Tigers' Spencer Torkelson: Impressive Opening Day performance
Rotowire
Torkelson went 1-for-1 with a solo home run and four walks Thursday against the Dodgers.
Torkelson had a strong spring and benefited from some injuries on the Detroit roster, a combination that set him up for regular at-bats to begin the season. He took advantage with his first opportunity as he put together solid plate appearances, the most productive of which was a solo home run in the fifth inning. Torkelson has consistently shown patience at the plate in his big-league career, and he should be able to take a step forward in production if he can tap into his raw power more consistently.
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Tigers' Spencer Torkelson: Makes Opening Day roster
Rotowire
The Tigers will include Torkelson on their Opening Day roster, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.
Heading into spring training, Torkelson seemed to be on the outside looking in for a roster spot. However, he had a great Grapefruit League showing with a 1.069 OPS and five home runs. Torkelson looks to be in line for regular at-bats at designated hitter with Kerry Carpenter being needed defensively to cover for the Tigers' outfield injuries.
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Tigers' Spencer Torkelson: Continuing push for roster spot
Rotowire
Torkelson is impressing offensively and defensively this spring, and he may see time at DH, first base and in right field as a versatile bench option for the Tigers in 2025, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.
A year ago, Torkelson was seen as a fixture at first base for years to come in Detroit, but a rough 2024 campaign has added a bit more uncertainty to the picture. He still seems likely to make the Opening Day roster, though he may have to settle for more of a bench role. Torkelson recently started seeing reps in right field, which gives him more potential versatility as a reserve. The biggest key for the 25-year-old remains his ability to make consistent contact, because if he can, he has the power in his bat to have a big impact.
Tigers' Spencer Torkelson: Could see regular starts at DH
Rotowire
Torkelson could open the season as the Tigers' regular designated hitter if Kerry Carpenter is used mostly in right field, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.
With Parker Meadows (arm) and Matt Vierling (shoulder) slated to open the season on the injured list, Wenceel Perez will shift over to center field and Carpenter might see most of his reps in right field. That opens up the DH spot, and Petzold projects Torkelson to fill it, at least on a short-term basis. Torkelson is coming off a disappointing 2024 season that saw him put up a .669 OPS in 92 regular-season contests, but he's had a nice spring, clubbing four homers in 14 tilts.
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Tigers' Spencer Torkelson: To see time in right
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Torkelson is set to see some time in right field to wrap up spring training, starting with Monday's contest against the Pirates, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.
Detroit's outfield has been ravaged by injuries, with Parker Meadows (arm) and Matt Vierling (shoulder) both set to miss Opening Day. Wenceel Perez also recently dealt with back tightness, though he managed to return Saturday after missing a few days of action. Even with Perez back in the fold, the Tigers could use some more outfield depth, which is why they're giving Torkelson a try. He has only ever played first base or served as the DH in the majors, though the former Arizona State star did see some time in the outfield during his college days. Any additional positional versatility would help Torkelson's chances of making the Opening Day roster and could give him a bit more fantasy value this season.
Torkelson went 3-for-3 with a pair of solo home runs in Friday's Grapefruit League win over the Orioles.
After his disastrous 2024 season, It can be rather easy to forget that Torkelson has a 31-homer season in the majors under his belt, and he's still just 25 years old. He reminded everyone of his power with Friday's multi-homer game, bringing his OPS up to 1.181 this spring, although it's uncertain where exactly Torkelson fits in on this Tigers club that is expected to have Colt Keith at first base most days, Gleyber Torres at second and Kerry Carpenter at DH.
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Tigers' Spencer Torkelson: Hits first spring home run
Rotowire
Torkelson went 1-for-3 with a two-run home run in Thursday's Grapefruit League game against the Rays.
It was the first spring home run for Torkelson, who has gone 3-for-10 in the early going with a robust .900 OPS. The 2020 No. 1 overall pick has struggled with consistency in the majors and has seemingly lost his grip on an everyday role with the Tigers, though he could still make the team as a bench player. Given Torkelson's raw power, he is a potentially intriguing fantasy option if he ever sees regular playing time in 2025.
Tigers' Spencer Torkelson: In the mix for roster spot
Rotowire
Though Torkelson has been squeezed by some other players on the roster, he could still make the team as a weapon against left-handed pitching, Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports.
Colt Keith has been taking reps at first base, which has seemingly pushed Torkelson aside. However, the latter still offers plenty of pop, particularly against southpaws. The Tigers may want that skill as part of their bench when they break camp. Torkelson's fantasy value has certainly taken a hit following a disappointing 2024 in which he batted .219 with a .669 OPS, though he could slowly boost his stock if he makes the team and begins to carve out a regular role. The former No. 1 overall pick did launch 31 home runs in 2023, which points to some of his upside as a slugger, but making consistent contact has been a challenge at the MLB level.
Tigers president of baseball operations Scott Harris said Friday that Torkelson's role for 2025 is not yet defined, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports.
The Tigers have signed Gleyber Torres to play second base and will move Colt Keith to first base, leaving Torkelson without a clear path to playing time against right-handed pitching. He could be used in a short-side platoon with Keith at first base, but the Tigers dangling Torkelson in trade talks might be a likelier scenario. The former top prospect popped 31 home runs in 2023 but put up a .669 OPS in 2024 and spent a chunk of the season in the minors.
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Tigers' Spencer Torkelson: Could be out of starting job
Rotowire
Torkelson might be limited to a short-side platoon or reserve role following the Tigers' signing of Gleyber Torres, Evan Woodbery of MLive.com reports.
Torres is expected to play second base for Detroit, and the feeling seems to be that Colt Keith is likelier to handle first base than third base, which would leave Torkelson without a spot in the lineup at least against right-handed pitching. Torkelson stumbled to a .669 OPS in the 2024 regular season and spent a chunk of the season in the minors. However, the former top prospect cranked 31 homers in 2023 and is still just 25, so he should have some trade value if the Tigers want to go that route.
