Jake Sweeney

JAKE SWEENEY, LEFT HANDED PITCHER
Born: June 14, 2000
Height: 6’7″
Weight: 240
Bats: Left
Throws: Left
Drafted: 36th Round, 1084th Overall, 2019
How Acquired: Draft
College: Pensacola (FL) State College (JC)
Agent:

WTM’s PLAYER PROFILE
Sweeney is a big southpaw, who originally committed to Arkansas, but instead went the JUCO route. Still just 18 years old on draft day in 2019, he made ten starts at Pensacola State and posted an 8.13 ERA in 31 innings, with 46 walks and 42 strikeouts. He was throwing low-90s out of high school, although he was only in the upper-80s in the GCL.  He also throws a change and curve.  At his age with a 6’7″ frame, there could be more in the tank, but his mechanics need work.

2019
R:  0-2-0, 3.45 ERA, 1.47 WHIP, 15.2 IP, 8.6 BB/9, 6.9 K/9

Sweeney pitched in relief in the GCL.  Opponents batted only .148 against him, but he had control problems and didn’t get many strikeouts.

2020
DNP

2021
R:  2-2-0, 4.26 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, 25.1 IP, 7.5 BB/9, 12.8 K/9

Sweeney returned to the FCL, making four starts and five relief appearances.  His performance was similar to 2019, although he missed a lot more bats and was even harder to hit; opponents batted just .133 against him.  He allowed an opponents’ OPS of just .499, so he probably pitched a lot better than his ERA suggests, but 11 of the 12 earned runs he allowed came in two rough outings.  Control remained an issue.

2022
A:  1-0-0, 3.38 ERA, 1.39 WHIP, 37.1 IP, 5.5 BB/9, 9.9 K/9

Sweeney spent the season with Bradenton, pitching in relief except for one start.  He scuffled along through mid-May, allowing a dozen earned runs in his first 16.2 IP.  Over the next month, though, he had an ERA of 1.08 in another 16.2 IP.  Unfortunately, at that point he got hurt and missed a month and a half.  He got into four games after returning and allowed no runs over four innings.  Sweeney’s primary issue, when he had problems, was control.  He had no platoon split.

Sweeney took a step forward in 2022, but he was placed on the full-season injured list for 2023 with an unknown issue.
CONTRACT INFORMATION
2023: Minor league contract
PLAYER INFORMATION
Signing Bonus:
MiLB Debut: 2019
MLB Debut:
MiLB FA Eligible: 2025
MLB FA Eligible:
Rule 5 Eligible: 2022
Added to 40-Man:
Options Remaining: 3
MLB Service Time: 0.000
TRANSACTIONS
June 5, 2019: Drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 36th round, 1084th overall pick; signed on June 13.