Torkelson Returns to Tigers with Much to Prove
The Detroit Tigers had an eventful weekend, highlighted by taking a couple of games from the New York Yankees, including a dramatic walk-off win in the Major League Baseball Little League Classic.
More significantly, one of those victories marked the return of Spencer Torkelson, whose performance in the coming weeks may greatly influence whether Detroit can rise above mediocrity.
The Tigers have not made a postseason appearance since 2014, tying them with the Los Angeles Angels for the longest active drought in baseball. Several factors have contributed to Detroit’s prolonged rebuild, notably the inability to acquire future stars when trading Justin Verlander in 2017. However, the Tigers have had two No. 1 overall picks in the draft since then, and neither has significantly improved the team’s trajectory.
In 2018, Detroit chose Casey Mize, who has compiled a 9-19 record with a 4.28 ERA in 55 career starts. According to Baseball Reference, Mize has been worth 3.5 wins above replacement (WAR). For comparison, Paul Skenes has already amassed more WAR in just over three months with the Pittsburgh Pirates.
In 2020, the Tigers selected Torkelson, who appeared to be on the right track after hitting 31 home runs in 2023. However, his struggles early the following season led to a demotion to the minors in June. He returned and hit a double and a triple on Saturday.
Detroit is currently just three games below .500, and one can easily imagine how much stronger the team could be if Mize and Torkelson were performing at the level of recent No. 1 overall picks like Skenes, Adley Rutschman, and Royce Lewis. By deciding not to trade Cy Young contender Tarik Skubal at the deadline, the Tigers have positioned themselves for potential relevance in 2025.
The key question is whether the Tigers can enhance what has been one of the league’s weaker offenses. Improved production from Torkelson would be a major boost.
Trivia Time
Torkelson was the fourth No. 1 overall draft pick out of Arizona State. Can you name the others?
A Tight Race
Amazingly, the top six teams in Major League Baseball are separated by just one game. Philadelphia leads at 73-51, a half-game ahead of Baltimore, the Los Angeles Dodgers, and the New York Yankees, who all stand at 73-52. Cleveland and Milwaukee follow closely at 72-52.
Not only are the AL East, AL Central, and NL West division races incredibly tight, but the battle for first-round byes is also shaping up to be thrilling, as only the top two division winners qualify. The race is wide open in the National League, while in the American League, Houston (67-56) has some catching up to do but could still secure a bye with their recent hot streak of 10 wins in 11 games.
Line of the Week
Philadelphia’s Weston Wilson made history by becoming the first rookie in Phillies history to hit for the cycle on Thursday night.
However, the spotlight belongs to Juan Soto for his three-homer performance two nights earlier, leading the New York Yankees to a 4-1 victory over the Chicago White Sox.
Comeback of the Week
Facing their final out on Wednesday night, the Texas Rangers tied the game against Boston with a three-run homer by Wyatt Langford. Jonah Heim then led off the 10th inning with a two-run homer, lifting Texas to a 9-7 win. At one point, the Red Sox had a 97.3% win probability, according to Baseball Savant.
Despite this dramatic win, the defending champion Rangers face an uphill battle to make the playoffs, having lost 10 of their last 14 games and currently sitting 11 games under .500.
Trivia Answer
The other No. 1 overall draft picks from Arizona State were Rick Monday (1965 by the Athletics), Floyd Bannister (1976 by the Astros), and Bob Horner (1978 by the Braves).