Detroit Tigers make needed move with Spencer Torkelson

Spencer Torkelson was supposed to be the present and future for the Detroit Tigers. The present is now on hold.

Torkelson’s struggles have been many and notable during a disappointing season for the Tigers. Finally, on Sunday, they ran out of patience with the former top prospect, as he has been optioned down to Triple-A.

Detroit Tigers giving Spencer Torkelson badly needed reset

There is no question that this move was needed. In fact, it was probably needed weeks ago as Torkelson just has not found his footing in the majors. He had posted a disappointing .197/.282/.295 batting line in his 298 plate appearances, hitting just five homers and 11 doubles as his power potential had not manifested for Detroit.

There was reason to hope that he would eventually snap out of his malaise. Torkelson had a history of starting slowly at the upper levels of the minors before figuring things out. It was reasonable to expect the same to happen here.

Instead, he has continued to struggle. Torkelson has been consistently late during his time in the majors and needs to make an adjustment. Maybe that can happen at Toledo. At the same time, this move could allow him to get his confidence back, giving him a chance to be the player that the Tigers need him to become. If nothing else, he can clear his head and work on his approach in a much lower pressure environment.

Frankly, this is a move that should have been made weeks ago. Torkelson has had occasional bursts where he looks like a viable major league asset, but they have been few and far between. He needed to make that trek to Toledo when the season could have been salvaged. Instead, the Tigers are looking to get him on track so that they have something to build on for 2023.

The Detroit Tigers have finally sent Spencer Torkelson back to the Triple-A Toledo Mud Hens. It is a move that needed to be made weeks ago.