Is Time Running Out For This Former #1 Overall Draft Pick?

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In 2023, the former #1 overall pick clubbed 30 HRs in a breakout season. In 2024, he's looking more lost than ever. Let's try and figure out what's going on with Spencer Torkelson.
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Sources (in order):
Hitting Interview with Fangraphs: blogs.fangraph...
2022 Demotion, The Athletic: www.nytimes.co...
2023 Breakout, Fangraphs: blogs.fangraph...
'Barrel' Explanation, Dynasty Dugout: www.thedynasty...
Music (in order):
• Video
• Introspection - Mona W...
• Summertime Love - LAKE...
• Pokemon Platinum OST :...
• Soleanna New City - So...
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#mlb #tigers #jomboy

[@JollyOlive]

Spencer Torkelson, known 2022-year old

[@EvSop93]

LOL! Love the content bro. Just found it funny.

[@ethanniedorowski116]

Please don't do Henry Davis

[@cleganebowldog6626]

@2:22

[@komickaze85]

I noticed that, too. Funny stuff, man.

[@NDTexan]

Spencer Methuselah Torkelson. Professional old man

[@RileyJane7]

The Tigers inability to develop hitting prospects is something that needs to be studied. Since the turn of the century, only Bobby Higginson in 2000, Curtis Granderson in 2009 and Torkelson in 2023 have hit 30 homers in a Tigers uniform while also being a Tigers draft pick. Every other 30 homer hitter in that time frame for Detroit was a free agent or trade acquisition with almost all of them already being established hitters. Their pitching development has been great but as a Tigers fan, watching every hitting prospect we have either being a bust or they end up being far better elsewhere is so frustrating.

[@drivewithbishop4426]

Sounds like the Mariners

[@BigKeegDrives]

​@@drivewithbishop4426 Midwest Mariners indeed. Great Lakers if you will

[@cambusquaert9632]

Try being a giants fan. Guess the last guy to hit 30 with us

[@RileyJane7]

@cambusquaert9632 Mate the Giants had 3 World Series wins in 5 years just a decade ago with a league MVP that they drafted and developed, I think you've survived lmao

[@cambusquaert9632]

@@RileyJane7 don’t get me wrong, I wouldn’t give those back for anything, it would be nice to break the stigma of hitting in oracle tho

[@thatoneoshawott5826]

He’s 24. This is pretty much is late sophomore slump. He’s got time Edit: yea, I don’t know about that

[@305CardCollector]

Look at what Soto had accomplished by age 24. Torkelson is a MAJOR BUST

[@vibin7027]

@@305CardCollector Crazy to expect everyone to be Soto lol

[@305CardCollector]

@@vibin7027 Torkelson’s career WAR is -1.7. Crazy to call it a “sophomore slump” when he’s never had a good season

[@OhAnd]

I'm not saying he's not gonna be good (He will likely figure it out to some degree) but I'd say he is likely going to end up being a bust for what his expectations were. His good season so far only resulted in a 105 ops+ as a poor fielding first baseman which is not worthy of being a full-time player. He should be able to get back to that level but is he able to find the consistency to be deserving of being a starting first baseman? Hoping that he is able to find that

[@GeeEm1313]

*junior slump

[@sporer_]

as an everyday watcher of the Tigers, this is so good. the amount of times i scream SWINGGGG at Tork per night seems to multiply daily

[@jordannawrocki3362]

Or yelling c’mon man every time he does swing and it’s right through a fastball down the middle.

[@handsomemcwonderful]

If you sort 2020 draft class by WAR Tork is dead last

[@kyleOWillFixIt]

Since only about 3% of the 2020 draft class (if that) have touched a major league field that would still put him in the upper echelon of the class success wise.

[@BuccaneerBruce]

Still better than Asa Lacy who mailed it in very early.

[@CADClicker]

Well yeah, he's bottom 10% in the majors and a large portion of that draft haven't made it to the majors

[@peterskrobola8753]

Well he’s got a lot of playing time and plays brutal defense at 1st base.

