1 week agoDetroit Tigers first baseman
Spencer Torkelson hit a 423-foot laser to left field off of
Alex Vesia in the seventh inning of the Tigers' 5-4 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers in Thursday's season opener. It was an excellent night for Torkelson, as he got on base in all five plate appearances and went 1-for-1 with four walks, two runs scored, and one RBI. Torkelson spent some time in Triple-A last season working on cutting down his strikeout percentage and getting on base more, so this is exactly what the Tigers and fantasy managers wanted to see to begin his 2025 campaign. He's off to a good start and will look to continue his success Friday and Saturday as the Tigers look to win a few games versus the Dodgers before heading to Seattle early next week.
--Nicho Roessler - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
2 weeks agoDetroit Tigers first baseman/designated hitter
Spencer Torkelson, the former No. 1 overall pick, has made the team's Opening Day roster, sources tell the Detroit Free Press' Evan Petzold. Torkelson, who has so far been a disappointment for the Tigers despite hitting 31 homers and driving in 94 runs in 2023, will open the 2025 season on the big-league roster after slashing .340/.389/.680 with a 1.07 OPS, two doubles, five home runs, 11 RBI and a stolen base in 19 Grapefruit League games. Not only is the 25-year-old right-handed power bat on the Opening Day roster, but he figures to open the season as Detroit's primary designated hitter with
Kerry Carpenter being needed full time in the outfield. After an impressive 2023 campaign, Torkelson's hard-hit numbers plunged and his strikeout rate went back up in 2024. The power is there, but he will need to perform and make more contact in order to keep regular playing time.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Detroit Free Press - Evan Petzold
2 weeks agoDetroit Tigers first baseman
Spencer Torkelson has continued to impress in spring training and has put himself in a good position to make the Opening Day roster. Torkelson has been one of the most consistent bats in the Detroit lineup during camp, as he has posted a strong .302/.364/.581 slash line with four home runs. He held a 4:10 BB:K and swiped one bag. In addition to his improving bat, Torkelson has begun to see time in right field, which has only improved his chances of making the Opening Day roster. Throughout the start of his professional career, Torkelson has exclusively only played at first base. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status, as he could open the season as a depth option on the roster. Last season, he posted an underwhelming .219/.295/.374 line with 10 home runs. If he continues to impress, he could eventually carve out time as first base behind
Colt Keith, at right field, or even as a designated hitter. He is worth taking as a late-round flier in AL-only formats.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Jason Beck
3 weeks agoThe Detroit Free Press' Evan Petzold writes that first baseman
Spencer Torkelson could see regular at-bats this year at designated hitter. The Tigers could be rotating players around early in the year in the outfield with both
Parker Meadows (arm) and
Matt Vierling (shoulder) injured, which could mean more looks for Torkelson at DH if
Kerry Carpenter is needed more in the outfield. The former No. 1 overall pick in 2020 out of Arizona State University hasn't lived up to his draft stock to this point, even after clubbing a career-high 31 long balls and driving in 94 runs in his second season in 2023. The 25-year-old right-handed slugger took a step back last year, though, posting a .669 OPS with only 10 home runs in 92 games played. However, he's hitting .286 (10-for-35) with four homers and nine RBI in 14 spring training games and could be a sneaky late-round flier for some power in deeper fantasy leagues.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Detroit Free Press - Evan Petzold
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