Spencer Torkelson

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Detroit Tigers #2 prospect in 2022
  Track Record: Torkelson broke Barry Bonds’ freshman home run record at Arizona State and established himself early as the top prospect in the 2020 draft class. The Tigers drafted him first overall and signed him for $8.146 million, the largest signing bonus for any player since MLB implemented the draft pool system in 2012. Torkelson reported to the Tigers’ alternate training site after he signed and made his pro debut in 2021. He hit 30 home runs as he jumped three levels from High-A to Triple-A and was selected for the Futures Game in Denver. The Tigers sent Torkelson to the Arizona Fall League after the season, but his campaign was cut short by a sprained ankle.
  
  Scouting Report: With strength in both physical appearance and performance, Torkelson punishes baseballs to all fields with 80-grade raw power and hits jaw-dropping home runs that demoralize opposing pitchers. More than just an all-or-nothing slugger, Torkelson complements his power with a polished eye for the strike zone, excellent hand-eye coordination and a mature approach that make him a plus hitter. Torkelson played his entire college career at first base and, even though the Tigers announced him as a third baseman on draft day, first base is his present and future home. Torkelson is only a fringe-average runner, but his natural athleticism, average arm strength and steady footwork have him positioned as to be at least an average defender.
  
  The Future: After steamrolling his way through three affiliates, Torkelson has a chance to make the Tigers’ roster out of spring training. If he doesn’t, his debut should come shortly after.
• 
  Ranked Detroit Tigers #1 prospect in 2021
  Hitting: 60. Power: 80. Running: 45. Fielding: 55. Arm: 50.
  
  TRACK RECORD: Torkelson was a jack-of-all trades at Casa Grande High in Petaluma, Calif., playing football and basketball in addition to baseball and spending time as both a pitcher and position player on the diamond. He was on the fringe of draft radars but went undrafted out of high school. As a freshman at Arizona State, Torkelson led the nation with 25 home runs and smashed Barry Bonds’ school freshman home run record. He followed up by batting .351/.446/.707 with 23 home runs as a sophomore and entered his junior season on the verge of breaking the Sun Devils’ career home run record and entering the national top 10. Torkelson drew 31 walks in 17 games in 2020 as opponents gave him the Bonds treatment and simply pitched around him, but he still managed to hit six home runs in limited action before the season was shut down because of the coronavirus pandemic. The Tigers decided he was their pick early in the process and wasted no time selecting him No. 1 overall, signing him for a draft record $8.146 million bonus. The only surprise was that they announced Torkelson as a third baseman.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Torkelson’s power is enormous, but he’s far from an all-or-nothing slugger. A strong, physical righthanded hitter, Torkelson has plus bat speed and manages the strike zone with ease. His advanced barrel control and hand-eye coordination are complemented by exceptional timing. He hits all types of pitches, draws walks and makes balls disappear with his 80-grade power. In short, he projects to be an offensive force in the middle of a lineup. Torkelson has occasionally struggled against low breaking balls, but scouts don’t cite it as common enough to be labeled as a red flag. Even with that minor concern, evaluators project Torkelson to hit .280 with 40-plus homers on the high end and .260 with 30-plus home runs on the low end. Torkelson is a good athlete for his size, but despite being drafted as a third baseman, his long-term position is likely first base. He is an above-average defender there with an average arm, solid athleticism and footwork and fringe-average speed. Some evaluators believe he could play left field if necessary, though it would take time for him to learn the position.
  
  THE FUTURE: Torkelson joined the team at the alternate training site after signing and continued play during instructional league in Lakeland, Fla. Once regular-season play resumes, expect the Tigers to challenge Torkelson with an aggressive path to the big leagues. He draws frequent comparisons with Paul Konerko as a potential all-star and face of the franchise.

