Three rising stars for the Detroit Tigers
With Spring Training underway, each team is filled with hope for a World Series title and fresh faces are ready to make a name for themselves in the majors. After a promising second-place finish in the American League Central in 2023, the Detroit Tigers will look to make their first playoff appearance since 2014 in 2024.
Here are three rising stars looking to make an impact for the Tigers in 2024.
Spencer Torkelson, first base
2023 MLB stats: .233/.313/.446, 31 home runs and 94 RBI in 159 games played
Selected with the first pick in the 2020 MLB Draft, Tigers first baseman Spencer Torkelson had his breakout season in 2023 after an abysmal rookie year that saw him slash .203/.285/.319 with eight home runs and 28 RBI in 110 games played in 2022.
While his batting average was a little low at .233 last season, the 24-year-old slugged 66 extra-base hits including 31 home runs and 94 RBI.
In a wide-open American League Central division, Torkelson has a chance to help lead the Tigers to a long-awaited postseason appearance that is currently at ten years and counting.
If Torkelson can continue to improve his contact rate, he has a chance to be a superstar in the league and one of the cornerstone players for Detroit to build around.
Riley Greene, outfielder
2023 MLB stats: .288/.349/.447 34 extra-base hits and 37 RBI in 99 games played
Another one of the Tigers' recent top draft picks, outfielder Riley Greene was in the middle of a great season before a stress fracture in his left leg caused him to miss a little more than a month.
Slashing .288/.349/.447 with 34 extra-base hits and 51 runs scored in 99 games for the Tigers, Greene showed the talent that saw him go in the top five of the 2019 MLB Draft.
With a clean bill of health, Greene is one of the biggest breakout candidates in baseball and should quickly become a household name as the Tigers try to fight back to relevancy after some down years in the Motor City.
The 23-year-old possesses one of the smoothest swings from the left-hand side and could find his way to his first of many All-Star appearances in 2024.
Reese Olsen, pitcher
2023 MLB stats: 5-7, 3.99 ERA, 1.12 WHIP, 103 strikeouts in 103.2 innings pitched
Acquired from the Milwaukee Brewers for pitcher Daniel Norris two years ago, pitcher Reese Olson made his MLB debut in 2023 and proved he belonged.
Making 21 starts for Detroit he went 5-7 with a 3.99 ERA while striking out 103 hitters in 103.2 innings pitched.
He surrendered more than four runs in only three of his 21 starts and got stronger as the year progressed. In September he had his best month in the majors, going 3-1 with a 1.44 ERA while holding opposing batters to a .147/.223/.265 slash line.
With a season under his belt and an improved Tigers rotation, Olson has the chance to be one of the best pitchers in the American League Central in 2024.
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