Tigers make depressing roster move heading into All-Star break

The Detroit Tigers announced that they are demoting Spencer Torkelson to Triple-A.

In a move that was largely necessary but depressing for Detroit and baseball fans in general, the Detroit Tigers announced earlier today that they are sending down uber-prospect Spencer Torkelson to Triple-A Toledo.

It has been yet another tough season to swallow for Tigers fans, as their hometown team is just 37-55, 12.5 GB of the first-place Twins and 12.0 GB of an AL Wild Card spot. Their run differential sits at -112, a mark that puts them near the bottom of the majors in front of only the Athletics, Nationals, Pirates and Reds.

Torkelson’s struggles have been just one part of the team’s issues in 2022. The Tigers have hit the least amount of home runs in the majors (53), driven in the least amount of runs (275), and are second worst in the bigs in OPS+ with a 79.

The pitching staff has been a little bit better than the offense as they are near the middle of the pack with a staff ERA at 4.15 and have allowed just 90 home runs on the year, a stat that they are one of the best in the majors in.

Tigers: Top prospect Spencer Torkelson demoted to Triple-A Toledo

Torkelson, 22, had minimal contributions to this Tigers squad before his being sent down. In 83 games, “Tork” managed just 16 extra-base hits (11 doubles, five home runs), 21 RBI, a .197 batting average and an OPS+ of just 68.

In years past, Torkelson had been somewhat strikeout prone but never like he has been this year. In 298 plate appearances, he has struck out in 25.5% of his at-bats and has walked in just 9.7% of them, a big difference from the 14% walk rate and 20% strikeout rate he had shown in the minors.

This round in the minor leagues will hopefully see the young top prospect make some mechanical adjustments and offensive turnaround. Since this Tigers squad is performing so poorly this year, a rejuvenated Torkelson would be a massive addition to the big league club down the stretch, even if a postseason run is nearly an impossibility at this point.