Detroit Tigers first baseman Spencer Torkelson (20) congratulates center fielder Riley Greene (31). Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Trio of young hitters proving to be future of the Tigers

By Michael Carpenter | Last updated 8/21/23

Sitting at 57-67, the Detroit Tigers are long shots in their division despite playing good baseball since the All-Star break but have given fans something to be excited about in 2024.

With their last postseason appearance coming in 2014, it's been a while since they have been taken seriously on the diamond but that is slowly starting to change.

After making their MLB debuts in 2022, Tigers outfielders Riley Greene and Kerry Carpenter as well as first baseman Spencer Torkelson are showing significant improvements in year two.

Greene was the No. 5 pick in the 2019 MLB Draft and in his first season in the MLB, he put up a very respectable rookie year.

Ending with a .253 batting average including five home runs and 42 RBIs in 93 games played, he has taken another step forward in 2023.

Currently slashing .303/.362/.476 with 11 home runs and 33 RBIs in 88 games played, Greene missed the month of June with a left fibula stress fracture but hasn't let that slow him down. He looks like the top-of-the-lineup hitter he was expected to be when drafted.

It's easy being Greene. pic.twitter.com/tEndjlmm6J
— Detroit Tigers (@tigers) August 16, 2023

Another person with big expectations, Torkelson was drafted with the first overall pick in the 2020 MLB Draft and expected to be the power threat they desperately missed in Detroit.

After a rough rookie year that saw him post a .203 batting average with eight home runs and 28 RBIs in 110 games played, Torkelson has bounced back in a big way in 2023.

Slashing .233/.315/.439 with 22 home runs and 68 RBIs in 122 appearances this year, he looks like a premier slugging first baseman for years to come as he continues to figure out opposing pitching.

TORK BOMB IN THE FIRST INNING #RepDetroit pic.twitter.com/dgt0MTa0I5
— Bally Sports Detroit (@BallySportsDET) August 20, 2023

A 19th-round pick in the 2019 MLB Draft, Carpenter has already exceeded expectations just making the major league roster but he hasn't stopped there.

Getting a small taste of the big leagues in 2022, Carpenter managed to slug six home runs in 31 games played showing some intriguing pop and earning a shot with the big league club in 2023.

With a .281/.342/.526 slash line and 30 XBHs including 18 home runs this season, Carpenter has established himself as another promising building block for the Tigers franchise.