[@davidott886]

I will say as a Tigers fan, I have confidence in Torkelson. He’s a really good guy, a incredibly hard worker, and a team leader. There’s a lot of negativity right now as a lot of Tigers fans are giving up on him and also hyper focusing on just him (a good majority of the team is slumping due to lack of aggression in the zone) however I refuse to give up on him. People seem to forget that he has just recently hit the full 2 seasons worth of games played. He missed a lot of time in the minors, and was thrown to the wolves in the Majors. I have faith, even though a lot of other fans don’t. My bigger issue with the tigers is how incredibly conservative Scott Harris is with calling up prospects, especially when you see Zach MicKinstry and Jake Rogers getting major league AB’s while J-hen and Dillon Dingler dominate AAA. All in all, I have faith in the person, and by proxy the ball player, and I refuse to give up on a 24 year old who’s had a 31 homer season

[@jordannawrocki3362]

I think a lot of the negativity comes out of frustration knowing and seeing what is and can be in him as a player. We watch players like McKinstry and just that’s who he is. Torkelson has such a high, high ceiling (we’ve seen it), but we are watching the floor. It is nothing against him personally, it’s more aggravated because we are hoping for the guy to be great and we know he can be.

[@davidott886]

@@jordannawrocki3362 I know, I just wish so many people wouldn’t be so incredibly negative and vocal. I know he’s struggling, But I’ve never been one to call for people to be cut, or if I do I will delete the comment once I’ve calmed down

[@Dameworth]

Finally, a Torkelson video. I feel like every at bat I see of him he's popping out or making weak contact. He's so close yet so far right now. I think it will click eventually. 30 home runs last year showed that he has the potential.

[@Waffle77362]

Toby Keith mentioned in a Happy Grape video? What a day

[@davidstachurski8755]

Can we get a modern tigers trade history, its crazy

[@Karmy.]

I'd rather not have to remember any of those trades

[@gavinwatson9677]

@@Karmy.same

[@jimbobcooter9874]

​@@Karmy. Agreed

[@nathancorbin210]

It will just cause more suffering

[@wm_9640]

Thanks for the reminder 😵‍💫

[@chrislewis5069]

Don't give up on torkelson. He's a beast

[@henryrivera3397]

Your comedy in this video was incredible! Please keep it letting coming out

[@StewieGriffin111]

Thanks jolly you got him sent to AAA

[@joehaas2598]

He was drafted by the tigers who are notorious for horrendous position player development. No one wants to admit it but players careers change drastically based on who drafts you. Tork would be an all star if drafted by a Houston/Atlanta/Philadelphia/etc.

[@nicholastricarico2957]

He's going to get traded to Houston in 2027 and become an All-Star that year, isn't he?

[@tylerparker93]

No he wouldn't. Why can Colt Keith, Kerry Carpenter, and Riley Greene develop just fine? Don't make excuses.

[@jethrojacinto2798]

I'm rooting for Tork, I hope he finds a way to breakout sooner rather than later.

[@komickaze85]

Funny how I'm watching the Red Sox/Tigers game while I watch this. I'm a Sox fan, but I have nothing against the Tigers since 2013 when we faced them in the ALCS and they were so good, but we beat them. Hopefully Spencer figures it out...again. Great video, Jolly!

[@basebatter94]

Saturdays are good days because we get a new Jolly video.

[@williamford9564]

It is Tuesday, 3 days later, and yesterday the Tigers sent him down to the minors to, according to A J Hinch, to make adjustments to his swing and apparently also to improve his defense at first base.

[@jacobmckevitt6735]

Love Jolly, he uses Pokemon music in his vids. Pokemon + Baseball is the best!

[@WhiteGuyNextDoor]

This video made me happy, thank you Jolly

[@Xansby]

5:40 I love it😂

[@astroamc]

Wassup, Jolly? Love the content, bro bro.

[@pasketti2404]

i love when boisterous banana uploads

[@DieHarder4ever]

Did anyone catch “Sid” Judge?

