Are Detroit Tigers talking about Spencer Torkelson to Triple-A Toledo? Here's what A.J. Hinch says
CLEVELAND — No, the Detroit Tigers aren't talking about sending struggling first baseman Spencer Torkelson to Triple-A Toledo.
It's too soon for those conversations.
The Tigers optioned rookie center fielder Parker Meadows to Triple-A Toledo before Tuesday's game against the Cleveland Guardians, but Meadows isn't the only everyday player struggling. Torkelson, who blasted 31 home runs last year in his second MLB season, is hitting .217 with no home runs, 11 walks and 33 strikeouts across 33 games, while producing minus-5 defensive runs saved at first base.
"We haven't talked about it because we really want Tork to figure it out here," manager A.J. Hinch said. "He'll show flashes of it. He's got a little longer track record. He's going to get the opportunity to work himself through it. I know that's the easiest solution for a lot of people, but I don't think we're a better team, and we don't think we're a better team, considering that right now. So no, we haven't."
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The problem for Torkelson is that he's not on time for fastballs, just like Meadows.
Torkelson, 24, is hitting just .188 — with a .187 expected batting average — against fastballs this season, after hitting .270 — with a .296 xBA — against fastballs in his breakthrough campaign last season. He isn't swinging and missing at heaters, but his quality of contact has been poor as a result of his timing issues.
The 2023 Silver Slugger finalist remains in search of his first homer in the 2024 calendar year, after also going without during this year's spring training.
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Entering Tuesday's game, Torkelson had hit .194 (35-for-180) with zero home runs, 16 walks and 53 strikeouts across 52 games in spring training and the regular season, spanning 200 plate appearances.
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Torkelson — the 2020 No. 1 overall draft pick — ranks in the 33rd percentile with an 87.9 mph average exit velocity this season, down significantly from his 87th-percentile mark, at 91.8 mph, last season. His hard-hit rate has plummeted as well, from 50.9% (in the 94th percentile) last season to 37.1% (in the 39th percentile) this season.
In his MLB career, Torkelson has accrued 1,231 plate appearances over 302 games. He has a .221 batting average with a .300 on-base percentage and a .687 OPS.
Internally, the Tigers aren't talking about Torkelson to Toledo.
Not yet, at least.
"We go case by case whenever things are going to happen," Hinch said, referencing Meadows, Torkelson and others, "and one doesn't always lead to the other, but we'll continue to do the work and try to get more out of him."
Contact Evan Petzold at epetzold@freepress.com or follow him @EvanPetzold.
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This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Spencer Torkelson to Triple-A Toledo? Here's what Detroit Tigers say
