Spencer Torkelson's Resurgence
From Optioned to the Minors to Potential All-Star
Spencer Torkelson is enjoying a career best season with the Tigers so far in 2025. The former #1 overall pick back in 2020 has had an up and down start to his MLB career, but he’s showing signs of putting it altogether in his fourth season. Will those improvements stick or is this just another upswing in his fluctuating career?
I’m going to breakdown his career year by year and give evidence to why I believe Torkelson’s bat is here to stay and could even get him a nod at his first All-Star game selection.
Rookie Season (2022)
Torkelson made his debut with the Tigers on Opening Day of the 2022 season. Expectations were high but the Tigers team as a whole struggled, so the pressure and spotlight was muted. His presence in the lineup provided optimism for Tigers fans as they looked to the future. 2023 would be his opportunity to shine.
Stats: 110 G | .203 AVG | .285 OBP | .319 SLG | 8 HR | 38 R | 28 RBI | 24.5 K% | 9.2 BB%
Sophomore Season (2023)
Spencer Torkelson’s second season in the MLB was his chance to show Detroit his true potential. With big first base shoes to fill in Miguel Cabrera, the pressure was on for Torkelson to deliver. A slow start to the season gave fans pause. What happened to this extremely successful college bat? Through May, he hit only 4 HRs and drove in 24 RBI. Not what you want to see from your former top prospect. Something clicked in June as he went on to hit 7 HR with 16 RBI. The power showed up in a big way and fans were getting excited as the hype might finally be paying off. Torkelson followed that up with 4 HR in July, 9 in August, and 7 in September. His 19 HR in the second half were the 3rd most among first baseman and 11th most overall. It appeared that Torkelson had arrived to the MLB stage and fans were thrilled with his potential to replicate that successful second half for an entire season in 2024.
Stats: 159 G | .233 AVG | .313 OBP | .446 SLG | 31 HR | 88 R | 94 RBI | 25.0 K% | 9.8 BB%
2024 Season
The 2024 season was another rollercoaster ride for Spencer Torkelson and Tigers fans who anxiously awaited his continued success from the previous season. Pre All-Star break he hit 4 HR with 17 RBI in 230 PA. On June 2nd, Torkelson was optioned to Triple-A as the Tigers spiraled and searched for some offensive success. In the meantime, the hope was for Torkelson to clear his mind, reset, and gain some positive momentum before getting called back up to the majors. Torkelson went on to play 58 games with Toledo, hitting .239 with 11 HR and a .799 OPS. A good enough result to get recalled on August 17th. In 57 PA in August with Detroit, he hit .308 with 3 HR and a .368 OBP. Fans were still concerned as the power numbers were not as consistent as expected or depicted by the success in 2023. Would Torkelson be part of the Tigers future plans or would they turn to other options?
Stats: 92 G | .219 AVG | .295 OBP | .374 SLG | 10 HR | 45 R | 37 RBI | 27.6 K% | 8.7 BB%
2025 Season
The 2025 offseason leading into Spring Training made it seem as if Spencer Torkelson might be fighting for a bench spot or without a job entirely. The Tigers planned to shift Colt Keith over to 1B and signed Gleyber Torres to fill the need at 2B. Torkelson would have to hit his way onto the team; and hit he sure did. In 19 Spring Training games, Torkelson hit 5 HR with a .340/.389/.680 slash line. Torkelson earned himself a spot on the roster, but would consistent playing time be there? Could his Spring Training success be replicated against the best of major league pitching once the regular season started?
Opening Night vs the LA Dodgers — Torkelson started and went 1-1 with a HR and 4 BBs, no SOs. I knew after watching those 5 PA, that he was back and better than ever. A more closed off batting stance likened to his college days allowed him to get the barrel on the ball faster, while allowing him to see the ball better coming out of the pitcher’s hand.
Spencer Torkelson followed up that impressive opening night performance with 7 HR, 23 RBI in April and 6 HR, 18 RBI in May. He owns the highest OPS of his career (.836) and leads the Tigers in HR and RBI so far this season. Torkelson has been an integral part to the Tigers’ success and is making a strong case for an All-Star bid. Here’s where he ranks among AL 1B:
1st in HR (16)
3rd in Runs Scored (41)
1st in RBI (47)
T-3rd in wRC+ (133)
T-4th in fWAR (1.6)
Year-to-Year Improvements
Torkelson has improved in several areas offensively from last season to this season. He raised his exit velocity from 89 mph to 90.5 mph, more than doubled his barrel % (6.7 to 14.5), and improved his hard hit % from 39.7 to 43.6%. Increases in those three areas are a recipe for success. Not to mention all his expected stats look better than last season, backing up the improved offensive production. His plate approach has also gotten better as he’s striking out at a career low rate (24.5%) and walking at a career high rate (12.6%). All indications point to a career season for the Tigers slugger.
Stats: 70 G | .234 AVG | .344 OBP | .492SLG | 16 HR | 41 R | 47 RBI | 24.5 K% | 12.6 BB%
Rest of Season and Beyond
The minor adjustments Torkelson has made at the plate and to his swing are going to continue to pay off the rest of 2025. I predict 35+ HR with a lower batting average but close to 100 R and RBI once all is said and done. The Tigers need his bat to show up as they make a push for a deep postseason run and Torkelson needs to finish strong to prove those disbelievers wrong. I’m excited for what’s in store the rest of the way and in future seasons to come. Torkelson’s fortitude matches that of the grit of Detroit and what’s better than a comeback story to motivate your team towards a World Series Championship.