The Tigers announced Spencer Torkelson as a third baseman when they selected him with the first overall pick in the 2020 draft. That was in spite of the fact that Torkelson was primarily a first baseman/corner outfielder at Arizona State University, where fellow prospects Alika Williams, Drew Swift and Gage Workman generally covered the more demanding positions on the dirt. The primary selling point for Torkelson has always been his bat, but there was no harm for the Tigers in giving him some action on a position of higher import in the minors.
Last season, Torkelson started 75 minor league games at first base while logging 43 starts at the hot corner. He played exclusively first base upon reaching Triple-A in mid-August, though, and Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press writes that he’s worked solely at first thus far in minor league minicamp. Petzold suggests the Tigers view Torkelson as a permanent first baseman moving forward. That’s largely been the opinion of most prospect evaluators anyhow, yet the 22-year-old is still regarded among the top handful of minor league talents in the game. After hitting .267/.383/.552 across three levels in his first full professional season, Torkelson was rated by Baseball America as the sport’s No. 5 overall farmhand. He figures to be the Tigers regular first baseman before long, where’d he join Jonathan Schoop, Jeimer Candelario and Javier Baez in the primary infield.
More out of the Motor City:
- Petzold also profiles fellow top prospect Riley Greene, the No. 5 overall selection from the 2019 draft, noting that Greene has a “good chance” to break camp with the Major League club in 2022. Greene, ranked by Baseball America as the game’s No. 4 overall prospect (one spot ahead of Torkelson), will vie with former first-rounder Derek Hill and Victor Reyes for an outfield spot alongside veteran Robbie Grossman and Rule 5 sensation Akil Baddoo. The 21-year-old Greene posted a massive .301/.387/.534 with 24 home runs, 25 doubles, eight triples and 16 stolen bases (in 17 attempts). Greene did fan in 27.4% of his plate appearances, but his power and a hearty 11.3% walk rate helped to combat those punchouts. If Greene does break camp with the big league club, he’d be penciled in as manager AJ Hinch’s everyday center fielder. It’d be a departure from conventional industry wisdom, as top minor leaguers such as Greene and Torkelson are regularly held down for a few weeks early in the season to secure a seventh year of club control. The Tigers are aiming to get back to contention this season, however, and an extra few weeks of their best prospect(s) could prove vital in that regard. It’s also possible, of course, that changes to the service time mechanics are agreed upon under the forthcoming collective bargaining agreement anyhow.
- Right-handed pitching prospect Zack Hess will miss the entire 2022 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery in January, reports Chris McCosky of the Detroit News (Twitter link). Hess, who’ll turn 25 this week, ranks 25th among Detroit farmhands over at FanGraphs and, based on his 2021 output, might’ve eventually emerged as a big league bullpen option in 2022 had he been healthy. The 2019 seventh-rounder posted a combined 3.42 ERA and punched out 29.6% of his opponents between Class-A Advanced (49 2/3 innings) and Double-A (three innings) this past season. He also allowed just six homers in that time (1.02 HR/9). The big red flag for Hess was command, as he also issued a free pass to 15% of his opponents. Hess will need to improve upon that command, of course, but he won’t have the opportunity to hone that skill until the 2023 season at the earliest, it seems.
The_Voice_Of_REASON
Great article- thanks.
Pete'sView
Tigers on the rise.
The_Voice_Of_REASON
True.
48-team MLB
Maybe so…but Acuna will fight them off.
giantsphan12
Psyched to watch Tork when he gets called up this season. My son played travel ball with his cousin for 5 years and we know Spencer a little. He used to come watch his cousin play and was always really kind and supportive to the younger players. He’s gonna be a huge asset for the Tigers both on the field and in the clubhouse for many years to come!
13Morgs13
The tigers young talent is something to get excited about
TroyVan
No way Greene is the everyday Centerfielder at Comerica Park.
tigerdoc616
I would not say no way. He has played a lot of CF in the minors and has done quite well there, though eventually he likely plays a corner spot. True, CF in CoPA is often referred to as Comerica National Park for its expansiveness, but he will hold his own. Long term, probably LF or RF though.
TroyVan
I think Derek Hill has a long future patrolling the great expanse or Comerica National Park!
For Love of the Game
Derek “Crash” Hill is too injury-prone and light-hitting to be an everyday player.
Superstar Prospect Wander Javier
He is a LF only in my opinion. Average runner. Below average arm. Will get slower as he fills out. Similar to Michael Brantley. If I was a Tigers fan, I’d feel more comfortable with Baddoo in CF.
falconsball1993
Riley Greene? Average runner? He’s extremely fast, he just doesn’t steal bases.