Draft Prospects

• Ranked #1 prospect in 2020 draft
  Undrafted after his four-year high school career in Northern California, Torkelson exploded onto the college baseball scene at Arizona State with one of the best freshman seasons ever. He led the nation with 25 home runs that year, breaking Barry Bonds' ASU freshman home run record. He was just as strong in his sophomore and junior seasons, but the early end to what is expected to be his final season left him three homers short of breaking Bob Horner’s ASU career record. Torkelson has terrific hitting ability with an advanced approach and plate discipline, plus bat speed, and plus-plus power. He crushes balls to all fields and showed an increased ability to pull pitches over the middle of the plate during his abbreviated junior season. At times he gets too much out on his front side and pulls off of pitches, so there are still some swing tweaks to be made. Even so, his power potential and hitting ability are that of a middle-of-the-order force. Torkelson an above-average defender at first base thanks to his impressive agility and good hands, as well as his strong work ethic to continue improving. Torkelson played some outfield with USA Baseball’s Collegiate National Team, where he ranked as the top prospect last summer. While he has below-average speed, he runs well underway and has improved his throwing technique. He could be at least adequate in left field, but most observers want him to stay at first base so he can focus on hitting. Torkelson may be the safest pick at the top of the draft thanks to his outstanding hitting ability and massive power potential. He draws offensive comparisons to elite mashers like Mets first baseman Pete Alonso and should rise quickly through the minors. If Torkelson does become the first overall pick, he would be the first college first baseman to ever be selected No. 1 overall.
• Ranked #436 prospect in 2017 draft
  Torkelson has been a prep jack of all trades, playing football, baseball and even a little basketball while both pitching and hitting for Casa Grande High. He's an athletic 6-foot-1, 205-pounder whom Arizona State is counting on as a potential middle-of-the-order bat in its recruiting class. Torkelson has some rawness to his game, especially defensively at third base, but has shown plus raw power, hitting seven home runs this spring. Scouts like his swing, and he's young for the class as he's not yet 18 at draft time.

Minor League Top Prospects

• 
  Ranked International League #5 prospect in 2021
  Torkelson played at three different levels in 2021, ending in Toledo alongside Riley Greene. Torkelson wasn’t overly productive in his first Triple-A foray, but all the indicators suggesting Torkelson possesses immense hitting upside remain intact. Torkelson has massive power potential and impressive strike-zone judgment. He has a complete package with the potential to hit .300 with 30-plus home runs at his peak. His defensive future also appeared to crystallize at Toledo, where he played strictly first base after spending about half his time at third base at High-A and Double-A. Evaluators were always skeptical of Torkelson’s ability to play third base, and Tigers manager A.J. Hinch revealed Torkelson’s long-term future in an early September interview with MLB Network Radio. “I mean, there’s no secret that the first baseman of the future is going to be Spencer Torkelson,” Hinch said. “He’s in Triple-A, hitting a homer about every other day and he’s opening eyes.”
• 
  Ranked Eastern League #2 prospect in 2021
  Selected first overall in 2020, Torkelson was never going to be long for any minor league stop this year. He played in 50 games for Erie after a mid-June promotion from High-A. He was sent to Triple-A Toledo two months later. Torkelson’s 80-grade raw power translated to the pro game to the tune of 14 homers and a .560 slugging percentage in 50 games for Erie. Long-time observers at Somerset’s TD Bank Ballpark could not ever recall a player hitting a ball completely over the batter’s eye in a game, as Torkelson did in early July. Torkelson split his time between first base and third base nearly evenly but committed to first at Triple-A, but it’s his bat that will make him an MLB regular sooner than later. One manager compared Torkelson to Paul Goldschmidt, noting the gap-to-gap approach, average running ability and pop to all fields.
• 
  Ranked Midwest League #1 prospect in 2021
  Drafted No. 1 overall in 2020, Torkelson stumbled through the early days of his debut assignment at West Michigan, batting 1-for-16 in his first four games. “You always knew he just needed time to get settled,” a scout said. “The pedigree was always there, but people forget how hard the jump can be to pro ball, especially right to High-A.” Torkelson is built for power. He expertly handles the strike zone with advanced barrel control and plus-plus raw power. Light footwork and confident throwing accuracy in the field make Torkelson a capable fit for either infield corner, but given the Tigers’ eventual need to replace Miguel Cabrera, it’s easy to see Torkelson eventually landing at first base. “You’d never know he struggled now,” the scout added. “He’s built like a big leaguer and now he’s hitting like one.”

