The Tigers will miss the first baseman Spencer Torkelson from Triple-A Toledo today, according to Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press . Torkelson will replace Bligh Madrisas Petzold reports that Madris was optioned to Triple-A after the Tigers’ 3-0 loss to the Yankees yesterday.
It’s been two and a half months since Torkelson’s last Major League game, as the Tigers decided the first baseman needed a refresher after a brutal start to the season. Torkelson hit just .201/.266/.330 with four home runs in his first 230 plate appearances in 2024, translating to just a 68 wRC+. With his Statcast numbers not showing any fundamental reasons for optimism, Torkelson returned to Toledo looking to get himself back on track.
Results in Triple-A have been mixed. Torkelson hit .239/.356/.443 with 11 homers in 275 PA with the Mud Hens, so his numbers were solid but far from dominant. He also posted a 30.9% hitting rate in the minors this season, well above his previous hitting rates at the Major League or minor league levels. As Petzold notes, most of those hits come against sliders and changeups, though Torkelson has at least been more effective against high-velocity offerings.
A winning record is still available for the 59-64 Tigers, but with the playoffs looking unlikely, Detroit is using the rest of the season to evaluate its young talent. Jace Jung again Trey Sweeney were just called up yesterday for their MLB debuts, so among those rookies, Torkelson, and Colt Keith as it plays in its first Major League season, the Tigers may be taking an early look at what could be their future outfield.
Torkelson should still be considered a part of that future, as he hit .233/.313/.446 with 31 homers over 684 PA through the 2023 season. The first overall pick in the 2020 draft doesn’t turn 25 until next week, and while the Tigers would naturally like to see the youngster adjust to the big leagues smoothly, it’s too early to wonder if Detroit should look to move on from Torkelson. Of course, Torkelson will need to hold up his end of the bargain against MLB pitching, and even average production won’t cut it for a starting bat expected to put up big numbers from the starting spot.
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