Huge Setback: The departure of 4 Milwaukee Brewers players might cause the downfall of the….
Sal Frelick was a gifted outfielder who grew up playing on Lexington’s neighborhood fields. He had always dreamed of playing in the major leagues and wondered what life would be like if and when that day ever arrived.
But he never thought things would turn out the way they did, not even in his wildest dreams.
Reminiscent of a fairy tale, Frelick’s MLB debut was unforgettable. When Frelick was called up before of the Milwaukee Brewers’ series opening against the Atlanta Braves on July 22, he led his side to a 4-3 victory over the NL East heavyweight. The 23-year-old, who was batting sixth and starting in right field, went 3 for 3 with two spectacular catches at the warning track and two runs driven in. He tied the score in the sixth inning and then scored the game-winning run in the eighth on a sacrifice fly.
Four months on, Frelick still finds it hard to accept.
This week, Frelick told the Herald, “I had imagined really hoping to get my first hit out of the way and having a good game overall in my debut.” It performed incredibly well, covering ground on both sides of the ball.
Among the highlights of what was unquestionably the most emotional season of Frelick’s baseball career was that magnificent debut. It was a roller coaster year filled with both excruciating lows and incredible highs. Frelick will always remember his rookie season, which included playing against Shohei Ohtani in the Tokyo Dome, getting hurt in the thumb early in the season, and ultimately leading the Brewers to a division title and postseason play.
He remarked, “It was just a blast.”
A quick ascent
A three-sport star at Lexington High in football, hockey, and baseball, Frelick is among the best athletes to come out of Greater Boston in the last ten years. In addition to receiving three Middlesex League MVP honors and twelve varsity letters, he was voted the Mass. Gatorade Football Player of the Year in his final year.
Despite having the option to play Division 1 baseball and football at neighboring Boston College, Frelick decided to stick with baseball. Even though Frelick suffered some injuries as a freshman and the COVID-19 pandemic ended his sophomore season after 15 games, he had a great collegiate career, being selected to the All-ACC twice and winning ACC Defensive Player of the Year in 2021 as a junior.
Sal Frelick of Boston College scores during a game on May 21, 2021, against Virginia. His MLB career was off to a fantastic start with the Brewers. (Boston Herald/MediaNews Group/Matt Stone/Staff Photo)
Sal Frelick of Boston College scores during a game on May 21, 2021, against Virginia. His MLB career was off to a fantastic start with the Brewers. (Boston Herald/MediaNews Group/Matt Stone/Staff Photo)
He also became a top draft prospect that season, and the Brewers selected him with the No. 15 overall choice in the 2021 MLB Draft after he declared. At 5-foot-9 and 175 pounds, the left-handed hitter was tiny, but he had a mouthwatering mix of great bat-to-ball ability and elite speed.
Brewers area scout Ty Blankmeyer thought he had discovered a unique player whose skill level belied his little frame.
“He behaves as though he’s the biggest guy on the field,” Blankmeyer said following the draft to MLB.com. “He is aware of his tactics. He is really intelligent. Because of his exceptional aptitude, he is aware of what it takes to succeed. The quickness, agility, and explosiveness compensate for — this guy’s game is big, so it doesn’t matter how big you are. Even though he may be “small,” his game is huge. Every time you watch him play, he does something that makes you gasp in shock and want to get up from your seat. He is a captivating athlete.
When Frelick arrived, he quickly proved the Brewers right to have faith in him. In just a few weeks, he went from rookie ball to High-A. In 2022, he advanced two levels once more, finishing the season in Triple-A. After that, Baseball America ranked him as the sport’s No. 33 prospect going into 2023, and it was thought to be only a matter of time until he made his Major League debut.
global arena
Prior to starting what would turn out to be the most significant season of his life, Frelick received an exceptional offer to participate in the 2023 World Baseball Classic as a member of Team Italy. Due to his family’s national links, Frelick was qualified, and the Brewers eventually granted him permission to play, believing the competition would benefit him as a player.
“I remember thinking about doing it, but I don’t think there’s a better way for me to prepare myself than playing highly competitive baseball in the playoffs,” Frelick said. He added that he aspires to participate in WBC tournaments whenever possible going forward. “I think the World Baseball Classic offers the ultimate competition, but sometimes with spring training you’re just going through the motions, trying to get yourself ready for the season, get a few at bats here.”
Even though they weren’t picked as favorites going into the tournament, Italy surprised everyone by winning Pool A and defeating the Netherlands and Cuba to progress to the knockout stages. After settling in as Team Italy’s leadoff hitter and hitting.304 with three doubles and four RBI, Frelick traveled to Tokyo to play Japan in the quarterfinals, who ultimately emerged victorious.
Italy lost that match 9–3. The game received a 48.7 rating in Japan, meaning that over half of all homes there watched it. Taking into account the number of spectators in the US and other countries, the game was probably viewed by around 60 million people, ranking it among the most watched baseball games in history.
