DETROIT -- The Tigers’ Spring Training experiment with Spencer Torkelson in the outfield didn’t result in the same kind of revelation they had with Javier Báez. But while Torkelson didn’t become an All-Star outfielder, the tinkering might have indirectly made him a better baserunner. It’s not that he became any faster roaming the outfield during that brief stint at Joker Marchant Stadium. But looking back, by charging a ball and executing a throw, he became more aware of what it’s like to challenge an outfielder on the basepaths. “The two days I was in the outfield in Spring Training,” Torkelson said, “I realized that it’s not as easy as it looks to get the ball [while] moving, get the ball on a line -- on the money -- which is what it takes. It was a little bit of perspective.” Six months later, he’s one of the symbols of the Tigers’ pedal-to-the-metal baserunning that is emerging again just in time for the stretch run into the playoffs. Detroit doesn’t have a garage full of speedsters, but its average runner’s willingness to challenge outfielders to make an above-average play to get them is again becoming a big part of the club's offense, much to the dugout’s delight. |
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“That’s who we are,” manager A.J. Hinch said. “We don’t really care what your name is. You’re expected to do that.” That mindset was in play Monday when Torkelson saw Andy Ibáñez’s fifth-inning blooper heading into shallow right field and in front of Juan Soto. In the past, testing Soto’s arm might have been a riskier path; the fielding value created from his arm rated in the 91st percentile among MLB outfielders last year, according to Statcast. It’s a different risk assessment these days, but there was an equally important read by Torkelson that went beyond the scouting report. “I read [the ball] pretty shallow, and I saw that Juan didn’t pick it up very well,” Torkelson said. “I kind of just sent it. I was like, ‘I don’t think he’s catching this,’ so I just took off.” It was the right read. Soto unleashed an 85.9 mph throw that ranked among his top-15 throws of the season by arm strength, according to Statcast. But Torkelson’s conviction to go from the outset allowed him to slide in just ahead of the tag. By getting to third, he put himself in position to score the tying run two pitches later on Mets reliever Ryne Stanek’s wild pitch to the backstop. |
The Tigers lost the game, but their mentality won out again. Give Torkelson credit where it’s due: His top sprint speed of 28.1 feet per second on that play was well above the MLB average of 27.0, let alone the average for a big first baseman. It was also one of Torkelson’s fastest baserunning sprint speeds this season, topped only by his 28.2 ft./sec dash down the first-base line to beat out a potential double-play grounder on July 30 against the Diamondbacks. Still, Hinch added, “The read by far is the best part of that. Tork’s an underrated runner in general. He’s a big dirt-ball guy. He does sell out to go first to third. … If he had been barely out, that’s still a great play, because he is pushing aggressiveness the way that we play.” It’s a source of pride with Torkelson, who has successfully gone first to third 14 times in 27 chances, according to Baseball Reference, by far the best rate of his career. “I don’t steal a lot of bases,” Torkelson said, “so I prioritize dirt-ball reads, first-to-thirds, knowing what I can be good at. I’m not going to be stealing 30 bags a year, so what can I get better at? First to third is one of them. Dirt-ball reads is one of them.” Said Hinch: “He’s always aware of where the outfielders are. He’s always aware of the situation. His instincts are really plus. Don’t let the big size fool you.” |
MLB MORNING LINEUP PODCAST |
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Triple-A Toledo: The Mud Hens enter September at 35-22 for the second half, topping the International League’s West Division and sitting four games back of a playoff spot. They won three straight to salvage a series split against St. Paul, the Twins’ top affiliate. Catcher Eduardo Valencia batted 6-for-15 with a double home run, four RBIs and three runs scored, and he hit .375 with a 1.173 OPS in August for the Mud Hens. Double-A Erie: The SeaWolves swept a six-game series at New Hampshire against the Blue Jays-affiliated Fisher Cats to move over .500 for the second half at 30-27. Top prospect Kevin McGonigle bookended the series with two-run homers, including a go-ahead drive in the 11th inning of last Tuesday’s series opener as part of a seven-RBI series. Garrett Burhenn struck out 10 batters over 6 2/3 innings of three-hit, two-run ball on Saturday to improve to 12-3 for the season. High-A West Michigan: The Whitecaps, having already clinched a berth in the Midwest League’s postseason by winning the East Division’s first-half title, clinched a second-half division title as well by splitting a six-game series at the Dodgers-affiliated Great Lakes Loons. They close out the regular season with a six-game homestand against Fort Wayne beginning Tuesday night. Austin Murr had four hits, six walks and four runs scored over the series, including a hurdle over the catcher for the go-ahead run last Tuesday. Single-A Lakeland: The Flying Tigers close out the regular season at home with six games against Jupiter, the Cardinals’ affiliate, which begin Tuesday night before their Florida State League Division Series opens next week. No. 24 prospect Nick Dumesnil went hitless last week but drew eight walks, stole three bases and scored four runs. No. 29 prospect Kelvis Salcedo tossed five scoreless innings with seven strikeouts in a no-decision Sunday. |
EL MAGO T-SHIRT GIVEAWAY SATURDAY |
Just a couple of Saturday giveaways left as the regular season winds down. The first 15,000 fans through the gates at Comerica Park for Saturday’s 6:10 p.m. ET game against the White Sox will get an El Mago t-shirt honoring the All-Star center fielder/shortstop Báez and his Motor City Magic. Check out tigers.com/tickets for more details. |
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