Tigers give $8.4M deal to Torkelson, who joins player pool
1 overall draft pick Spencer Torkelson and the Detroit Tigers agreed to a minor league contract on Tuesday, and the team said the infielder will join its player pool for this abbreviated season. Torkelson's deal includes $8,418,800, of which $8,416,300 is a signing bonus and $2,500 is a newly created contract execution bonus that is not in the usual structure of initial major league contracts. He is to receive $102,500 within 30 days of the deals approval by Major League Baseball, and 50% of the rest on each July 1 in 2021 and 2022. Detroit announced 58 selections for its player pool Sunday, leaving two spots open. The Tigers also included Mize and several other top pitching prospects in that player pool, meaning it's possible that some of Detroit's biggest young names could reach the majors at some point this season.
Tigers load up with more college bats on Day 2 of MLB draft
NEW YORK The Detroit Tigers took a few more big swings at rebuilding their lineup. Ohio State catcher Dillon Dingler led off the draft's second day as the No. 3 overall pick to the Marlins, and they followed with Oklahoma high school lefty Daxton Fulton (No. 1 overall pick for the second time in three years, after taking Auburn right-hander Casey Mize in 2018. With their potential future ace already sailing through the farm system, the Tigers turned to bats this time.
In Torkelson, Tigers could have hitting prospect they need
It's a combination that's worked before for the Detroit Tigers and now they have a couple of prospects they hope can bring competitive baseball back to the Motor City. Detroit drafted Arizona State first baseman Spencer Torkelson with the top pick in Wednesday night's draft, although the Tigers plan to try him across the diamond at third base. I dont think anybody really knows whats going to happen here. "But I think Spencers the kind of guy, I dont think hes going to get real slowed down by any of this stuff. I don't think my progress has been halted at all.
Tigers draft Arizona State slugger Torkelson with No. 1 pick
NEW YORK The Detroit Tigers selected Arizona State slugger Spencer Torkelson with the No. 1 pick Wednesday night in the Major League Baseball amateur draft. The baseball-bashing Torkelson played first base in college, but was announced as a third baseman by Commissioner Rob Manfred. After having the majors worst record last season, Detroit opened the draft for the second time in three years. This years draft was originally scheduled to be held for the first time in Omaha, Nebraska, as a lead-in to the College World Series.
A look back at big hits, bad calls as MLB eyes new draft era
(AP Photo/Julio Cortez, File)NEW YORK Baseballs amateur draft is about to enter the next phase of its ongoing development same as all those young prospects picked every year. Even before the coronavirus pandemic, the 2020 version was ticketed for a move to Omaha, Nebraska, to coincide with the College World Series there. But with the top pick in the second June amateur draft in 1966, the New York Mets swung and missed. All that hype came to full fruition a decade later, when he was the World Series MVP as the Nationals won the franchises first championship last year. Prior to Appel, the only top overall picks who failed to reach the majors were Chilcott and left-hander Brien Taylor (Yankees, 1991).