Top 100 Rankings

• Ranked Baseball America's #5 prospect in 2022
• Ranked Baseball America's #5 prospect in 2021

• December, 2021 Scouting Report
  Track Record: Torkelson broke Barry Bonds’ freshman home run record at Arizona State and established himself early as the top prospect in the 2020 draft class. The Tigers drafted him first overall and signed him for $8.146 million, the largest signing bonus for any player since MLB implemented the draft pool system in 2012. Torkelson reported to the Tigers’ alternate training site after he signed and made his pro debut in 2021. He hit 30 home runs as he jumped three levels from High-A to Triple-A and was selected for the Futures Game in Denver. The Tigers sent Torkelson to the Arizona Fall League after the season, but his campaign was cut short by a sprained ankle.
  
  Scouting Report: With strength in both physical appearance and performance, Torkelson punishes baseballs to all fields with 80-grade raw power and hits jaw-dropping home runs that demoralize opposing pitchers. More than just an all-or-nothing slugger, Torkelson complements his power with a polished eye for the strike zone, excellent hand-eye coordination and a mature approach that make him a plus hitter. Torkelson played his entire college career at first base and, even though the Tigers announced him as a third baseman on draft day, first base is his present and future home. Torkelson is only a fringe-average runner, but his natural athleticism, average arm strength and steady footwork have him positioned as to be at least an average defender.
  
  The Future: After steamrolling his way through three affiliates, Torkelson has a chance to make the Tigers’ roster out of spring training. If he doesn’t, his debut should come shortly after.
• October, 2021 Scouting Report
  Drafted No. 1 overall in 2020, Torkelson stumbled through the early days of his debut assignment at West Michigan, batting 1-for-16 in his first four games. “You always knew he just needed time to get settled,” a scout said. “The pedigree was always there, but people forget how hard the jump can be to pro ball, especially right to High-A.” Torkelson is built for power. He expertly handles the strike zone with advanced barrel control and plus-plus raw power. Light footwork and confident throwing accuracy in the field make Torkelson a capable fit for either infield corner, but given the Tigers’ eventual need to replace Miguel Cabrera, it’s easy to see Torkelson eventually landing at first base. “You’d never know he struggled now,” the scout added. “He’s built like a big leaguer and now he’s hitting like one.”
• October, 2021 Scouting Report
  Selected first overall in 2020, Torkelson was never going to be long for any minor league stop this year. He played in 50 games for Erie after a mid-June promotion from High-A. He was sent to Triple-A Toledo two months later. Torkelson’s 80-grade raw power translated to the pro game to the tune of 14 homers and a .560 slugging percentage in 50 games for Erie. Long-time observers at Somerset’s TD Bank Ballpark could not ever recall a player hitting a ball completely over the batter’s eye in a game, as Torkelson did in early July. Torkelson split his time between first base and third base nearly evenly but committed to first at Triple-A, but it’s his bat that will make him an MLB regular sooner than later. One manager compared Torkelson to Paul Goldschmidt, noting the gap-to-gap approach, average running ability and pop to all fields.
• October, 2021 Scouting Report
  Torkelson played at three different levels in 2021, ending in Toledo alongside Riley Greene. Torkelson wasn’t overly productive in his first Triple-A foray, but all the indicators suggesting Torkelson possesses immense hitting upside remain intact. Torkelson has massive power potential and impressive strike-zone judgment. He has a complete package with the potential to hit .300 with 30-plus home runs at his peak. His defensive future also appeared to crystallize at Toledo, where he played strictly first base after spending about half his time at third base at High-A and Double-A. Evaluators were always skeptical of Torkelson’s ability to play third base, and Tigers manager A.J. Hinch revealed Torkelson’s long-term future in an early September interview with MLB Network Radio. “I mean, there’s no secret that the first baseman of the future is going to be Spencer Torkelson,” Hinch said. “He’s in Triple-A, hitting a homer about every other day and he’s opening eyes.”
• July, 2021 Scouting Report
  Hitting: 60. Power: 80. Running: 45. Fielding: 55. Arm: 50.
  
