Detroit Tigers’ Spencer Torkelson digests home run after crushing a fastball

Detroit Free Press

Evan Petzold
 
| Detroit Free Press

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LAKELAND, Fla. — Spencer Torkelson‘s two-strike approach is simple: wait for the fastball away, try to drive it over the second baseman’s head. But the No. 1 overall pick in the 2020 draft to the Detroit Tigers is wise enough to make an adjustment and react quickly.

The 21-year-old got an inside fastball from Toronto Blue Jays starter Luis Quinones in the first inning Monday at Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium. Facing a 2-2 count, Torkelson reacted by turning on the pitch.

The launch angle was 39 degrees. The exit velocity was 104 mph. The ball went over the left field fence for a 375-foot two-run homer in the instructional league matchup with the Blue Jays. It was Torkelson’s first in-game home run (against an actual opponent) since March 3 for Arizona State.

More importantly, the blast was Torkelson’s first as a Tiger.

“Obviously, got it on the barrel and it went out,” Torkelson said Monday. “But it also helps to have Riley (Greene) on first base. He has some speed, and you got to think the pitcher doesn’t want to throw a curveball because he could be stealing. That’s just a free bag for Riley. So, it gives you more confidence that he’s going to throw a heater.”

For subscribers: Detroit Tigers’ prospects at instructional league: Spencer Torkelson crushes 2-run bomb

A special moment? No doubt.

An even more encouraging answer? Definitely. 

For subscribers: Why Riley Greene might be the best Detroit Tigers prospect of all

He crushed 54 of these “Tork bombs,” as some fans liked to call them, for Arizona State in 129 games across two-plus seasons. He had a .337 batting average in college, with 33 doubles.

Now he’s trying to help the Tigers march out of a rebuild with him and Greene leading the offense. Both are in instructional league camp through Nov. 8 to refine what they learned in summer camp in July and at the alternate training site in August and September.

“I was getting sick of facing Tigers,” Torkelson said. “I wanted to put the hurting on someone else. It’s kind of weird, actually. It’s been a while since I’ve seen another team in the other dugout. It feels more real, and I really enjoy it.”

For subscribers: What Spencer Torkelson showed in Detroit Tigers instructional league game

Torkelson’s homer came after he belted a double Friday and a line-drive single Saturday. On Wednesday, he nearly hit one out to dead center.

He’s also battling deep into counts and drawing walks. 

“I feel great at the plate,” Torkelson said. “My swing feels good. I feel balanced, and it’s like an aggressive, selective approach. I’m thinking that I’m going to swing until my eyes tell me not to. That’s the way I’ve always been.”

For subscribers: Where Detroit Tigers’ top prospects stand entering instructional league: ‘As advertised’

Evan Petzold is a sports reporting intern at the Detroit Free Press. Contact him at epetzold@freepress.com or follow him on Twitter @EvanPetzold.

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