[@brycewilson1909]

thanks for the breakdown, good stuff! fingers crossed Tork will figure it out

[@evandouglas5414]

Maybe your best vid to date Jolly! Love it

[@jamesd.6979]

I'm still cautiously optimistic with Tork.. I think it's 100% mental with him. I think he'll figure things out and we'll see him stick for good next year.

[@jtag5432]

It's confidence. His coaches have a combined 0 MLB at bats, and one never even played minor league baseball.

[@devlnbowden]

Nate Pearson is the player I’m hoping can turn it around, just want him to be a good reliever and still hope he can be a big league starter.

[@ethank-l4930]

what was the main issue with him as a starter besides injuries etc

[@devlnbowden]

@@ethank-l4930 to be honest injuries dropped his name on the depth chart, eventually they wanted to get him through a season in the bullpen, unfortunately he lacks consistency and command, person I feel he tries to throw to many sliders, which I don’t get, when he throws upper 90s. I wish I could see him throw more fastballs and try to work his secondary pitches of that.

[@chowdergirl8094]

the super mario odyssey music is so good here lol

[@Ian00003]

13:10 pulling fly balls is one of the most effective way to hit more home runs

[@eddie-nk4jk]

I can tell you what it is, just because you dont know doesnt mean nobody does. Tork cant hit 95 without guessing 95. He had a 2 month stretch last year where he guessed right alot, but even during that time he still struck out alot and didnt walk alot. Now at Toledo hes trying different swings and setups so hes struggling. He could use his old way of hitting at Toledo now and do well there but hes trying to find a swing that works in MLB but may not have the batspeed for MLB in which case hes screwed and will go to Japan. Tork has elite ability to track pitch and pick up rekease , spin and pitch type but is unable to use it due to this lack of bat speed- thus needing to guess. The key will be for a hitting coach to find a way to increase his batspeed to unlock his game , otherwise he gone.

[@canaanlocke4375]

He’s got one of my favorite swings hope he turns it around

[@TOMahwk707]

If he keeps it up, how about a vid on David Fry

[@rayanbfeverr]

No ! Leave Fry alone 😂

[@doesanyonehavegum327]

As an ASU fan, I wanted my Dodgers to make a deal to acquire him after Justin Turner. I really hope you can figure it out in AAA and make his way back up.

[@ammort9924]

What a video. Explains my pain to a T

[@asdfaeou]

I was looking away from the screen during the God Bless America gag, and thought "man, has he just been hunting for a way to use that clip? Then I rewound and got my answer.

[@kajr8580]

Someone get this video in Torkelson’s inbox asap. He might appreciate the in depth analysis.

[@Brhoward31]

My pro career ended the same way, here si the fix. He needs to be comfortable striking out. I know it's weird but when you have been a Pujols-style player, it's tough to get to become Adam Dunn.

[@nathancorbin210]

As a Tigers fan I think I can speak on this. I think whats most annoying about Tork is he is just incapable of hitting the mistake pitches. His hips go too early which makes him pull everything. He had a good like week stretch where his timing was good, but now its back to bad. Now defense is atrocious but little underrated thing with him hes elite at scooping at first. Which is helpful when your infield is a converted 3rd basemen at second, a plethora of Gods finest utility players at third, and Javier Baez at short…

[@YankeesFan0620]

2 Days post video drop: Spencer Torkelson optioned to Triple A

[@ac-zn9lu]

It's never too late. Jurickson Profar is actively proving this right now.

[@wockcup38]

he’s in his own head to much. The power and talent is still there us tiger fans see it. It’s just all mental for tork he’s gotta get outta his head

[@patricknoonan3610]

Why not to focus on, Homer's as a primary hit but, keep the ball down and, or find gaps in the infield and, out field. Home runs are a mistake pitch pro-level hitters make, pitcher pay for.

[@patricknoonan3610]

With the pitcher aspest: home runs are mistakes they make with, not locating or a fast but, hitable fast ball down the middle.

[@AnimeProtagonistFun]

Dude. U r awesome at your job. You look good.

[@248624862486100]

Good timing on this one, go see Tork rake in Toledo!

