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MLB Draft: Who is Spencer Torkelson and why is he going No. 1

By Matt Graves

LAKELAND, FL - FEBRUARY 28: A Detroit Tigers equipment bag sits on the field prior to the Spring Training game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium on February 28, 2020 in Lakeland, Florida. The Blue Jays defeated the Tigers 5-4. (Photo by Mark Cunningham/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
LAKELAND, FL - FEBRUARY 28: A Detroit Tigers equipment bag sits on the field prior to the Spring Training game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium on February 28, 2020 in Lakeland, Florida. The Blue Jays defeated the Tigers 5-4. (Photo by Mark Cunningham/MLB Photos via Getty Images) /
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Spencer Torkelson is likely to be the No. 1 pick in the MLB Draft, and he’s a future star for Detroit. 

With MLB‘s shortened five-round draft around the corner, potential picks are becoming apparent. All eyes are on one particular prospect, the first baseman from Arizona State University, Spencer Torkelson.

No college first baseman has been selected first overall since the draft started in 1965. However, that could all change on Wednesday night. The Detroit Tigers hold the first overall pick of the 2020 MLB Draft, and based on some mock drafts, it appears that Spencer Torkelson will likely go No.1.

Baseball America ranked Torkelson the No.1 college prospect in this year’s draft. Senior Baseball Writer for The Athletic (subscription required), Keith Law, projected Torkelson to go first in his latest mock draft. ESPN’s Kiley McDaniel gave the Detroit Tigers an 85% chance to draft the first baseman.

Who is Spencer Torkelson and why should MLB fans learn his name?

Torkelson isn’t just a first baseman; this is a baseball player who has the tools to become an elite hitter at the big league level.

His raw talent goes back to his high school days, where he was a three-sport athlete while attending Casa Grande High School. Playing basketball, baseball, and football, the Petaluma, California native hit .430 with 11 home runs and 99 RBI.

In November 2016, Torkelson signed a Letter of Intent to play for Arizona State University. Committing as a third baseman, he made an immediate impact at the NCAA level. His move to the college level was another step in his progression in a bright baseball career.

As a freshman, 6-foot-1, 205-pound right-handed hitter hit 25 home runs with the Sun Devils. That was good enough for Torkelson to set a PAC-12 record for home runs by a freshman. But that’s not all, Torkelson also broke Barry Bonds school record for home runs by a freshman.

Writers note: Torkelson said it was Bonds that got him interested in Arizona State!

Torkelson added more accolades to his growing resume. He was named the Collegiate Baseball Newspaper Freshman of the Year, National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association National Freshman of the Year, and Pac-12 Baseball Freshman of the Year.

He joined Bob Horner as the only player at Arizona State to hit 20 home runs in consecutive seasons. Torkelson was off to a great start in his junior year, hitting .340 with six home runs until COVID-19 ended the seasons. His 53 career home runs were three shy of an Arizona State career record.

In three seasons at Arizona State, Torkelson’s accumulated 54 home runs and 130 RBI. slash line was .337/.463/.729/1.192.

https://twitter.com/TheSunDevils/status/988175820974735360

Torkelson finds himself in a unique spot like no other player has before. The only other first baseman who was selected first overall was Adrián González by the Flordia Marlins in 2000. The difference between Torkelson and Gonzalez is no college first baseman, and no right-handed first baseman has gone first overall in the draft, ever.

Torkelson has incredible bat control and patience to unleash his raw power. His combination of bat speed and strength in his swing possesses the offensive skills needed to be a middle-of-the-order hitter. He’s athletic enough that he’s played left field, though some scouts believe he’ll be at first base for a long time.

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The most straightforward comparison to make of Torkelson as a right-right first baseman is Pete Alonso of the New York Mets. Offensively, his power is similar to former AL Rookie of the Year Aaron Judge. It’s unlikely that he’ll strike out as much as Judge as Torkelson has an extraordinary offensive upside similar to Alonso’s.

What the Tigers see in Torkelson is a franchise-caliber hitter and a power bat they desperately need. Hopefully, if their long rebuild makes progress, Detroit could be back in October baseball again someday at Comerica Park. Torkelson’s career numbers are enough convincing for the Tigers to take him with the first selection.

With the amount of pitching prospects Detroit has on the way, this pick makes sense. If the Tigers do select the Arizona State star, another passage in baseball history will be written.

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