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Detroit Tigers' Spencer Torkelson Joins Team History with 20th Home Run on Wednesday

Originally posted on FanNation Fastball | By Brady Farkas | Last updated 8/16/23

Former No. 1 overall draft pick Spencer Torkelson hit his 20th home run of the season on Wednesday for the Detroit Tigers, joining a rare club in team history.

Per Tigers reporter Evan Petzold:

#Tigers first baseman Spencer Torkelson is the seventh player in franchise history to hit at least 20 home runs in his age-23 season, joining Travis Fryman, Hank Greenberg, Willie Horton, Matt Nokes, Jason Thompson and Rudy York. (h/t @DetroitTigersPR)

While Torkelson's average has struggled this year (hitting just .229 at the time of this posting), he has taken real steps in the power department from his rookie season. His 20 home runs and 65 RBI already this year are an improvement on his eight homers and 28 RBI from a season ago.

He's also been able to stick at the major league level all year, whereas in 2022 he was sent back to Triple-A and played in just 110 major league games.

The Tigers are having another down year this year but the development of guys like Torkelson and Riley Greene bodes well for the future. Greene currently has 11 home runs and has been hot since coming off the injured list himself.

The Tigers entered play on Wednesday at 53-66 on the year and currently trail the Twins, 4-3, at the time of this posting.

Detroit will open up a new series on Thursday night against the division rival Cleveland Guardians, who are trying to stay alive in the AL Central race. They are 4.5 games back entering play on Wednesday.

This article first appeared on FanNation Fastball and was syndicated with permission.

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