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MLB 2020 Draft - Tigers Draft Spencer Torkelson #1 And sign him to $8.4 Million Bonus

Even though he has been pretty disappointing for a #1 pick, he's the second best every day offensive player behind Greene.
 
If the season ended today, here's how Keith would rank among 2893 qualified AA seasons since 2006:

159 wRC+: 24th
.427 wOBA: 18th
.976 OPS: 14th
.586 SLG: 9th

For the 21 and under group (264) he ranks 1st in SLG, 2nd in wRC+, wOBA, and OPS -- behind only Colby Mayo.
 
https://totallytigers.wordpress.com/2023/06/27/watercooler-wednesday-91/
WATERCOOLER WEDNESDAY.
Totally Tigers

Today, another opportunity for readers to discuss the hottest topics in a forum where thoughtful dialog and a variety of opinions are welcomed.

Let?s create some running conversational threads. And for those of you back in actual offices, here?s a question to take with you ? or use via Zoom ? as you talk to your co-workers.

Here is today?s topic??..

Now that the season is almost halfway complete, it?s time to take a fresh look at Spencer Torkelson.

He?s now played 186 games between 2 seasons has a .210/.290/.337/.628 slash line. At one point earlier this year, his hitting picked up but recently he has had another extended fall and is hitting .218. In his last 7 games (through Monday), he?s had 2 hits ? both singles.

Defensively, Spencer is challenged. After an ill-fated attempt to turn him into a 3Ber by the former regime, he has returned to his original position, first base. But he sports a -3 DRS which ranks at the bottom of MLB for that position.

Torkelson is still only 23 years old and came into the franchise under the previous regime and old (now broomed) player development system. There is a new team in place now both in the minors and the MLB level.

What do you think Torkelson?s future holds? Is it still too early to say? Can the Tigers get him back on track now that they have new people in charge? Or is time to cut ties now that some promising players like Kerry Carpenter can potentially take over his position and place in the lineup?
What should the Tigers do about Spencer Torkelson?

What should the Tigers do about Spencer Torkelson?

1. It's still too early to forecast his potential.

2. Have him spend more time with coaches.

3. It's time to trade him.

VOTE
 
An outlier stat for Torkelson is his career success vs. LHP on the road to date.

LINK
 
Last edited:
https://totallytigers.wordpress.com/2023/06/30/saturday-survey-84/
SATURDAY SURVEY.
Totally Tigers

Colt Keith was recently promoted from Erie to Toledo. He is the Tigers? top prospect and went from being unlisted in MLB?s top 100 to currently ranking in the low 40?s.

He has been seriously raking at the plate but his defensive skills still require some work. He is being proactive in how to play 3B better and putting in overtime learning the position.

The Tigers currently don?t have a viable third baseman and it?s expected that they will also need a 2Ber after this season. Keith plays both positions.

Should the Tigers call him up in August so they may get an extended look at him? It would help determine if they need to go outside the organization and sign one for next year.

Or should they leave him in Toledo to strengthen his skills for as long as possible and only call him up in September?
Which will serve Keith ? and the team ? better?

When should the Tigers call up Colt Keith?

1. In August so they may get an extended look.

2. Wait until the September call-ups.

VOTE
 
https://totallytigers.wordpress.com/2023/07/21/saturday-survey-87/
SATURDAY SURVEY.
Totally Tigers

Spencer Torkelson was promoted to Detroit in 2022 and struggled for most of the year, even being sent back down to Toledo. Many believed he was promoted much too early.

Last year, he hit .203/.285/.310/.604. In 110 games, he had 8 HRs and 28 RBIs. Defensively he also ranked 2nd from last with -8 DRS.

This year, he is hitting .231/.306/.411/.717 and has 14 HRs and 52 RBIs so far. He is currently sitting 3rd from last defensively at -5 DRS.

Tork is on pace for 24 HRs, 87 RBIs and 36 doubles for this season. While he has had his first 2-HR game, he has also had periods of being inconsistent at the plate. However, the stats that support ball-to-ball contact are considered to be in the top 10% of all MLB hitters.

Defensively, he continues to struggle with the glove at what is considered the easiest position.

But Torkelson is only 23 years old and he spent just 1 year in the minors in a poor system that has now been broomed. The Tigers made an ill-fated attempt to convert him into a 3Ber when he first arrived but changed course halfway through the season. That certainly did not help his development and most certainly delayed it.

