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2021 MLB Draft Profile: Trey Sweeney

Are the Marlins buying into Sweeney’s breakout season enough to make him a first-round pick?

By Hector Rodriguez
Third baseman Trey Sweeney (2) connects during the fourth inning of a prospect league baseball game, Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2019 at Loeb Stadium in Lafayette Nikos Frazier | Journal & Courier via Imagn Content Services, LLC

Overview

Position: SS/3B

Height: 6’4″

Weight: 200 pounds

School: Eastern Illinois

Trey Sweeney is an infielder from Louisville, Kentucky but traveled north to play for the Eastern Illinois Panthers. Sweeney is one of the highest risers in the 2021 MLB Draft and could be on the Marlins radar with the 16th overall pick.

During his high school recruitment, Sweeney only had one Division 1 offer which came from Eastern Illinois. Sweeney has made the EIU coaching staff look brilliant as he’s become one of the top collegiate bats in the 2021 MLB draft class.

During his collegiate career, Sweeney is a career .328 hitter but has been unreal this season and has added a ton of power to his game. During his junior season, Sweeney went off for the EIU Panthers—he slashed .382/.522/.712 with 65 hits, ten doubles, fourteen home runs, 58 RBIs, 46 walks and a 1.234 OPS in 48 games.

On MLB Pipeline, Trey Sweeney is the 53rd-ranked draft prospect but has recently gotten some first round buzz due to his monster 2021 season. Sweeney was also projected 25th overall to the Oakland A’s in MLB Pipeline’s latest mock draft.

Strengths

  • Plus hit tool
  • Advanced approach at the plate
  • Outstanding hand-eye coordination
  • Power numbers skyrocketed in 2021
  • .378 BABIP in 2021
  • Impressive 20.4 BB%
  • Defensive versatility
  • Has room to fill in large frame

Weaknesses

  • Below average speed
  • Hasn’t played a lot of elite competition
  • Has hitch in his swing

Pro Comparison: Ryan McMahon

Projection: First round draft pick

Bottom Line

The Miami Marlins have gone the college route with their first couple of picks in the previous two drafts. I expect the Marlins to continue that trend and use their first selection on a collegiate bat.

The 2021 MLB Draft is a very pitcher-heavy draft class especially in the collegiate level. There aren’t a ton of top hitting prospects in the draft class but Sweeney has made himself a ton of money with an outstanding 2021 season.

If the Marlins do decide on drafting Sweeney, he’ll be one of the top contact hitters in their farm system but could also sign for under slot value. If Sweeney is signed for under slot value, the Fish could use that extra money on a top high school prospect that other organizations can’t afford. It’s tough to find elite prospect with the 16th overall pick but Sweeney has potential of being a solid MLB hitter.

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