  TRACK RECORD: Torkelson was a jack-of-all trades at Casa Grande High in Petaluma, Calif., playing football and basketball in addition to baseball and spending time as both a pitcher and position player on the diamond. He was on the fringe of draft radars but went undrafted out of high school. As a freshman at Arizona State, Torkelson led the nation with 25 home runs and smashed Barry Bonds' school freshman home run record. He followed up by batting .351/.446/.707 with 23 home runs as a sophomore and entered his junior season on the verge of breaking the Sun Devils' career home run record and entering the national top 10. Torkelson drew 31 walks in 17 games in 2020 as opponents gave him the Bonds treatment and simply pitched around him, but he still managed to hit six home runs in limited action before the season was shut down because of the coronavirus pandemic. The Tigers decided he was their pick early in the process and wasted no time selecting him No. 1 overall, signing him for a draft record $8.146 million bonus. The only surprise was that they announced Torkelson as a third baseman.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Torkelson's power is enormous, but he's far from an all-or-nothing slugger. A strong, physical righthanded hitter, Torkelson has plus bat speed and manages the strike zone with ease. His advanced barrel control and hand-eye coordination are complemented by exceptional timing. He hits all types of pitches, draws walks and makes balls disappear with his 80-grade power. In short, he projects to be an offensive force in the middle of a lineup. Torkelson has occasionally struggled against low breaking balls, but scouts don't cite it as common enough to be labeled as a red flag. Even with that minor concern, evaluators project Torkelson to hit .280 with 40-plus homers on the high end and .260 with 30-plus home runs on the low end. Torkelson is a good athlete for his size, but despite being drafted as a third baseman, his long-term position is likely first base. He is an above-average defender there with an average arm, solid athleticism and footwork and fringe-average speed. Some evaluators believe he could play left field if necessary, though it would take time for him to learn the position.
  
  THE FUTURE: Torkelson joined the team at the alternate training site after signing and continued play during instructional league in Lakeland, Fla. Once regular-season play resumes, expect the Tigers to challenge Torkelson with an aggressive path to the big leagues. He draws frequent comparisons with Paul Konerko as a potential all-star and face of the franchise.
• March, 2021 Scouting Report
  Hitting: 60. Power: 80. Running: 45. Fielding: 55. Arm: 50.
  
  TRACK RECORD: Torkelson was a jack-of-all trades at Casa Grande High in Petaluma, Calif., playing football and basketball in addition to baseball and spending time as both a pitcher and position player on the diamond. He was on the fringe of draft radars but went undrafted out of high school. As a freshman at Arizona State, Torkelson led the nation with 25 home runs and smashed Barry Bonds’ school freshman home run record. He followed up by batting .351/.446/.707 with 23 home runs as a sophomore and entered his junior season on the verge of breaking the Sun Devils’ career home run record and entering the national top 10. Torkelson drew 31 walks in 17 games in 2020 as opponents gave him the Bonds treatment and simply pitched around him, but he still managed to hit six home runs in limited action before the season was shut down because of the coronavirus pandemic. The Tigers decided he was their pick early in the process and wasted no time selecting him No. 1 overall, signing him for a draft record $8.146 million bonus. The only surprise was that they announced Torkelson as a third baseman.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Torkelson’s power is enormous, but he’s far from an all-or-nothing slugger. A strong, physical righthanded hitter, Torkelson has plus bat speed and manages the strike zone with ease. His advanced barrel control and hand-eye coordination are complemented by exceptional timing. He hits all types of pitches, draws walks and makes balls disappear with his 80-grade power. In short, he projects to be an offensive force in the middle of a lineup. Torkelson has occasionally struggled against low breaking balls, but scouts don’t cite it as common enough to be labeled as a red flag. Even with that minor concern, evaluators project Torkelson to hit .280 with 40-plus homers on the high end and .260 with 30-plus home runs on the low end. Torkelson is a good athlete for his size, but despite being drafted as a third baseman, his long-term position is likely first base. He is an above-average defender there with an average arm, solid athleticism and footwork and fringe-average speed. Some evaluators believe he could play left field if necessary, though it would take time for him to learn the position.
  
