When the Detroit Tigers began mapping out their 2022 season, they had high hopes for one of the many valuable Rockies.
One of them was center fielder Riley Green, who was mostly injured.
The other was Infielder Spencer Turkelson, the first pick in the 2020 MLB draft.
Torkelson is the unanimous top-five prospect in baseball, and 2021 was a memorable season for him in the minor leagues.
He has made 30 home runs last year, across three (!) Minor league levels: High-A, Double-A and Triple-A.
That gave him a place in the Tigers’ 2022 plan, and while things aren’t working out for Detroit as a team, it’s fair to say that Torkelson is evolving and learning every day.
“Evolution and learning” is a fancy way that he’s struggled so far, but if you don’t believe it, it’s good that he’s in a coma right now.
The young slugger has not faced much adversity so far, and it will be interesting to see how he manages to adapt to MLB pitchers by using his swing holes.
He is still learning how to handle MLB pitching
At the moment, and with his fourth home run of the season on Wednesday afternoon, he is lowering .173 / .289 / .308 with .597 OPS.
Once the dust settles and he learns to handle all sorts of pitches from MLB harlers, those numbers will undoubtedly increase.
Homer on Wednesday here, so you can see his talent.
“Torque; For the 4th MLB Homer Tigers rook, ”MLB Pipeline tweeted.
Torque 6
For the 4th MLB Homer Tigers rook pic.twitter.com/ydBhimWbM8
– MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) May 18, 2022
It was undoubtedly against Matt Whistler, a tough Tampa Bay race right.
Torkelson will one day be one of the best sluggers in the game.
But these struggles are very important to him: making the necessary adjustments will indicate his ability to achieve sustainable success.