[@phillipstankey8881]

Hard to re-work your swing during the season...if he actually wants to change his mechanics and approach (and there's talk that he doesn't) it's going to have to happen ion the off season

[@croke835]

Most relievers do throw 95+, but Ryan Yarborough does still exist (somehow)

[@PopOutPaulie]

If you remember back in 2022 there was so much hype between him and Jrod and most Baseball people were picking Tork to win the AL ROY. They were literally saying this dude is one of the best all around hitters that we seen in a long time. So for him to be one of the worst players in 2022 was a shock. I cant lie after last year i personally thought this was gonna be the season he really breaks out where he hit 40-50 hrs. That clearly doesn't look like its gonna happen. Hopefully he finds it cause dude definitely has the talent.

[@wilbert3842]

Something not mentioned is AJ Hinch constantly tinkering with the line up. One game Tork bats 3rd, the next 7th, some games 2 ABs some the whole game. Comerica Park dimensions + Hinch over analyzing cyber metrics are hurting the tigers offense including Tork

[@nolankane6704]

My sweet Torkapatamous prince, he will figure things out soon

[@MichaelPCaruana]

Emotionally, I've given up on him. He is sort of symbolic of the team in a way, he will give you just enough to have some hope that he can turn it around then follow that up with a a week long slump. Logically, he's 24, 30 home runs simply cannot be a fluke (right?) And there is still 4 months of the season to go. But the more time he spends taking pitches he should swing and destroying his average and on base, the less time he has to bring those numbers up. I'm convinced that a combination of 2020 having no season and 2022 disaster rookie season completely destroyed his development. If he succeeds, it will not be with the tigers

[@braden_clancy11]

tork will be fine, the dudes not even 24 yet. he’s gonna figure it out like all hitters do

[@RupertMumphrey]

Not all hitters figure it out.

[@braden_clancy11]

@@RupertMumphrey hitters in the big leagues do. that’s what they do

[@RupertMumphrey]

@@braden_clancy11 Then why do some of them perform badly? Why don’t they just “figure it out” and get better?

[@mikea5205]

8 million sign on bonus....yeah he's set for life either way.

[@tyler3876]

24, still got time. Next year is make or break though

[@drewlally2324]

He hit a lot of Tork 💣s at ASU that’s for sure

[@TheTEN24]

That difference is his spray chart is definitely alarming

[@Gravy_Jones22]

Video on Julio Franco please

[@ryanstevens11]

Right on cue he got optioned today, this aged well

[@cliffordangus]

I can't wait for you to be sponsored by morton's salt in next month's videos

[@rillerTv]

My first baseman in fantasy baseball

[@nicholastricarico2957]

I drafted him. Released him a month later, because I just didn't have the patience. So far, I haven't been proven wrong.

[@rillerTv]

@@nicholastricarico2957 he had a slow start last season and turned in on after the all star break dont be surprised if he still hits 25 home runs

[@wyattbarnes9641]

@@rillerTv Sent down, time to drop him

[@rillerTv]

@@wyattbarnes9641 ik im pissed

[@Terryhendog]

Bust, as a hitter, and defense

[@cebolla1449]

HAPPY GRAPE

[@roygoodhand1301]

#DetroitVersusEverybody, Urinating Tree 3.0, #DetroitVersusEverybody. Look at our schedule, especially in July. Between July 1 and August 4, we have TWENTY games in our division. For us, it's still early. I call it Do-Or-Die July because of that. IF we're in the same boat August 5, THEN you can talk. Leave Tork alone! Go after Casey Mize instead: he's letting us down! Oh, and Tarik Skubal is AWESOME.

[@supermario_49]

I saw the title and I thought it would be about Mickey Moniak

[@bgmich9098]

You're talking bout time running out for Torkelson who is only in his third year and not Casey Mize? Come on bro

[@springsteendisciple3543]

The Tigers Coaching with regard to hitting is abysmal !

[@matthewbailey5470]

thank you for not going near andrew vaughn

[@hungrypandastudios6213]

You could see it from the start. Cabrera definitely didn't help either

[@deeg4041]

Man i just want him to do well were both from the same town :(

[@FrowningFathers]

Detroit is where good players go to die. It kills their drive/talent. Grew up in Detroit. Die hard fan my whole life. At age 38 I gave up and started following the Reds. At least the Reds players do something even if they don’t win it all

[@themorningbeerpodcast1250]

Torkelson for Brett Baty change of scenery trade if Pete Alonso walks for the Mets?

