Detroit Tigers: 2020 MLB Full Six Selection Mock Draft
By Tyler Kotila
Round 1, Pick 1: Spencer Torkelson, Arizona State University, 1B/OF
The Detroit Tigers’ first pick is the first overall selection of the draft, the pick that has been debated for the past few months. The debate will be over when the Detroit Tigers select Spencer Torkelson, it may not be the best pick, but his talent level is hard to leave on the table.
Torkelson is ranked as the top overall prospect on almost all of the 2020 MLB Draft Prospect lists and will be a top talent for the Tigers organization. The only setback with the selection of Torkelson is that Miguel Cabrera is under contract through the 2023 season.
Looking at Torkelson, he brings a power-bat to the organization that could wind up being comparable to New York Mets slugger Pete Alonso when Torkelson emerges in the big leagues. Torkelson has incredible power and should be able to translate that well to the big leagues.
He stands 6-foot-1, weighing in at 205-pounds and was poised to set a home run record until the season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In the shortened season, Torkelson played in 17 games, where he hit .340/.598/.780 with six home runs and 11 RBI.
In 2019, Torkelson hit .351/.446/.707 with 23 home runs and 66 RBI over 57 games played for the Sun Devils. With the first overall selection, bringing in Torkelson adds one heck of a swing to the Tigers organization and plenty of excitement as he rises through the ranks of the minors.
Adding Torkelson is a great move, but adding Austin Martin as a versatile infielder might be the better play for the long term outlook of this organization. Ultimately, almost every list has Torkelson being the first overall pick, so it seems Torkelson is going to be the Tigers selection.
Honorable Mentions: UTL Austin Martin, SS Nick Gonzales, LHP Asa Lacy