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Spencer Torkelson finds his timing, unlocks his power after slow start
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- Spencer Torkelson finds his timing, unlocks his power after slow start
Three home runs in three games is the current streak for Detroit Tigers first baseman Spencer Torkelson . The 26-year-old slugger is finally hitting for power again as he works to overcome a slow start to his fifth season in the big leagues.
What is the reason for the improved results?
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His swing is on time for fastballs.
"Being on time and being ready," Torkelson said.
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Detroit Tigers first baseman Spencer Torkelson (20) bats a walk-off home run against Milwaukee Brewers during the ninth inning at Comerica Park in Detroit on Thursday, April 23, 2026.
In 2026, Torkelson is hitting .210 with three home runs, 16 walks (16.3% walk rate) and 28 strikeouts (28.6% strikeout rate) across 26 games, registering a .717 OPS. He has posted minus-5 defensive runs saved over 211⅓ innings at first base.
In his first 23 games, Torkelson hit .186 with a .566 OPS while rarely swinging. The lack of swings led to an abundance of walks but minimal damage. Despite the walks, he's still running a career-high strikeout rate.
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In three games entering the Tigers' game against the Cincinnati Reds on Saturday, April 25, Torkelson hit .364 with a 1.689 OPS. He produced three home runs (among his four hits) on fastballs located middle-in within the strike zone, where the timing of his swing unlocked the big moments.
He has been more aggressive in his swing decisions during the three-game stretch – and his average exit velocity has skyrocketed.
"I just kept reminding myself, it's coming, it's coming," Torkelson said.
Detroit Tigers first baseman Spencer Torkelson (20) celebrates a walk-off home run against Milwaukee Brewers during the ninth inning at Comerica Park in Detroit on Thursday, April 23, 2026.
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It finally came.
Three times in a row.
Same location, same swing, same result.
"I think I'm just on time," Torkelson said.
In Wednesday's 5-2 win , Torkelson turned on a middle-in 95.1 mph sinker from right-hander Chad Patrick for a two-run home run and a 2-1 lead in the fourth inning – hitting it 400 feet to left-center field with a 106.4 mph exit velocity.
In Thursday's 5-4 win , Torkelson launched an up-and-in 99.2 mph sinker from right-handed reliever Abner Uribe for a solo home run for a walk-off win in the ninth inning – hitting it 382 feet to left-center field with a 109.8 mph exit velocity.
In Friday's 9-8 loss , Torkelson destroyed a middle-in 93.6 mph fastball from right-handed reliever Tony Santillan for a solo home run and a 7-6 deficit in the eighth inning (before the Tigers took an 8-7 lead on Kerry Carpenter 's two-run home run) – hitting it 435 feet to left field with a 108.3 mph exit velocity.
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"As soon as you feel it once, your brain is crazy – it just likes to repeat it," said Torkelson, who has two 31-homer performances in his first four seasons and two Triple-A demotions in his first three seasons.
How did Torkelson react to his walk-off home run in Thursday's game?
"It felt amazing," Torkelson said.
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Timing is everything for Torkelson.
Right now, his swing (which has a tendency to travel along the same path without adjustability) is on time for fastballs, specifically fastballs located middle-in that he can pull for power.
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"I'm proud of him," manager A.J. Hinch said, reacting to Torkelson's walk-off home run in Thursday's game. "Mentally for him, he's getting a lot of questions, he's getting a lot of doubt, but never internally – never by us, never by his teammates and certainly not by him."
That timing is making a difference in his results.
"Be on time, get my pitch and put a good swing on it," Torkelson said.
"That's it," he added.
Contact Evan Petzold at epetzold@freepress.com or follow him @EvanPetzold .
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Spencer Torkelson home runs in three straight games for Detroit Tigers
