For the first time as a professional, Boston native Sal Frelick will face the Red Sox at Fenway Park

MIAMI – They don't come much more Boston than Sal Frelick.

So, as far as storylines go this weekend as the Milwaukee Brewers head up the East Coast to play the Red Sox in an interleague series at Fenway Park, the outfielder's return home is definitely going to be one to watch.

"Going into this year just was more aware that we were going there," Frelick said earlier this week. "But that seemed far away until, like, this week. It wasn't crazy looking ahead until probably this week, I would say.

"So, just kind of a little more excited."

Sal Frelick was a multi-sport star growing up in Boston

Frelick was born in Boston and starred in baseball, football and hockey at nearby Lexington High School, then matriculated to Boston College, where in three years he played himself into becoming the Brewers' 2021 first-round pick (15th overall).

In 2022, the last time the Brewers played at Fenway Park, Frelick was in the midst of his first full professional season, one in which he progressed from advanced Class A Wisconsin to Class AA Biloxi to Class AAA Nashville in the span of just 119 games.

Frelick caught his fair share of Red Sox games as a youth, then he played at Fenway Park a few times himself while at Boston College.

But that, of course, was nothing like what he'll experience this weekend.

"Obviously, it'll be a little different," said Frelick, who missed facing the Red Sox at American Family Field last April as well; he was recovering from thumb surgery while playing for Nashville.

Frelick also got to live out something of a dream by working out with childhood hero Dustin Pedroia in the offseason when the Brewers were projecting him to play some second and third base as well as the outfield.

"Went to playoff games there, the parade when they won (the World Series in 2018)," Frelick continued. "My birthday is also in April, so growing up my dad would give me an early birthday gift to go to opening day. He'd take me out of school for it. So, I remember a lot of those (moments)."

Sal Frelick will get to see plenty of family members and friends during weekend

Now, Frelick is going to be the one doling out the tickets to a group of roughly 30 family members and friends each day. And then there will be even more paying out of their own pockets to come root Frelick on.

"I'm happy for him," said manager Pat Murphy. "I love the kid."

Frelick resides in Boston in the offseason as well, which means he has the option of sleeping in his own bed once the Brewers arrive very early Thursday morning.

"I'll probably stay at the hotel, just being close (to the ballpark)," he said. "I'll be able to get dinner with some people Thursday night and then we play a day game on Saturday, so Saturday night, too.

"I don't know if I'll go home, but obviously I'll get to see everybody."

Frelick will arrive having cooled his heels a bit on the diamond, with the Miami Marlins starting left-handed pitchers in all three games of the teams' series coming in.

Overall, he's hitting .250 with two home runs, 10 runs batted in with an OPS of .679 in 44 games. He had a terrific run of games in Milwaukee's last homestand, hitting both his homers in consecutive games while also making a couple dynamic catches in the outfield.

"I'd say just overall, feels average," is how Frelick describes his season to date. "Obviously, I've had some ups and downs. If you asked me where I'd be before season right now, I'd like to say maybe a little bit better at the plate. But I feel good up there.

"Still a long way to go this season. So, one game at a time but feeling good and it should be an exciting weekend."

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Boston native Sal Frelick eyeing chance to play Red Sox at Fenway Park