalist for the Brooks Wallace Award, given to the nation’s top shortstop. Scouts took notice of his ability to control the strike zone, make hard contact, and hit for power, despite some questions about his long-term defensive position.
Sweeney’s college success led to his selection by the New York Yankees with the 20th overall pick in the 2021 MLB Draft. He signed for a $3 million bonus, just under the slot value for his draft position. This marked the beginning of his professional career and set the stage for his rise through the minor leagues.
Professional Career
Sweeney’s professional journey began in the Yankees organization, where he started with the Rookie-level Florida Complex League Yankees before quickly moving up to the Tampa Tarpons in Low-A. In his first 32 games as a pro, he hit .261 with seven home runs and 14 RBIs, showing the same blend of power and patience that made him a college star.
Sweeney continued to climb the minor league ladder, starting the season with the Hudson Valley Renegades in High-A. Over 100 games, he hit .241 with 14 home runs and 51 RBIs, earning a late-season promotion to Double-A Somerset Patriots. His ability to draw walks and hit for power remained consistent, and he finished the year with a combined .240 average, 16 home runs, and 56 RBIs in 111 games across two levels.
The 2023 season saw Sweeney spend the entire year at Double-A Somerset, where he hit .252 with 13 home runs and 49 RBIs in 100 games. He continued to improve his swing mechanics, working with coaches to quiet his approach and make more consistent contact. Despite a stint on the injured list, Sweeney’s progress was evident, and he remained a highly regarded prospect in the Yankees system.
Sweeney was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers in exchange for reliever Victor González and infielder Jorbit Vivas. The Dodgers assigned him to Triple-A Oklahoma City, where he played 96 games and hit .255 with 13 home runs and 62 RBIs. Sweeney’s performance in Triple-A demonstrated his readiness for the next level, as he continued to show power, patience, and versatility in the infield.
Trey Sweeney’s Net Worth Details
Trey Sweeney’s net worth is estimated to be $3 million as of 2025.
Contract
Trey Sweeney is currently playing under a standard pre-arbitration contract with the Detroit Tigers for the 2025 MLB season. His deal is a one-year agreement worth $764,000, which is the typical salary for players in their early years in the major leagues before they become eligible for arbitration.
This contract is fully guaranteed, meaning Sweeney will receive the full amount regardless of performance or roster changes. As he gains more experience and continues to perform, Sweeney will become eligible for salary arbitration in the coming years, which could significantly increase his future earnings based on his contributions and league standards.
Salary
Trey Sweeney is earning a base salary of $764,000 with the Detroit Tigers. This salary is fully guaranteed under his one-year, pre-arbitration contract, which is standard for players in their early major league years.
Sweeney’s salary places him among other young, pre-arbitration players on the Tigers’ roster and reflects his current service time in the league. He does not receive a signing bonus or additional incentives as part of this contract, so his total cash earnings for 2025 are $764,000.
Career Earnings
| Year | Age | Team(s) | Cash Total | Cash Cumulative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 21 | – | $3,000,000 | $3,000,000 |
| 2024 | 24 | Detroit Tigers | $175,032 | $3,175,032 |
| 2025 | 25 | Detroit Tigers | $764,000 | $3,939,032 |
MLB Career Stats
| Year | Team | AB | AVG | HR | RBI | SB | OPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Detroit Tigers | 110 | .218 | 4 | 17 | 2 | .642 |
| 2025 | Detroit Tigers | 69 | .203 | 1 | 8 | 1 | .580 |
| MLB Career | 179 | .212 | 5 | 25 | 3 | .618 |
FAQs
1. Who is Trey Sweeney and what position does he play?
Trey Sweeney is an American professional baseball player who plays shortstop for the Detroit Tigers in Major League Baseball. He bats left-handed and throws right-handed. Sweeney made his MLB debut with the Tigers in August 2024 after being traded from the Los Angeles Dodgers earlier that year.
2. When and where was Trey Sweeney born?
Trey Sweeney was born on April 24, 2000, in Louisville, Kentucky. He attended St. Xavier High School in Louisville, where he played baseball and helped his team win a state championship as a senior.
3. What college did Trey Sweeney attend and how did he perform there?
Trey Sweeney attended Eastern Illinois University, where he played college baseball for the Eastern Illinois Panthers. He became a starter as a freshman and was named Ohio Valley Conference Player of the Year as a redshirt sophomore, hitting .382 with 14 home runs and 58 RBIs in 2021.
4. How was Trey Sweeney drafted and by which MLB team?
Trey Sweeney was selected by the New York Yankees in the first round of the 2021 MLB Draft with the 20th overall pick. He signed with the Yankees shortly after the draft and began his professional career in their minor league system.
5. What teams has Trey Sweeney played for in his professional career?
Trey Sweeney started his professional career with the New York Yankees organization. He was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers in December 2023, then traded to the Detroit Tigers in July 2024. He made his MLB debut with the Tigers in August 2024.
6. What are some of Trey Sweeney’s notable achievements or awards?
During his minor league career, Trey Sweeney was named PCL Player of the Week in June 2024 while playing for the Oklahoma City Baseball Club. He also won MLB Play of the Week honors in September 2024 as a member of the Detroit Tigers.
7. How did Trey Sweeney perform in his MLB debut?
Trey Sweeney made his MLB debut for the Detroit Tigers on August 16, 2024, against the New York Yankees. In his debut, he recorded his first major league hit with an infield single, marking a memorable start to his big league career.
8. What are Trey Sweeney’s MLB career statistics so far?
Trey Sweeney has played in 24 games for the Detroit Tigers, with a batting average of .211, 5 home runs, 25 RBIs, and 3 stolen bases. His on-base plus slugging percentage (OPS) stands at .614.
9. What was Trey Sweeney’s journey through the minor leagues like?
Trey Sweeney moved quickly through the minor leagues, playing for teams such as the Hudson Valley Renegades, Somerset Patriots, Tulsa Drillers, Oklahoma City Baseball Club, and Toledo Mud Hens. He consistently showed power and plate discipline, highlighted by a three-homer game for Oklahoma City in 2024.
10. How did Trey Sweeney impact the Detroit Tigers after joining the team?
After joining the Tigers in mid-August 2024, Trey Sweeney filled in at shortstop for the injured Javier Báez and contributed both offensively and defensively. He posted a 0.7 bWAR in just a month and a half, helping the Tigers during a critical stretch and into the postseason.
