3 key questions the new Detroit Tigers GM needs an answer to

2. ‘What do you make of Spencer Torkelson’s struggles and how do you address first base?’

It’s one thing if your top prospect enters the big leagues, scuffles, but then goes back down and rakes. That’s just a player who wasn’t ready for the monumental leap that comes with transitioning to the big leagues. But what happens when they get sent down and they still don’t hit?

That’s where the Tigers are with Spencer Torkelson, who is now slashing .179/.289/.345 over his first 22 games with Toledo. While he is taking his fair share of free passes, he’s also struck out 28 times in those 22 games, which is on the higher end of what is tolerable in the game.

Torkelson is obviously still a part of the long-term plans with the Detroit Tigers, but it’s a fair question to wonder how much should be expected of him next season. They could sign a player on the fringes of starting to get them by until Torkelson is ready, or they could sign a full stopgap to cover the position all of 2023.

Addressing the position by committee as they have this season is an option as well, but not a real one if their intent is contention.