Bewildering Spencer Torkelson splits exacerbate Tigers fans’ frustrations

The Detroit Tigers didn't select Spencer Torkelson with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2020 MLB Draft to get this sort of production in return. Yes, Tork offers a tremendous amount of power when he gets a hold of one. Unfortunately for the Tigers and Tork, that comes at an inconsistent clip, and rarely with runners on base.

The near-constant knock on Torkelson is how he hits with runners in scoring position. Given where he hits in the lineup, the Tigers expected goal is to get runners on in front of a player with as much power as Torkelson possesses. In 2023 and 2025, the only two times Torkelson has registered a complete MLB season, he's hit 31 home runs apiece. Yet, in 2025, he drove in just 78 runs despite all of that power. This season, he has just 43 RBI despite 16 home runs to his name. What gives?

The data backs up Tigers fans' complaints about Spencer Torkelson

Torkelson is one of the most frustrating players to watch in baseball, and certainly on the Tigers. While most hitters should thrive with runners in scoring position, as it eliminates pitchers' ability to pitch around them, Torkelson's statistics vary depending on the situation. With the bases loaded, he's hitting just .081. With runners on second and third, he's hitting .091, which is only a marginal improvement.

It's not all bad, as Torkelson hits .311 with runners on the corners. The issue with Torkelson isn't just that he's bad with RISP, but that it's nearly impossible to point out a solution. Overall, this season isn't all that different than last for Tork. He's on pace for close to 30 home runs and a batting average barely north of the Mendoza line. He plays a good enough first base, to boot, though not Gold Glove caliber by any means.

The Tigers can't count on Spencer Torkelson

The biggest issue with Torkelson is that the Tigers cannot rely on him. When he was drafted, Torkelson was projected as a middle-of-the-order bat with big-league power. Some pundits went as far as to suggest he could slide into the Tigers lineup almost immediately. Those scouts weren't wrong about the power Tork has. What they failed to realize was Torkelson's plate discipline gets worse with runners on. The bigger the situation, the worse Torkelson's sense of the strike zone gets. That puts AJ Hinch in a bind, and the Tigers leaving runners on far too often.

Postseason Tork is even worse the regular season Tork. The Tigers first baseman has just a .597 OPS in 15 playoff games. Not only is he not driving in runs when it counts in the regular season, but he's a guaranteed out in the playoffs.

The sad truth is Tork is just productive enough to keep his job. The Tigers cannot easily replace his power in the lineup, even if most of those home runs come with no runners on. Considering the position he plays, Torkelson is advertised as a run-producer. He's been anything but this season, and Detroit's lineup is suffering as a result.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow