4 Detroit Tigers players under the most pressure in 2023

Feb 24, 2023; Lakeland, FL, USA;  Detroit Tigers first baseman Spencer Torkelson (20) poses for a
Feb 24, 2023; Lakeland, FL, USA; Detroit Tigers first baseman Spencer Torkelson (20) poses for a / Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
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Spencer Torkelson

Spencer Torkelson's rookie season probably could not have gone any worse. Torkelson will turn 24 years old this season. To put that into perspective, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. will just be turning 24 this season and has already finished top two in MVP voting. This translates to: Spencer Torkelson needs to have a big year.

I'm not claiming Torkelson needs to be an MVP level player, but he at least needs to be a league average hitter in 2023. Torkelson struggled mightily in 2022, hitting just eight homers in 360 plate appearances. His OPS sat as just over .600, a number that will need to go up significantly in 2023.

Torkelson has not gotten off to the greatest start in spring training, making some fans to question whether he will make the opening day roster. Tyler Nevin has gotten off to a nice start as well, making the rumblings of Tork starting in the season in Toledo even louder. The former No. 1 overall pick is looking to establish himself as a long-term piece for the Detroit Tigers and a big 2023 will go a long way into doing that.