Superstar Prospect Wander Javier
I’ve watched him live. He doesn’t stand out in any way. Fangraphs grades him as a 40 runner. MLB has him as a 50 runner. He is average. Might become below average as he gains more size.
Here’s an excerpt from his Fangraphs scouting report. Pretty much sums up what I saw:
“Greene was a little soft-bodied, his running gait was odd, and he seemed destined to play little more than an average outfield corner… He’s not a runner and we don’t have him projected in center field.”
falconsball1993
Soft-bodied as in a little chubby. He’s still a kid. Once he gets mature that’ll disappear. He’s an athlete
BeansforJesus
@Wander. Agreed. Watching him play, I don’t see a CF. Although I think he gets more than a season at CF in Detroit before he’s moved to a corner OF spot.
However, I don’t think he will terrible at CF. While I haven’t seen all that much of him, but from what I have seen he takes decent routes and gets good reads. I don’t know what evaluators that have seen him play far more than I have say though.
detroitdave84
I agree! He’s a corner OF just like Torkelson was always going to be a 1b.
dsett75
Well, he was 16-17 in SB’s last year and his other numbers were good too.
stymeedone
Baddoo is still improving his routes and has no arm due to his TJ surgery. Greene gets excellent jumps and has stronger routes.
detroitdave84
I don’t understand why they insist on making him a CF when he’s clearly a corner OF. He’s faster than average but he needs to get the jump in CF. Derek Hill should be in CF splitting time with Akil Badoo.
Airo13
Greene is for sure better than Baddoo in centerfield. Baddoo was sloppy as hell in the outfield last year. Hoping Hill’s hitting adjustments from last year, lead to him finally putting it all together. Love the idea of an outfield of Greene, Hill, Baddoo. Not many balls those 3 wouldn’t rundown if Baddoo refines his defense more.
tigerdoc616
Whether Tork and Greene break camp with the big club depends entirely on when the MLB season starts. If it starts on time or near on time, not likely. Both had only had about 40 games or so at AAA last year. Tigers are in no hurry to rush them so they would like to see them repeat some time in AAA. But I would suspect if all goes well, then they would probably be up by the second half of the season if not sooner. Tigers won’t do it to manipulate service time but 40 games in AAA isn’t that much. Both likely could benefit from some time there. Once they come up the Tigers want them to stay up.
Now if the season starts late, as in May or later, it is possible they could make the opening day roster since they will have 3-4 weeks in AAA by that time.
Whenever they come up, it will be exciting to watch them. Sure, they will have their struggles. Some more time in AAA would minimize those struggles. But they will have a positive impact on the Tigers once they do come up.
JoeBrady
I agree. Greene had 51 Ks in 159 ABs in AAA. that’s almost 200 per 600 ABs. That’s way too high. And he is only 21.147, so there is no hurry to promote him. At a minimum, I’d like to see no higher than 150 Ks/600 ABs, or better than a 2/1 K/W.
I can’t speak to his fielding, but Torkelson looks like he is ready to go, but again, with only 147 ABs, there should be no rush. IMO, too many guys get rushed to the pros.
Dtownwarrior78
Is it really rushing Greene if he hit over .300 in the minor leagues? I mean sure, he had his K issues but as was stated, he more than made up for those with his walk rate and Xtra base pop. If the Tigers get off to a nice start without Tork or Greene then yes I’d agree no rush. But if we get off to a tough start (under .500 going into May) and the kids are mashing in AAA, then yeah I’d be in a hurry to get their bats in the lineup. Just my opinion.
For Love of the Game
Greene will be 21 almost all of the 2022 season (if…) turning 22 on September 28th. More minor league time will help him reduce his K rate.
falconsball1993
Says who?
not alkaline
They probably really do need more seasoning in AAA.Another year of control would help the team also.
dugdog83
They better hold both players down for a few weeks at least.
JoeBrady
Dtownwarrior787 hours ago
Is it really rushing Greene if he hit over .300 in the minor leagues?
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Everyone looks at different stats. I like to look at Ks and K/W. His AAA K-rate projects to almost 200 per 600 ABs. That will only get worse when he gets promoted. There is no reason to expose him to MLB pitching at this point.
The walk rates are okay, but if major league pitchers find holes in your swing, the walks disappear quickly.
Detroit_SP
Exactly this. As a Mud Hens and Tigers fan, I will be excited to watch him at either level. As a fan, I want him helping the big league team ASAP. But, the key there is helping – not ON it. So if he starts in the minors as his K% drops to 15-20% in his second year, then he is ready for a call up. But his SO percentage is only going to increase when he gets to The Show, and a baseline of 30% is not going to get it done.
