There’s a Spencer Torkelson apology form making its way around social media right now. On it, a list of six different reasons as to why you were quick to criticize Torkelson. From “The media said he was bad” to “I don’t know baseball.” It’s a fun dig at anyone and everyone who pounded on Torkelson throughout his five-year career.
Now, the list of people who’ve dogged Torkelson for his hitting is a long list. Maybe bigger than the one Santa checks twice every year. That list includes a lot of good and bad people, but all could get behind one thing: Torkelson was not on the trajectory many were expecting.
Especially seeing the immediate impact of 2026 rookie Kevin McGonigle, Tigers fans had seemed to lose interest in the remaining potential Torkelson had left.
This list included fans, talking heads and even me.
However, over the last three weeks, Torkelson has done something nearly impossible for many to believe. He turned from a hitter who was hitting home runs more so than base hits into a hitter who could also hit home runs.
Via an interview with 97.1 The Ticket after the game, Torkelson explained the mindset that has helped fuel the turnaround.
“My agent’s always harping, ‘You’re a great hitter. You’re not a power hitter, you’re a hitter with power.’”
“Trying not to do too much with the fastball... helps me stay on time and hit every pitch.”
It was easy to see the change in Torkelson’s approach over the last few weeks. While at the plate, Torkelson was taking the baseball where the pitcher presented it. His ability to lay off pitches outside the zone was showing up on film every day.
Spencer Torkelson since July 26:
— Tigers Data (@TigersData) August 13, 2026
.379/.441/.483
.924 OPS
with RISP:
.444/.478/.722
1.200 OPS pic.twitter.com/PVyNDTXJbX
Along with not trying to do too much with the baseball, Torkelson has started to become a premier hitter, small-ball style, similar to what McGonigle is showcasing on a daily basis.
Over the last 15 games, Torkelson’s statistics are off the map, truly putting together a meaningful stretch that, for the first time in his entire career, isn’t being showcased with a mass amount of home runs.
Spencer Torkelson — Last 15 Games
- AVG: .390
- XBH: 4
- RBI: 13
- OPS: .933
- AVG with RISP: .474
Not only has Torkelson been dinged for being one of, at times, the worst hitters in baseball with the bases loaded, but if you remove one of those runners, Torkelson becomes a walking giant with runners in scoring position.
Via Tigers Data, only 10 players this season have 100+ plate appearances with runners in scoring position while posting an OPS over 1.000. Spencer Torkelson ranks seventh.
It’s been a roller coaster season for the Tigers as well as Torkelson, but as long as both the player and the team stay on the uphill, there won’t be a dramatic fall.