ASU alum Spencer Torkelson experiencing growing pains as a Detroit Tigers rookie

Late last week Detroit Tigers rookie first baseman Spencer Torkelson walked into the office of manager A.J. Hinch with a modest request. It had nothing to do with his spot in the batting order or needing a day off.

Torkelson's team was playing in Boston at the time but was then headed to Arizona for a three-game set against the Diamondbacks at Chase Field, just miles from where Torkelson made a name for himself while playing at Arizona State. The past off-season Torkelson, who hails from Northern California, bought a home in Gilbert so his inquiry was a simple one.

"He kind of sheepishly asked if he can stay in his own bed in his own house (rather than at the team hotel), which is always nice," Hinch said. "Obviously good for him to be home. We joked with him, that he's playing for free with all the tickets he's had to buy."

It was indeed a homecoming for Torkelson, 22, the No. 1 overall draft pick in 2020. This marked his first time at Chase Field since making it to the major league level.

He spent 20 minutes or so with the local media before batting practice Friday night, then was shepherded over to a quick television interview. He then made his way over the first few rows next to the visitor's dugout and signed autographs for some young fans, many of who sported Tigers jerseys with Torkelson's name on them.

He got a nice round of applause when he stepped up to the plate for the first time in the second inning against Arizona right-hander Merrill Kelly, also an ASU alum, and responded with a one-out single.

"It's very nice to be back here. I love Arizona. It's pretty much my first home now," Torkelson said. "It's kind of special because I kind of came onto the national scene here at ASU so to be able to play in this ballpark this year is great because I think next year the schedule changes."

Torkelson made a quick trek through the minor leagues, hitting all three levels last season. In 121 games between High-A West Michigan, Double-A Erie and Triple-A Toledo, he racked up 115 hits, 29 doubles, 30 home runs, and 91 RBI with 89 runs scored.

He made the opening day roster this season but has gotten off to a slow start. He went 0-for his first four games (10 at-bats), before recording his first hit in the fifth game, a double off Boston's Rich Hill on April 12. His first home run came the next day off Red Sox left-hander Austin Davis. He has the ball from that milestone as the fan that retrieved it handed it off to the bullpen catcher in exchange for some tickets.

He notes that the biggest difference is the caliber of pitching he faces on a daily basis.

"Everyone is more consistent. The pitchers make less mistakes. They're more consistent with their pitches. The defense makes the routine plays more routine. The offense, they don't miss mistakes and if you get one mistake and you miss it, you're probably not going to get another one. That's really it," he said.

Torkelson started this series with a .191 batting average with four home runs and 16 RBI. That's a  far cry from the gaudy numbers he registered in his time at ASU when he tallied 53 home runs, three shy of the school's career mark of Bob Horner. Torkelson was on track to shatter that record had COVID not derailed the 2020 season after just six games.

His 25 home runs as a freshman led the nation and was a Pac-12 record for a freshman, also breaking Barry Bonds' ASU record for home runs by a freshman.

But Torkelson said he's staying the course and learning everything he can each day, assuming the results will eventually manifest themselves in his numbers. He said the transition from high school to being a college freshman was also not as easy as it looked.

"Being a rookie is not easy, there's a learning curve but it's a lot of fun. I tend to enjoy a bit of adversity. My freshman fall (at ASU) wasn't glamorous. I had some growing pains. You just kind of have to learn the ropes a little bit, get comfortable and then the results start happening. It's really trusting the process, trusting myself, knowing the results will come."

The season is not yet half over but Torkelson says he is just enjoying the experience. He says his favorite venue thus far was Boston's Fenway Park.

Torkelson has the benefit of one of baseball's most respected veterans to learn from in Miguel Cabrera but the nucleus of the squad is a young one. Center fielder Riley Greene made his debut a week or so ago. The two played in the minors together, with Greene a first-round pick (fifth overall) in 2019 so they have much in common.

"Tork's awesome. We clicked right away, became friends. It's pretty cool to see him come home and stay at his house, be around his family," Greene said.

The two, who enjoy golf and video games in their downtime, remind each other that baseball is a game and they should enjoy the experience rather than focus on the failure part of the equation.

"Be young and have fun. Baseball is one of the best sports ever. It's fun to play it, especially as a job. Just being able to come out here swing the bat and throw the ball, that's awesome. I feel like having fun is the big thing."

Friday game recap: Offensive struggles continue to doom D-Backs in loss to Tigers

The Tigers have been battling for the American League Central cellar with the Kansas City Royals. When the results aren't showing up for the team in the win column, Hinch admits it can put undue focus on the players who are struggling, the highly regarded prospects in particular.

Torkelson said the hardest part of the expectations that came with his draft status came early on.

"It affected me more right after I got picked," he said. "I was so normal. I love just being a normal guy that loved to play baseball and to have all this recognition and it kind of shocked me a little bit. I thought at first I had to be superhuman instead of just being myself because that's what got me drafted. So just getting back to who I am, that's how I dealt with it."

Up next: Pitching matchups for D-Backs-Tigers series at Chase Field

Hinch appreciates the way Torkelson has handled the adversity in his young career.

"We're trying to keep the burden of expectations off of him as we nurture him at the highest level, trying to learn some of the things you need to in order to be successful," Hinch said. "He's not fazed by the stress, the tension, the angst that comes with this level. He's been excellent on defense. He's got a lot to learn offensively. He doesn't have to be a perfect player to be a contributor here but I've never seen him pout, really lose his cool. He has the talent for this level and it will come."

Hinch continues to preach patience as his young players adapt.

"This is a tough league. It's important for him to learn a lot and he's learning at this level with minimal minor league time. He's been better the last week or two. Just being himself, not trying to carry this team. He's a good player. He's learning a lot. It's a good reminder to everybody that these young players come up and struggle, it's not as easy a job as some people want it to be. We believe in him. He's a big part of what we're doing. He's doing just fine behind the scenes in his preparation. That's what matters."

More D-Backs news: Diamondbacks whittling down names for No. 2 pick as MLB draft nears | In debut series, Buddy Kennedy delivers dream Father's Day gift | Computer calling balls, strikes? D-Backs prospects weigh in

Reach the reporter at Michelle.Gardner@gannett.com or 602 444-4783.  Follow her on Twitter @MGardnerSports.

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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: ASU baseball alum Spencer Torkelson learning as Detroit Tigers rookie