Detroit Tigers: Spencer Torkelson’s future is at first base
By Tyler Kotila
The Detroit Tigers had the first overall pick in the 2020 MLB First-Year Amateur Player Draft, where they selected prospect Spencer Torkelson. To shock many, the Tigers would opt to select Torkelson as a third baseman.
Immediately after taking Torkelson, the Detroit Tigers would make it clear that he was being selected to be a third baseman. He was getting reps in with the team during the 2020 “Summer Camp” when baseball got going again after the pandemic began clearing up and allowed for a return to play.
Torkelson has been working hard to settle in at third base, but some recent comments from Al Avila seem to think this will be changing. Avila has walked back on some of his previous statements.
On Spencer Torkelson’s long-term future at first base, @Tigers GM Al Avila told me this week: “For us, it’s good to know he can play third base. As we move forward, it’ll probably end up being full-time first base.” @MLBNetwork @MLBPipeline
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) November 14, 2021
It seems that the Tigers have since changed things around. They’re going to try and work Torkelson in at first base so that he can get back to his position. Obviously, working some versatility in is an excellent thing for Torkelson, but it gives some more clarity at a minimum.
Detroit Tigers prospect Spencer Torkelson’s future is at first base.
He spent the fall in Arizona before a sprained ankle would shut things down over in the Arizona Fall League (AFL). He had quite the performance out there where he slashed .450/.607/.550 over 28 plate appearances.
Over the summer, he spent time in West Michigan with the High-A affiliate before being bumped up to Double-A with Erie, and then he got another promotion to Triple-A to join the Toledo Mud Hens.
In High-A, he logged 31 games where he slashed .312/.440/.569 with 17 extra-base hits to his credit. When he was bumped up to Double-A, Torkelson would play in 50 games where he slashed .263/.373/.560 with 24 extra-base hits and 14 of those being home runs.
After that, he made his final stop of the year in Triple-A with the Mud Hens, where he logged 40 games. He slashed .238/.350/.531 with 20 extra-base hits. Overall, he looked good as he made his ascent through the minor leagues.
He was not perfect in Triple-A, but many seem to think that he will be able to make the jump to the big leagues by the time that Spring Training breaks. Whether that is as a first baseman or third baseman, Torkelson seems like he is going to make the jump early in 2021 and make his pro debut.
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When that pro debut does come around, it seems like he will be playing first base for the Tigers in the long term. It seems like the idea that veteran Miguel Cabrera can be a mentor for him is going to fall into place.