Detroit Tigers need to be cautiously optimistic with Spencer Torkelson

It’s good that he’s back, but the Detroit Tigers need to see improvement from the former No. 1 overall pick

The Detroit Tigers have called up Spencer Torkelson to rejoin the team’s roster after rosters expanded as a part of the annual September expansion. It’s the time of year when September call-ups flood the news and youngsters make their debuts.

While in the case of Spencer Torkelson, the debut came back in April on Detroit Tigers Opening Day. The day was full of promise, where the team beat the Chicago White Sox in walk-off fashion. A day where it felt like things might be different, even after just one game.

Here we are in September, feeling like it’s another month lost and another season claimed by the rebuild. In July, Torkelson saw his brutal start to the 2022 season come to a halt. He was sent down to Triple-A to hit the refresh button while with the Triple-A Toledo Mud Hens.

But, after a little over a month in the minors, he earned his promotion back to the big leagues to join the Tigers again. It was not the best showing in the minors, but the Tigers felt it was time to bring him back up.

Detroit Tigers need to be cautiously optimistic with Spencer Torkelson.

As the 2022 season continues to progress, the Detroit Tigers have to be a little cautious with what happens next. To start the season with the Tigers, Torkelson came out and posted a .197/.282/.296 slash line with 11 doubles and five home runs with 21 RBI  to his credit.

The performance was not pretty. At least, it was not what the fans had hoped from the former first overall pick. Compared to the Baltimore Orioles, who are seeing top prospect after top prospect paying off, Torkelson may be at the point where some Tigers fans are worrying.

His initial performance in the minors was not outstanding, but he finished his stint in the minors with a .229/.348/.389 slash line with six doubles and five home runs for 18 RBI. It was not the most exciting improvement, but the Tigers’ offense has been pretty abysmal overall.

The biggest issue for Torkelson seems to be swing decisions and plate discipline. While his strikeout percentage is not horrible, the contact has not been as good as is expected. But, as he gets called back up to the big leagues, things have to see a boost.

The important thing to remember is that Torkelson is still a rookie. He’s got 298 at-bats under his belt in the big leagues. He needs time. This is that chance for him to get things going, which is what leads me to say fans should be cautiously optimistic.

Torkelson is going to use this as a chance to get settled back in. He’s going to get more reps, get more at-bats, and get the chance to settle into the big leagues. The struggles could very well still be there.

Fans need to be optimistic. There’s no reason to be freaking out, but there may be some reason to worry if he keeps struggling. But this is his chance to keep trending upwards and getting some traction for a strong finish to the 2022 season.

As Torkelson gets back into the Tigers lineup, fans should be hoping for a successful finish to the season—ending the season on a high note.