Spencer Torkelson is unfortunately putting himself on the hot seat with Tigers fans

Detroit Tigers first baseman Spencer Torkelson is known for his power at the plate, but he may be getting under the skin of fans due to his struggles to hit with runners in scoring position. It's something he needs to clean up to become a more complete hitter.

Some of the stats are pretty ghastly. Torkelson only has six hits in 62 career at-bats with the bases loaded or runners on second and third. He also has a .172 batting average when there is a runner just on second base so when there are ducks on the pond he has trouble bringing them home.

In total in his big league career he has slashed .207/.297/.360 with 14 home runs and 143 runs batted in when he comes to the plate with runners in scoring position. Those numbers are pretty rough and the Tigers have to want more from their slugger.

Spencer Torkelson needs to improve in clutch situations at the plate for Tigers

On some level this trend makes sense. Torkelson is a power bat swinging for the fences. He is not the guy you want at the plate in situational at-bats when putting the ball in play is all that is needed to score a run.

Maybe his struggles at the plate are the price that is paid in exchange for his power. It's pretty easy to argue that he makes up for his struggles with runners on with his power. His 31 homers last season made it pretty easy to overlook his deficiencies.

Still, if he struggles in those spots naturally, there are going to be adjustments made. Manager A.J. Hinch moved him down in the batting order Tuesday and then sat him on Wednesday. The move seems less of a punishment and more like a needed reset for Torkelson, as he has just three hits in 20 at-bats early in the season.

It's very easy for fans to become impatient with the first baseman when he is not hitting dingers. When the power well is dry for sluggers, seeing them strike out and struggle to put the ball in play really brings their faults to the fore.

It doesn't help matters that fans are seeing young shortstop Kevin McGonigle come up clutch with runners in scoring position during incredible 10-pitch at-bats. One can get spoiled and expect the goods every time when runners are on base after seeing gutsy AB's like that.

Torkelson should be fine in the long run and when he starts launching dingers the struggles with RISP will not be as annoying, but it is something he should work on so he can continue to contribute offensively even if he is not hitting homers.