Sal Frelick, who has ties to Greensburg, makes memorable debut for Brewers

After a scintillating major-league debut, Sal Frelick left American Family Field with his ears ringing from the loudest applause he has ever heard.

And it was all for him.

Frelick, a fast-rising prospect who has ties to Greensburg, banged out three hits in as many at-bats, drove in a pair of runs and made two highlight catches in right field in his first action with the Milwaukee Brewers on Saturday night.

Frelick, who was called up Friday and batted sixth, had one of the most memorable debuts in franchise history as the Brewers edged the Atlanta Braves, 4-3, before 39,707.

“As soon as you get that first pitch, that first catch, you kind of settle in,” Frelick told Fox Sports’ Ken Rosenthal after the game. “Walking out for the first time and getting such a warm welcome, and then going out to give them something to cheer for, is going to be super special.”

Frelick, 23, who moved up from the Triple-A Nashville Sounds, went 3 for 3 with a trio of singles, scored in the fifth inning, and drove in the tying and go-ahead runs.

In between, he snagged a pair of flyouts at the warning track, twice colliding with the padded blue wall.

Jeff Frelick, Sal’s father, is a Greensburg Central Catholic grad. Sal Frelick, his grandfather, went to Greensburg Salem.

Sal Frelick is making this Major League thing look easy. ????

Two incredible catches in the same inning in his debut! pic.twitter.com/HoPTlgES8o

— MLB (@MLB) July 23, 2023

“He showed us everything tonight,” Brewers manager Craig Counsell told MLB.com about Frelick. “He did the things that he’s good at and the reason that he’s here and the reason why he was a first-round pick. He put it all on display tonight.”

What a debut for Sal Frelick! ???? @Ken_Rosenthal talks with Sal after his big night in the Brewers 4-3 win pic.twitter.com/wSTgHm207o

— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) July 23, 2023

Frelick, the Brewers’ No. 2 prospect and No. 15 pick in the 2021 draft who played at Boston College, hit .252 with a pair of home runs and a .697 OPS in 43 games with Nashville.

He hit .314 in 197 games in the minors.

“I’m just really excited to show everyone the guy who they drafted two years ago — kind of a little sparkplug, pesky at the plate, dirty uniform, stuff like that,” Frelick said.

Entering Sunday’s games, Milwaukee has a one-and-a-half game lead over the Cincinnati Reds for first place in the National League Central Division, a spot the Pittsburgh Pirates loosely clutched onto early in the season before plummeting into last place, 11.5 games behind the Brewers.

"It was awesome running out and hearing my name getting cheered. That's I think going to stick with me more so than any hit or RBI."@SophiaMinnaert on Sal Frelick's patience and the #Brewers outfielder rising to the occasion in front of family & friends. #ThisIsMyCrew pic.twitter.com/LAWQfYXM49

— Bally Sports Wisconsin (@BallySportWI) July 23, 2023