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MLB 2020 Draft - Tigers Draft Spencer Torkelson #1 And sign him to $8.4 Million Bonus

Torkelson played first base at Arizona State, but the Tigers announced him as a third baseman, and he has shown enough athleticism to convince some that he could stick at third base, despite never playing the position in college.

"We know he can play first, but our scouts strongly feel that he can play third base, and that's our intent at this point," Tigers general manager Al Avila said on ESPN's draft broadcast. "He's exactly the type of player we hoped would be there with the first pick. At this point, we're going to send him out as a third baseman."

Torkelson said he played all over the field during his youth, adding that he has no problem with transitioning to third base.

"It's not a shock to me. I prided myself as a baseball player, and a baseball player isn't stuck at one position," Torkelson said on ESPN. "... You're playing all over the place [as a kid], and that's what I pride myself on. I pride myself on winning and getting the job done, and if that's at third base, that's what it is. I'll do my best over there and make it happen."

https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id...tate-slugger-spencer-torkelson-no-1-mlb-draft
 
For those that thought Austin Martin was the better choice, he dropped all the way to 5 for the Blue Jays.
 
https://www.mlb.com/tigers/news/tigers-2020-draft
No. 1 pick Spencer Torkelson's got the power, will to win.
Tigers official site

https://www.blessyouboys.com/2020/6...r-torkelson-detroit-tigers-first-overall-pick
Tigers select 3B Spencer Torkelson with No. 1 pick in 2020 MLB draft.
As expected, the Tigers have selected the Sun Devils? slugger with the top pick in the 2020 MLB draft.
BYBTB

https://www.detroitnews.com/story/s...franchise-altering-detroit-tigers/5334403002/
Agent Scott Boras: Tigers get 'franchise-altering' player in Spencer Torkelson.
Detnews

https://www.detroitnews.com/story/s...-spencer-torkelson-no-1-mlb-draft/5333611002/
Home run pick: Tigers take powerful Spencer Torkelson No. 1 in MLB Draft.
Detnews

https://www.freep.com/story/sports/...son-detroit-tigers-mlb-draft-2020/3170854001/
Detroit Tigers take Spencer Torkelson with No. 1 pick in 2020 MLB draft.
Freep

https://www.freep.com/story/sports/...ird-base-detroit-tigers-mlb-draft/5338573002/
Here's why Detroit Tigers drafted Spencer Torkelson as a third baseman.
Freep

https://www.freep.com/story/sports/...son-detroit-tigers-mlb-draft-2020/5336957002/
Why Spencer Torkelson is a home run for Detroit Tigers in 2020 MLB draft.
Freep

https://www.freep.com/story/sports/.../spencer-torkelson-detroit-tigers/5337995002/
Why experts call Detroit Tigers' Spencer Torkelson 'perfect pick' in 2020 MLB draft.
Freep

https://www.freep.com/story/sports/.../spencer-torkelson-detroit-tigers/5338714002/
Another reason to like Detroit Tigers' Spencer Torkelson: 'You're killing me, Smalls'.
Freep

https://www.mlive.com/tigers/2020/0...rkelson-with-no-1-pick-in-2020-mlb-draft.html
Tigers take Spencer Torkelson with No. 1 pick in 2020 MLB Draft.
Mlive

https://motorcitybengals.com/2020/06/10/spencer-torkelson-detroit-tigers-mlb-draft/
Spencer Torkelson, Welcome to Detroit.
MCBTB

https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id...tate-slugger-spencer-torkelson-no-1-mlb-draft
Detroit Tigers take Arizona State slugger Spencer Torkelson No. 1 in MLB draft.
espn

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2020/06/tigers-draft-spencer-torkelson-first-overall-mlb.html
Tigers Select Spencer Torkelson With No. 1 Pick.
MLBTR
 
Torkelson played first base at Arizona State, but the Tigers announced him as a third baseman, and he has shown enough athleticism to convince some that he could stick at third base, despite never playing the position in college.

"We know he can play first, but our scouts strongly feel that he can play third base, and that's our intent at this point," Tigers general manager Al Avila said on ESPN's draft broadcast. "He's exactly the type of player we hoped would be there with the first pick. At this point, we're going to send him out as a third baseman."


https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id...tate-slugger-spencer-torkelson-no-1-mlb-draft

I know that it can be complicated with roster makeup, etc. But 1B is usually the place teams hide a player that has good offensive skills but no defense. If a guy plays 1B in his entire college career, he is probably limited defensively. Why would a college team put a guy at 1B if he could excel at 3B?
 
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I know that it can be complicated with roster makeup, etc. But 1B is usually the place teams hide a player that has good offensive skills but no defense. If a guy plays 1B in his entire college career, he is probably limited defensively. Why would a college team put a guy at 1B if he could excel at 3B?

Depends on who they had at 3B. Miggy was decent at 3B so why not.
 
Depends on who they had at 3B. Miggy was decent at 3B so why not.

that's kind of my point. When Miggy played 3B the Tigers were trying to hide a good offensive with no D at 1B (Prince & Victor). Almost every team does it. If you have a guy that is a MLB caliber defensive 3B on a college roster...you play him at 3B and find some slug on D that has some sort of bat at 1B.
 
that's kind of my point. When Miggy played 3B the Tigers were trying to hide a good offensive with no D at 1B (Prince & Victor). Almost every team does it. If you have a guy that is a MLB caliber defensive 3B on a college roster...you play him at 3B and find some slug on D that has some sort of bat at 1B.

MLB caliber is a bit open ended. He doesn't have to be Brooks Robinson.
 
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I know nothing about these players being drafted, but I learned of Masyn Winn in an article on the Freep today and now I want him.

He's 18 and a two way player. He has hit 98 on the gun, has home run power and good speed on the bases.

Who knows what he'll develop into, but seems that you're giving yourself twice as many chances by taking him. Who knows, maybe he continues to excel at both and you've got a stud two way player.
 
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