After hitting a single in the second inning of a July 22 game in Milwaukee against the Atlanta Braves, youngster Sal Frelick of the Milwaukee Brewers reacts. Frelick’s first hit in the Major Leagues was this one. (Photo by Morry Gash/AP)
After hitting a single in the second inning of a July 22 game in Milwaukee against the Atlanta Braves, youngster Sal Frelick of the Milwaukee Brewers reacts. This was Frelick’s first big-league hit. (Photo by Morry Gash/AP)
“It was like five or six hours before the game, and the place was completely sold out,” Frelick recalled. “I remember we showed up for batting practice; the game was at seven, and we showed up at like two.” They were all seated and prepared; to them, it resembled the Olympics. As a baseball player, I thought, “Wow, this is a really big deal for the whole country,” and it was simply amazing for me to be able to play in that kind of environment.
A significant setback
No matter how much momentum Frelick had heading into the season, it all came to an abrupt end a week into the season when the outfielder tore a ligament in his thumb while sliding into second base.
To make matters worse, Frelick sustained his injuries on the same day that major league outfielder Garrett Mitchell hurt his shoulder. The following night, Frelick might have been called up to the majors if he had been fit.
Rather, Frelick was confined to the shelf for a fortnight.
He recalled being “really upset because I was hoping to receive that call as soon as possible.” “I had to put things on hold and spent two months recovering back in Arizona, but I remember returning excited to play baseball again.”
Despite how disappointing the injury was, Frelick took full use of the opportunity to train and prepare as much as possible.
162 games is a lot of baseball, and playing takes a toll on a player. However, during my recovery, I underwent surgery for a major injury that was only to my thumb. I finished that season incredibly strong since I was able to lift and strengthen the rest of my body, according to Frelick. “Midway through the year, I came in really fresh, where other people’s bodies were aching. I therefore had the upper hand there, and this was a great chance for me to strengthen the rest of my body so that when I do recover, I can resume immediately.”
Breathe it all in: On June 14, Frelick resumed playing for Triple-A Nashville. A little more than a month later, he made his major league debut in Milwaukee. With a batting average 1.2 wins above replacement, the rookie ignited things right away.In just 57 games, 246 with 29 runs, 24 RBI, and seven stolen bases.
After he was called up, the Brewers went 38–26 in the final games to win the NL Central and advance to the postseason.
“We won the division, and it felt amazing to do it at home as well. We had a huge celebration, sprayed champagne, got onto the field, and the spectators stayed, according to Frelick. “I don’t know if you realize how fortunate you are; it’s really difficult to make the playoffs, and you just accomplished it in your first year,” all of the seasoned players said. Take it all in; you simply cannot tell.
“It was a first for them; there were guys on my team who were six, seven, or eight-year veterans who had never made the playoffs,” he said. “To be able to participate in that after being up for half the year? It was astounding. Then, it will help me prepare for the upcoming seasons to even have a taste of postseason baseball in my first season.
Frelick gave appreciation to Milwaukee’s seasoned players, especially Christian Yelich, the 2018 NL MVP, whom he watched avidly as a youth, for teaching him the ropes. He also lauded Craig Counsell, the previous manager of the Brewers, saying he was as startled as anyone to see him sign with the Chicago Cubs but that he is glad for him and has no grudges.
“Although we all knew he was there, we had no idea what he would do. Although he’s a fantastic manager and I’m usually on his side, I guess I was surprised to see where he ended up,” Frelick remarked. “I’m happy that he received a really excellent contract, which I believe he deserves, but when you return the next year, there will be new employees and a new boss. It will be intriguing to observe how things work out.
Put a circle around the date.
With an eye on the future, Frelick has already scheduled the weekend of May 24–26. The Brewers are expected to play at Fenway Park at that time, and Frelick and his family are looking forward to a very wonderful reunion.
Yes, that’s right. My family is quite excited, and I’ve already put the timetable on the calendar,” Frelick remarked. “I have so many friends and significant people who have influenced my career who are from Boston; having them be able to come out and watch me play is going to be really special. Boston is home to me, and it always will be home to me.”
As Frelick gets settled into what could ideally be a lengthy big league career, his return will be a full circle moment as well as one of the last significant firsts to be cleared away.
After years of putting in the effort to make it to the show, Frelick now has new aspirations and objectives to meet, the first of which is to improve on last fall’s swift playoff elimination.
“I had an amazing first year where I was able to play in the playoffs, get comfortable, and get my feet wet, but I think you just get a taste of it and you just crave it the next year,” Frelick remarked. The ultimate goal is always to get to the World Series, but watching these teams go on runs and magical runs in the postseason makes you want to be a member of that team for however long you play. That being said, I’d really love to go on a great playoff run and bring the city of Milwaukee a World Series.
