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Former First-Round Pick Making Name As Outfielder For Brewers

Former first-round pick Sal Frelick is steadily making a name as a reliable, hard-working outfielder for the Milwaukee Brewers.

Frelick, 24, was selected by Milwaukee (No. 15 overall) in the 2021 Major League Baseball Draft and made his major league debut on July 22, 2023.

Former First-Round Pick Building Reputation

Frelick Developing Into Reliable Outfielder

The Brewers have a surplus of talented outfielders on the roster this season. However, the aggressive, fleet-footed 5-foot-8, 185-pound Frelick has demonstrated the versatility and range necessary to play all three positions.

The second-year veteran continues to improve and make a name for himself. He currently maintains a .269 batting average with 66 hits including 10 doubles, two home runs, one triple and 15 RBI in 73 games. Frelick went 3-for-5 in the team’s 6-5 extra-inning home-field victory over the defending world champion Texas Rangers at American Family Field on Wednesday afternoon. He has helped power the National League Central Division-leading Brewers to a 48-33 overall record (.593 winning percentage).

 

The former first-round pick is part of a strong corps of outfielders also including the likes of 2018 NL Most Valuable Player Christian Yelich, up-and-coming star Blake Perkins and rookie sensation Jackson Chourio. Garrett Mitchell remains on rehab assignment with the Nashville Sounds, the organization’s Triple-A affiliate.

From an offensive standpoint, Frelick has 22 multiple-hit games to his credit. In his last three games, including two in the team’s statement-making sweep of the Rangers, the aggressive, left-handed hitter went a combined 7-for-13. He has experienced the greatest amount of success versus the fastball this year, generating 39 base hits, eight doubles, one triple and one home run, according to Baseball Savant.

 

Frelick Playing With Confidence

Defensively, he has started 64 games in the outfield, contributing 134 putouts and two assists with only two errors in 546 full innings (.986 fielding percentage). The former Boston College standout has made several standouts plays this season, including a game-ending catch at the fence on a potential tying home-run ball to preserve a 6-3 road victory over the Los Angeles Angels on June 18.

First-year Brewers manager Pat Murphy emphasized that Frelick’s strong progression from high draft pick to strong contributor has been exciting.

“He has the it factor,” said Murphy, in an interview with Adam McCalvy of MLB.com. “We’ve thrown a lot at him since he’s been here (referring to an intriguing spring training/early-season move to third base). Remember how young he is and how difficult it is to play in the big leagues. He isn’t just physically gifted but also able to handle it from a mental standpoint. We trust him. We wore him out a bit in spring training but now he’s settling in. I’m happy for him.”

 

With the experience of winning an exciting NL Central Division crown added to his list of accomplishments last season, Frelick’s transformation into a dominant, complete player appears to be on the horizon. The former first-round pick clearly has the tools necessary to live up to the hype.

Main Photo Credits: Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK

 

 

 

Jeff Hagenau

Jeff Hagenau

Jeff has been a sports writer in southeast Wisconsin for the past 27 years, covering at the high school, collegiate and professional levels. He graduated from Carroll University with a degree in journalism and covers the Milwaukee Brewers for Last Word On Sports.

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