Between being rushed to the majors and being coached in a minor league system that proved to be inept, it is fair to consider that Spencer is trying to catch up. He has shown improvement this year.
What are your thoughts about Torkelson now?

What do you think of Spencer Torkelson now?

1. Confident that he'll turn into a solid player.

2. It's still too soon to tell.

3. I have my doubts.

VOTE
 
Spencer Torkelson among players age 24 or younger this season:
- 3rd in HR (25). Between Soto and J-Rod
- 6th in RBI (72). Between Vlad Jr. and Tatis

40 HR's next season doesn't feel out of the question. Only four players did that last season: Judge, Schwarber, Alonso, Trout.

We?ve gone from he?s a bust send him to TOL to 40 jacks in 2024.
 
https://totallytigers.wordpress.com/2023/10/21/deeper-discussions-92/
DEEPER DISCUSSIONS.
Totally Tigers

Spencer Torkelson took a huge leap forward this season in his effort to improve as a hitter. It is commonly believed that he was promoted way too soon and the cause of much of his struggles in 2022.

This past year, he hit 31 HRs and 94 RBIs, a feat last accomplished by a Tiger back in 2016.

All good news for a team that has been at or near the bottom of MLB in offensive stats. The Tigers are in desperate need of hitters.

However, Spencer is a horrible infielder. For 2 years in a row now, he has ranked as MLB?s worst 1Ber. A position that is the easiest one to play.

In 2022, Tork cost the team 14 runs due to his fielding. This year, a slight improvement ? allowing 11 runs due to his glove work. However, he still ranks last in MLB by a wide margin.

Solid defensive skills are what the Tigers are trying to add to a rebuilding roster and unfortunately, Spencer doesn?t currently have them. It remains to be seen if he can improve enough to be an adequate defender. He is still relatively inexperienced, having only been playing at the MLB level for just less than 2 years.

Scott Harris and A. J. Hinch have both stated that going forward ? and now that Miguel Cabrera is retired ? the Tigers will not have a regular Designated Hitter. The position will be rotated among 3-4 players as the rest of MLB teams have been doing for awhile now.

This brings us to the question as to whether Tork can hit enough ? and offer solid protection in the lineup ? to offset the runs he costs the team. Will his value as a hitter overcome his inability to field?

Knowing that the Tigers still need to make significant and widespread changes to their roster, they will be unable to fill all their needs via a combination of free agents and promoting prospects. They will have to make some trades in order to get the talent they need.

And the bigger the trade piece they have, the better the return will be. Potentially, multiple players received.

Could trading Torkelson bring the Tigers back multiple pieces that will speed up the path to contention?

If not Tork, is there someone else could the Tigers trade in order to get some quality players to fill their holes?

Today?s blog addresses this dilemma and allows readers to share their thoughts in more detail. And hopefully, to actively engage with others by responding to their posts and creating back-and-forth discussion threads. The more the merrier!

For this one blog only, you?ve got 6 sentences max to share your thoughts. Of course, you can also respond to other readers.

TT will supply the ammunition. One thought-provoking question. Several options provided. One hard choice to be selected. One vote.
Ready?

Should the Tigers trade Spencer Torkelson?

1. Yes

2. No

VOTE
 
https://www.mlb.com/tigers/news/torkelson-named-tiger-of-the-year
Spencer Torkelson named Tiger of the Year.
Slugger powered team with 31 home runs, 94 RBIs.
Tigers official site

https://motorcitybengals.com/posts/spencer-torkelson-named-tiger-of-the-year-01henpp5cm23
Spencer Torkelson Named Tiger Of The Year.
MCBTB

Spencer made history as the first player in Tigers' history to record 30 or more doubles, 30 or more home runs, and 90 or more RBIs in his age-23 season.
In the second half of the season, Torkelson hit 19 home runs and put up an impressive OPS of .816.

https://www.detroitnews.com/story/s...tigers-honors-from-detroit-media/71488124007/
Spencer Torkelson, Tyler Holton earn Tigers honors from Detroit media.
Detnews

https://www.freep.com/story/sports/...torkelson-2023-tiger-of-the-year/71491802007/
Detroit Tigers first baseman Spencer Torkelson wins 2023 Tiger of the Year.
Freep

https://www.mlive.com/tigers/2023/11/spencer-torkelson-named-tiger-of-the-year.html
Spencer Torkelson named Tiger of the Year.
Mlive
 
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