[@swisscheese6456]

A year from now Henry Davis will have this made for him☹️

[@BostonBori92]

The situations aren't really the same Davis was 1st overall yes but hes not expected to be a foundational piece considering who the Pirates have one could argue Endy Rodriguez is better Tork was drafted and expected to be this bedrock for Detroit and while he showed flashes last year it doesn't seem like he's progressed as the Tigers wanted him too

[@finngoldberg9911]

Day 8 asking for Keston Hiura Linsanity run

[@kitodelcid1588]

Facts

[@dace938]

Pearl Vision might help

[@CJets901]

Tigers def watched this earlier today

[@jimbobcooter9874]

As a tigers fan I have a hard time with this. He feels like a bust. But then he hit like 30 HR in the last half of last season. So he showed he had it. Now he's doing terrible again. Idk man

[@torkelson4289]

Class video.

[@andrewbloom7694]

0:30 Holy crap what happened to Benintendi??

[@MrBlazemaster525]

The curse of the White Sux

[@IrishPlante]

I will now think that Aaron Judge was horrible to his toys as a child.

[@tjizzle8155]

Yes

[@MichaelHawkins-yd6ge]

I think torkelson is struggling this year because he was by far my most drafted player on underdog before season started.

[@hockeycardcollecters]

I really think the tigers drafted 2 busts with tork and mize

[@andrewgelsinger8177]

unless he stops whiffing at 50% of secondaries, it ain't happening for tork.

[@w_manentertainment5541]

And he’s optioned literally the next day after this video is posted

[@ilovekatescott8057]

Damn

[@JawaPenguin16]

Tigers fans are desensitized to this kinda stuff. We just know if he was drafted by the Dodgers or Braves he'd be an all star by now. Sigh. Hoping for the best!

[@saulgoodmans]

anddddd they sent him down

[@jrrushing7049]

After watching this I’m gonna do a Tigers Franchise now and make sure Torkelson is built the way he deserves by hell or high water

[@FrankBeingFrank]

Bro he’s definitely in his own head, he’s not ready to hit and he’s more then likely not seeing the ball correctly at all, probably guessing at what’s coming and if he guesses wrong he’s not swinging until he has to and by then he’s just playing really crappy defense with his bat. I mean how many power hitting mlb batters take two 93mph middle of the zone belt high meatballs in a row? The answer is not many if any How far do you think Bonds would have hit those two fastballs? Today not in his prime I mean today how far would bonds of hit those fastballs ?? Kayakers with nets would of been fighting because They would of easily been floating in McCovey Cove I haven’t played in years and those pitches had me wanting an at bat lol

[@PoweroftheP00f]

Do you ever have a favorite player on your MLB The Show franchise that is struggling in real life and being lambasted by fans? Anyway, my sympathies to Spencer Torkelson...and Avisail Garcia while I'm at it.

[@ryanstaiger1712]

I fear he’s Jarred Kelenic where he overthinks everything and gets into his head.

[@TyphoonTTD]

being a tigers fan is hard.

[@bobbiwasabi1989]

Spenny hits better in the summer heat.

[@FakeMetroBoomin]

As tork was coming up him and Riley Greene were like a package deal even then Greene seemed way better than him and he was

[@kyledunlap1593]

Is that Pokémon music I heard?

[@ninjasuperman9538]

Jolly the Morton Merchant

[@nutterbutter101]

They also have Casey mize who i know injuries are his biggest issue but still for a #1 overall pick he hasn’t been that great

[@jrod1287]

Literally every time he comes up I'm assuming he is going to pop out.

[@swalczyk]

Amused apricot Chuffed cherry Pleasant plum

[@yesnooo9029]

tork definitely has more gas in the tank, just not in detroit.

[@hockeyfan39]

I'll take him in Miami if Detroit wants to trade him