EasternLeagueVeteran
Go Stripes! Would love to see a return to contention. They have some young starting
Pitching who got valuable big league experience last year. Baez should be a real nice addition to the lineup. It would be nice to put pressure on the Twins and White Sox thru year end and bypass the Royals and Guardians.
ohyeadam
This is Twins Territory!
For Love of the Game
Last place finishes? The Tigers are done with that so you can have them. Or are you just butt-hurt about Baddoo (and giving up on Grossman)?
stymeedone
Whether Torkelson, Greene or both start with the team will depend on their spring. If they show they are ready, they will be up. If they struggle, Toledo bound.
TroyVan
They aren’t competing with any slouches. Greene has to compete with an already competent outfield platoon. Tork would have to displace Cabrera or really make things complicated with Haas (the backup Catcher). That’s why I’m not of the belief that both make it out of Spring Training. If either does, Greene has the best chance, IMO).
dsett75
If Tork don’t make opening day, they may slide Schoop to 1B and play someone else at 2B.
stymeedone
As Schoop is at 1B if Torkelson doesn’t earn the job, he will actually be competing with Willie Castro and Paredes, one of which would share 2B with Harold Castro. I see Haase spelling Baddoo in LF again.
Hello, Newman
I think a player like Sieya Suzuki would be a brilliant signing.
Between: W Castro, Short, Paredes, Cameron, Robson, Hill, and Reyes (all average Milb careers) there’s just too many question marks, scattered throughout the board. I think the risk is worth it.
Hello, Newman
I want Conforto.
Trade any 2 of Reyes, Hill, and/or Cameron.
BSHH
Conforto is a free agent; no trade is needed. Another draft pick would be lost if he were signed, though. However, I hope the Tigers wait and see how their younger OFs perform and then sign a better player than Conforto next year.
Gruß,
BSHH
Hello, Newman
Yeah, I’m indifferent on it. I really think they could have a chance at the central, with a few (fairly modest) moves.
I was a huge supporter of Hill earlier, super excited to see what Mike Cameron’s son had to offer, Reyes came in as a rule 5. I like all of them, still do. But, sub .300 obp is grim.
I think Conforto or Winker would be well worth the gamble. Strive for the central, and who knows what may happen.
SportsFan0000
No. I deep Hill and Cameron. Reyes is your injury depth on the AAA shuttle.
Cameron is still young and is primed for a breakout season. He needs AB in MLB.
Hello, Newman
Cameron really hasn’t done much in his MiLB career. I don’t see the hype, other than the name on his uniform. Hill has made some excellent defensive catches, other than that I truly do not get it. He is JaCoby Jones 2.0. Reyes is a fine replacement level/shuttle player; so is the previous two, at league min.
They need a full time competent level player, IMO
BSHH
Unless a new CBA changes the service time rules, the Tigers must do anything to maintain another year of control for their top prospects Greene and Torkelson, two hitters the Tigers might not develop again in many years. Playoffs this year would be nice, but having Greene and Torkelson for a few weeks longer in Detroit instead of letting them develop further in AAA will likely gave a marginal effect on the outcome. Much more decisive will be which veteran starter and reliever will be signed and how long the Tigers will accept subpar offense from their DH.
Gruß,
BSHH
SportsFan0000
Tork and Greene should get some more seasoning for the 1st month or so of the season;. Then, call them up in Mid June for good if they are ready.
stymeedone
They could always sign them to early extensions!
dsett75
Hurry up with the lockout!!! I want the free agent flurry to start!
The Saber-toothed Superfife
It’s so obvious, Al Avila is genius. Never been a GM as smart as Al in the history of the world……
to4
Don’t block the youth !
Badoo LF, Grossman CF, Greene RF
Candelario 3B, Correa SS, Baez 2B, Torkelson 1B
Barnhart C, Cabrera DH
Rodríguez, Mize, Skubal, Manning and someone else.
Trade Schoop for some pitching.
wileycoyote56
I’d like to see them re-sign Peralta, he’s serviceable and won’t block anyone. Maybe take a flyer on a couple comebacks too
Hello, Newman
They recently extended Schoop. He has been great for the team. In all reality, he is more valuable to the Tigers than probably any any other team.
Whose is he blocking? Paredes, W Castro, Short, Clemens, H Castro, Miggy?
wileycoyote56
Been a few years since we could be excited about a new season but it’s almost here. Now if we can just get the bargaining finished we’re in business
gotigers68
I just want baseball to start !!!!