Spencer Torkelson was the first overall pick by the Detroit Tigers in the MLB draft on Wednesday. He was first baseman at Arizona State, but the Tigers announced him as a third baseman.
If he was announced as a first baseman, he would have been the first-ever college first baseman to go first overall.
The right-handed hitter has notable raw power and also hits for average. He profiles as a middle-of-the-order bat in the pro ranks. He also profiles as a first baseman.
Torkelson hit .337 with 54 home runs and 130 RBIs in 129 games at Arizona State over the last three years.
Adrian Gonzalez is the only first baseman to ever hear his name called with the top pick, as the then-Florida Marlins drafted the California prep star in 2000. Gonzalez, Eric Hosmer and Andrew Vaughn are the only first baseman to go in the top-five picks since 2000.
