Height
6'1"
Weight
220 lbs
Age
26
College
Arizona State
Draft
2020, Rd 1, #1
Experience
4 yrs
Bats/Throws
R/R
Fan Verdict
Grade this player:
Career StatsC
| Year | Team | GP | AVG | HR | RBI | OPS | SB | H |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Career |  | 528 | 0.22577265 | 80 | 240 | 0.7193835 | 5 | 431 |
Current Contract
Length
1 year
Total Value
$4.1M
Guaranteed
$2.4M
AAV
$4.1M/yr
Contract Value Index (CVI)
Spencer Torkelson's one-year, $4.1M deal with Detroit earns a solid B- CVI, reflecting a reasonable gamble on a former top prospect still searching for consistency. The Tigers are paying above-average money for what has been serviceable starter production from their 2020 first overall pick, but the short-term commitment makes perfect sense given Torkelson's obvious talent and Detroit's competitive timeline. At first base, where offensive expectations run high, Torkelson's power flashes have shown he can impact games when locked in, though his strikeout issues and inconsistent contact quality keep him from reaching that franchise-caliber ceiling scouts once envisioned. For a Tigers organization balancing patience with their rebuild timeline, this contract structure allows them to retain a player with legitimate upside without handcuffing their payroll flexibility. The $4.1M AAV sits in that sweet spot where Detroit isn't overpaying for past performance while still investing enough to signal confidence in Torkelson's development trajectory.
Performance Analysis
Spencer Torkelson grades as an All-Star caliber performer among MLB first basemen, earning a B+ Performance grade. He is hitting with a 0.227 batting average and a 0.722 OPS (near the league average of .720) this season. With 80 home runs and 237 RBI through 516 games (a 25-HR, 74-RBI pace over a full season), he brings above-average power to the lineup. As a player entering his prime window at 26, Spencer is a key contributor for the Tigers. A 516-game sample provides high confidence in this grade.
Recent Games
| Date | OPP | Result | AB | H | R | HR | RBI | BB | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fri, 4/10 | vs MIA | W 2-0 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Wed, 4/8 | @ MIN | L 6-8 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
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