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Only Six Players in Detroit Tigers History Did What Spencer Torkelson Did Thursday

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Eric W. Bolin | Last updated Mar 28, 2025 3:40 PM ET

Just four years ago, Detroit Tigers first baseman Spencer Torkelson was considered the No. 3 prospect in all of baseball. But with three seasons of Major League action under his belt, he's yet to live up to that status.

Torkelson was the Opening Day starter for the Tigers at first base from 2022-24. But he failed to produce, slashing just .201/.266/.330 before a demotion to Triple-A. Torkelson spent about two months in Toledo trying to rediscover his magic.

It's just one game into the 2025 season, but things are looking up. In fact, what Torkelson accomplished for the Tigers' season opener Thursday, where he started as the team's designated hitter, is something only six players in franchise history had done before him.

Torkelson had just one hit, a home run, but he also had just one at-bat. In each of his other four plate appearances, he drew a walk. The strange-yet-effective statistical line put him with some pretty high company.

The only other Tigers players to ever walk four times and hit a home run in the same game are JD Martinez, Cecil Fielder, Travis Fryman, Rob Deer, Jason Thompson and Roy Cullenbine. For those unaware, those six players have a combined 17 All-Star apperances.

And while it's a bit early to put Torkelson in that conversation, he and the Tigers couldn't have asked for a better start, even after a 5-4 loss in the opener at the hands of the defending World Series champion, the Los Angeles Dodgers.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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