Sweeney swiftly learning the way of the big leagues

This story was excerpted from Jason Beck’s Tigers Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

DETROIT -- The Oakland Coliseum is one of the rare Major League parks still around where the bullpens are on the field and a part of foul territory down the outfield lines, with the bullpen dugouts beside them. A fielder can run over the bullpen mounds chasing a foul ball and potentially end up running into his relievers -- or his opponents. Spencer Torkelson found that out last weekend, and Trey Sweeney had to be aware of it as he chased foul balls down the third-base line.

But as Sweeney watched his solo homer sail out to right field and bounce up the Coliseum’s gigantic steps, he was looking for the bullpen for a different reason: He needed to find Tigers relievers and point to them on his way around the bases, or risk getting fined by the kangaroo court.

“I kind of had to remember to point to them,” Sweeney said.

Sweeney had to turn awkwardly to his right as he rounded first base, but he made the point. No other Tiger had to deal with it, because Sweeney had the only home run of the series.

Sweeney handled it calmly, just like he handled his at-bat that set up the home run. Nothing much makes this guy sweat, as manager A.J. Hinch has realized.

“Another player who's breaking in and showing a great calmness in the competition,” Hinch said.

Twice in three games, Sweeney dug himself out of an 0-2 count to get a pitch to crush for a home run. Sunday’s solo shot came off a 2-2 slider on the lower-inner quadrant of the plate, just in his area to pull, after A’s starter J.T. Ginn had tried to put him away with fastballs out of the zone. Even brushing Sweeney back with a 1-2 sinker in didn’t get Sweeney off his approach.

“I faced him a good amount [of times] this year,” said Sweeney, noting his time in Triple-A in the Dodgers' system before being traded to the Tigers in the Jack Flaherty deal. “He beat me with [fastballs] a couple times early and just trying to stay on it and recognize his other stuff.”

Three days later at Comerica Park, Sweeney fell into an 0-2 hole, swinging and missing at a fastball and changeup from Rockies starter Tanner Gordon before grinding. Sweeney didn’t offer at the 0-2 fastball just up and off the plate, nor the slider in the dirt that followed. He fouled off a couple fastballs in the middle of the zone to keep the at-bat going, then took another slider just low to run the count full.

Gordon went back to the slider, but hung it over the middle of the plate. Sweeney crushed the ball 407 feet to right field for a three-run homer to punctuate the Tigers’ six-run opening inning in Wednesday’s 7-4 win.

Three of Sweeney’s four home runs since his callup on Aug. 16 have come after 0-2 counts, more than anyone else on the team. He’s 6-for-16 with four extra-base hits after 0-2. His four homers and 12 RBIs in just 22 games is an impressive small sample size. His approach that has led him to that production has been even better.

“He came up here and -- like most guys -- wants to swing first, and that led to a few extra swings than he normally would do,” Hinch said. “He can be a little bit more patient, and he's been a little bit more patient. I think the ball comes off his bat pretty firm, and he's got some pull-side power. He's also got a pretty good oppo approach. I like his balance. I like the fact that he hunts pitches.

“I didn't know him that well before he got here, obviously. But in talking to him, his plan is pretty dialed in to what he's trying to do. And he can redirect the ball with some strength. I think his temperament is set up for a calm at-bat [and] an under-control plan, and he's been pretty good at executing specifically in some big moments.”

“It's definitely tougher. It's definitely an adjustment," Sweeney said. "But I'm not trying to change anything or switch stuff up. I'm just trying to stay true to who I am and keep grinding and hopefully just naturally make those adjustments and learn the game.”

How that process unfolds down the stretch could have a big impact on the Tigers’ offseason. With Javier Báez coming off right hip surgery and his status uncertain for next Spring Training, the Tigers need options at shortstop. The current situation has given Sweeney regular at-bats, and he has thrived off of it, while still being mindful that his defense is critical.

“He's still learning,” Hinch said. “He's got a long ways to go and a lot to do to be better. But the foundation that's poured right now is pretty good.”