The Tigers plan to recall first baseman Spencer Torkelson from Triple-A Toledo today, according to Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press. According to Petzold, Torkelson will replace Bligh Madris, who was optioned to Triple-A following the Tigers’ 3-0 loss to the Yankees yesterday.
Torkelson has not played in a Major League game in more than two and a half months, as the Tigers thought the first baseman needed a break following a rough start to the season. Torkelson hit.201/.266/.330 with four home runs in his first 230 plate appearances in 2024, for a wRC+ of only 68. With his Statcast figures indicating no underlying reasons for hope, Torkelson returned to Toledo hoping to get back on track.
The results from Triple-A have been varied. Torkelson has hit.239/.356/.443 with 11 homers in 275 PA with the Mud Hens, indicating that his numbers are good but not dominant. He also had a 30.9% strikeout rate in the minors this season, which was significantly higher than his previous strikeout rates in either the Major Leagues or minor leagues. As Petzold points out, many of these strikeouts come against sliders and changeups, while Torkelson has been performing better against higher-velocity pitches.
The 59-64 Tigers are still in contention for a winning record, but with a playoff run looking doubtful, Detroit is utilizing the remainder of the season to evaluate its youthful talent. Jace Jung and Trey Sweeney were just called up for their MLB debuts yesterday, so with those rookies, Torkelson, and Colt Keith becoming a mainstay in his first Major League season, the Tigers may be getting an early look at what may be their future infield.
Torkelson must still be considered a part of that future, since he hit.233/.313/.446 with 31 home runs in 684 PA in 2023. The first overall pick in the 2020 draft will not turn 25 until next week, and while the Tigers would have like to see the teenager acclimate to the major leagues more smoothly, it is still far too early to consider moving on from Torkelson. Of course, Torkelson will have to hold up his half of the bargain against MLB pitching, and even average-ish production will not suffice for a bat-first player expected to produce enormous numbers from first base.