  THE FUTURE: Torkelson joined the team at the alternate training site after signing and continued play during instructional league in Lakeland, Fla. Once regular-season play resumes, expect the Tigers to challenge Torkelson with an aggressive path to the big leagues. He draws frequent comparisons with Paul Konerko as a potential all-star and face of the franchise.
• December, 2020 Scouting Report
  Hitting: 60. Power: 80. Running: 45. Fielding: 55. Arm: 50.
  
  TRACK RECORD: Torkelson was a jack-of-all trades at Casa Grande High in Petaluma, Calif., playing football and basketball in addition to baseball and spending time as both a pitcher and position player on the diamond. He was on the fringe of draft radars but went undrafted out of high school. As a freshman at Arizona State, Torkelson led the nation with 25 home runs and smashed Barry Bonds’ school freshman home run record. He followed up by batting .351/.446/.707 with 23 home runs as a sophomore and entered his junior season on the verge of breaking the Sun Devils’ career home run record and entering the national top 10. Torkelson drew 31 walks in 17 games in 2020 as opponents gave him the Bonds treatment and simply pitched around him, but he still managed to hit six home runs in limited action before the season was shut down because of the coronavirus pandemic. The Tigers decided he was their pick early in the process and wasted no time selecting him No. 1 overall, signing him for a draft record $8.146 million bonus. The only surprise was that they announced Torkelson as a third baseman.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Torkelson’s power is enormous, but he’s far from an all-or-nothing slugger. A strong, physical righthanded hitter, Torkelson has plus bat speed and manages the strike zone with ease. His advanced barrel control and hand-eye coordination are complemented by exceptional timing. He hits all types of pitches, draws walks and makes balls disappear with his 80-grade power. In short, he projects to be an offensive force in the middle of a lineup. Torkelson has occasionally struggled against low breaking balls, but scouts don’t cite it as common enough to be labeled as a red flag. Even with that minor concern, evaluators project Torkelson to hit .280 with 40-plus homers on the high end and .260 with 30-plus home runs on the low end. Torkelson is a good athlete for his size, but despite being drafted as a third baseman, his long-term position is likely first base. He is an above-average defender there with an average arm, solid athleticism and footwork and fringe-average speed. Some evaluators believe he could play left field if necessary, though it would take time for him to learn the position.
  
  THE FUTURE: Torkelson joined the team at the alternate training site after signing and continued play during instructional league in Lakeland, Fla. Once regular-season play resumes, expect the Tigers to challenge Torkelson with an aggressive path to the big leagues. He draws frequent comparisons with Paul Konerko as a potential all-star and face of the franchise.
• December, 2019 Scouting Report
  Undrafted after his four-year high school career in Northern California, Torkelson exploded onto the college baseball scene at Arizona State with one of the best freshman seasons ever. He led the nation with 25 home runs that year, breaking Barry Bonds' ASU freshman home run record. He was just as strong in his sophomore and junior seasons, but the early end to what is expected to be his final season left him three homers short of breaking Bob Horner’s ASU career record. Torkelson has terrific hitting ability with an advanced approach and plate discipline, plus bat speed, and plus-plus power. He crushes balls to all fields and showed an increased ability to pull pitches over the middle of the plate during his abbreviated junior season. At times he gets too much out on his front side and pulls off of pitches, so there are still some swing tweaks to be made. Even so, his power potential and hitting ability are that of a middle-of-the-order force. Torkelson an above-average defender at first base thanks to his impressive agility and good hands, as well as his strong work ethic to continue improving. Torkelson played some outfield with USA Baseball’s Collegiate National Team, where he ranked as the top prospect last summer. While he has below-average speed, he runs well underway and has improved his throwing technique. He could be at least adequate in left field, but most observers want him to stay at first base so he can focus on hitting. Torkelson may be the safest pick at the top of the draft thanks to his outstanding hitting ability and massive power potential. He draws offensive comparisons to elite mashers like Mets first baseman Pete Alonso and should rise quickly through the minors. If Torkelson does become the first overall pick, he would be the first college first baseman to ever be selected No. 1 overall.