Let’s create some running conversational threads. And for those of you still going into offices, here’s a question to take with you – or use via Zoom – as you talk to your co-workers.
Here is today’s topic:
The Detroit Tigers are about to expand their roster by 2 players. It has been reported that they are having a hard time deciding if they will recall Spencer Torkelson who was sent down in July for offensive woes.
In 33 games (through Monday’s games), he is doing only slightly better, but still struggling. His slash line is .234/.349/.403/.753.
There is a question whether or not the Tigers have anyone else deserving to be called up.
Should Tork be recalled? Would it help or hurt him?
Is he better off working with the Mud Hens hitting coach, Adam Melhuse or should he be in Detroit seeing MLB pitching and under the watchful eye of A. J. Hinch? Or will Scott Coolbaugh’s coaching derail any progress?
If not Torkelson, then who else would benefit from being in Detroit?
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Making better adjustments at the plate is the key to Torkelson’s development. I’m torn on whether the timing is right for him to give it another try. I suspect he will spend the off season working with a private batting instructor to re-tool his approach.
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My thinking, too. Being up with the Tigers won’t provide him with the amount of instruction and attention he probably needs. He should finish the season in Toledo, go to Lakeland and get what he needs down there. Then, maybe he can go to the Arizona Fall League to test his “new” swing.
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Voted no. I think we need to forget for a minute that Tork was a number one pick. Would we be calling up any other player who performed like he did thus far? I’m hoping the answer is no.
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The Tigers have been doing that for years. Why should Torkelson be any different? All “experts” agreed that he was a ML level talent. Why keep him in the minors when lesser players get playing time in Detroit?
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Because he wasn’t any good!
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You apparently missed my point RR.
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I think I had what you were getting at until I read the last sentence. My bad.
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Sorry, Doug – still not sold; don’t really care what’s been done in the past. Only reason Tigers have brought up lesser players is because there don’t have any really impressive ones to bring up. Let’s get (hopefully) Tork straightened out over the winter.
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I’d bring him up. Nobody else on the 40-man roster stands out. And he may benefit from being around his friend Riley Greene.
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He was around Riley for a month and he may have actually done worse.
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Why bring a guy up when he can’t hit minor league pitching. Keep him there to learn to do it right, or let him go to another club who can teach him right.
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Let him finish the year at Toledo as strong as he can. Then let him go home, relax, and hit the reset button. Keeping him going through this crappy year won’t help IMO.
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After a rough start at Toledo, Torkelson seems to hitting much better lately, so hopefully the worst of his hitting woes are behind him. Bringing him up gives him an opportunity to continue his growth at the highest level in what otherwise has been a wasted season for the Tigers. He’s still the Tigers best prospect in the minors and needs every opportunity to become part of parent club’s future.
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Bring up Ryan Kreidler. Sure, he’s hitting only .219. But Baez is hitting .224, Candelario .203, and Schoop .204. I watched the first few innings of Toledo’s game last night on MILB TV. Kreidler made some excellent defensive plays at shortstop.
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No. Keep him where he is. In fact, I would send him to the Arizona Instructional League. He has to show improvement. MLB is a business – not a place where everyone gets a Participation Trophy and a ribbon.
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Keep him far away from Coolbaugh. Let him reset and the Tigers get a better coach and then bring him up with Riley next spring.
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I’d bring him back for the mental uptick as well as the physical improvement of cutting down his upswing. He needs to look at 22 in a positive light as he prepares for 23 and a reunion with Riley can be a real positive. Being banished to the Hens cannot be good for his physic state and won’t help him feel good about where 22 has taken him.
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I voted to leave him in Toledo sounds like he’s made a bit of progress there and no point in bringing him up in September as he’s not going to make any difference. Giving Joey Wentz a shot is worth trying.
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I voted no because if he continues to struggle, it could further hinder his development. It would be better for him to wait until next year and start with a clean slate. Besides, I’m not so sure that Coolbaugh or Hessman should even be coaching our players (and I would rather wait until the new GM comes in and picks his own coaches).
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I am aware that Torkelson is being called back up to Detroit , but I disagree with the decision. Torkelson failed at Toledo (.238) in 2021, he failed at Detroit (.197) in 2022, and he failed at Toledo (234) in 2022. Perhaps Torkelson could hit successfully at West Michigan.
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