Detroit Tigers first base Spencer Torkelson (20) looks on during an at bat in the first inning of the game against the Cleveland Guardians at Comerica Park on May 24. Brian Bradshaw Sevald-Imagn Images

Former No. 1 Overall Draft Pick Making Rare History For Detroit Tigers of Last 25 Years

Originally posted on Fastball on SI | By Brady Farkas | Last updated May 31, 2025 12:18 PM ET

The Detroit Tigers beat the Kansas City Royals 7-5 on Friday night as Spencer Torkelson went deep for the 14th time this season.

With that blast, he's joined a rare club in team history over the last 25 years, according to @TigersPR:

Tigers since 2000 to have 14+ home runs in the team's first 58 games of a season:

Spencer Torkelson, 2025 (14)
Victor Martinez, 2014 (14)
Miguel Cabrera, 2013 (17)
Miguel Cabrera, 2010 (18)
Gary Sheffield, 2007 (15)

Tigers since 2000 to have 14+ home runs in the team's first 58 games of a season:

Spencer Torkelson, 2025 (14)
Victor Martinez, 2014 (14)
Miguel Cabrera, 2013 (17)
Miguel Cabrera, 2010 (18)
Gary Sheffield, 2007 (15)#RepDetroit pic.twitter.com/mXwWPOdPRl
— Tigers PR (@DetroitTigersPR) May 31, 2025

The former No. 1 overall pick in the draft (2020), Torkelson is now hitting .242 with the 14 homers, 42 RBIs and a .352 on-base percentage. He's been a big part of why the Tigers are 38-20 and owners of the best record in the American League.

It's been an up-and-down career for Torkelson so far, who played only 92 big-leagues last year around his struggles, but he appears to have found a solidified role this year.

He pairs with Riley Greene, Kerry Carpenter and Gleyber Torres to make up one of the better lineups in the AL, and Detroit appears primed for a second consecutive run to October after losing in the American League Division Series a season ago.

The Tigers and Royals will play again on Saturday afternoon with first pitch coming at 4:10 p.m. ET. Michael Wacha will take the ball for Kansas City while reigning American League Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal goes for Detroit.

Wacha is out to a 3-4 start this season while Skubal is 5-2 with a 2.49 ERA. He threw a complete-game shutout in his last time out.

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

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