Tigers fulfill minor league player's dream after division rival failed to

Watching a player's years of hard work and dedication pay off when he makes it to the big leagues is one of the best things about baseball. It's even better when that player ends up on your team after being drafted by a division rival.

Such was the case with outfielder Brewer Hicklen, who recorded his first (and second) Major League hit in his debut appearance with the Detroit Tigers on Thursday nearly three years after his big league debut.

Hicklen tallied a pair of hits, scored twice, drew a walk, and stole a base in a memorable game against the Colorado Rockies on Thursday. The 29-year-old had been recalled from Triple-A Toledo between games of Thursday's double-header and has since been optioned back, but not before he achieved the long-awaited career milestone.

Tigers fulfill Brewer Hicklen's dream after Royals failed to

Hicklen, originally selected by the Kansas City Royals in the seventh round (No. 210 overall) of the 2017 MLB Draft, made his big league debut with the Royals in 2022. He was hitless in four at-bats over six Major League games before being returned to Triple-A Omaha, where he would remain until the Royals traded him to the Philadelphia Phillies for cash in August 2023.

Hicklen elected free agency after the 2023 season and signed a minor league contract with the Milwaukee Brewers for 2024. He saw limited Major League action last season with similar results, going 0-for-5 with Milwaukee before being sent back to Triple-A Nashville, but the third time was the charm for Hicklen in Detroit.

The Tigers acquired Hicklen in a trade at the beginning of the season after the Brewers designated him for assignment. He had a two-day stint with Detroit in early April but did not appear in a game before being sent back to Toledo.

Hicklen was optioned back to Triple-A following Thursday's doubleheader to make room on the Tigers' active roster for right-handed reliever John Brebbia, who was reinstated from the injured list. Brebbia had a 1.00 ERA with nine strikeouts and five walks in nine innings of work before suffering a right triceps strain three weeks ago.

Hicklen, for his part, returns to Toledo with a .667 batting average in the big leagues this season – extremely well deserved after years of hard work and perseverance.

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