By Damon Knight, Tribune Correspondent
On Wednesday, the Detroit Tigers drafted first baseman Spencer Torkelson with the first overall pick. The 20-year-old is an All-American position player who has soft hands, can hit with power, and has elite plate discipline. He broke the freshman home run record held by Barry Bonds at Arizona State with 25. When asked about it, Torkelson said, “Honestly, it hasn’t hit me still,” he said. “People are like, ‘Oh my gosh, you broke Barry Bonds’ home run record as a freshman.’ And I’m like, ‘Yeah, I did, but it hasn’t clicked.’ I’m still waiting.”
The following season, Torkelson hit 23 home runs in a span of 57 games. However, Torkelson would only hit six his junior year after 17 games due to a shortened season caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. He would finish his college career for the Sun Devils with a batting average of .337 with 130 RBIs, 152 runs scored, 33 doubles, and 54 dingers.
As Torkelson’s career continues with Detroit, the Tigers will be looking to add his bat to the lineup when he is ready to make the jump to the big leagues. He will also be switching from 1st base to 3rd, where he initially played during his college career. Torkelson said, “It shows the amount of respect they have for me as an athlete,” a smiling Torkelson said in an interview during MLB Network’s broadcast. “I’ll take it and run with it. I like to label myself as a baseball player, and you give me a bat, a ball and a glove, and you know what? I’m just going to want to win.”
