Tigers general manager Al Avila has never liked comparing prospects to players. He's not going to start now with Spencer Torkelson.
Torkelson spent the bulk of his college career at first, and played some left field in the Cape Cod League. He hasn't seen much action at third since high school. But the Tigers want to give him a shot to maximize his impact in the bigs. An elite bat at third is generally harder to find than one at first.
"People forget, he’s very athletic," Avila told the Jamie and Stoney Show. "They’re wondering why we would consider third base. There’s a lot of people that think he can play third base and even the outfield, too. If you remember years ago, Miguel Cabrera when he first came up played left field, then third base, then first base, then back to third."
Avila was the director of scouting for the Marlins when the club signed Cabrera as a 17-year-old shortstop. That's where he played for his first two years in their system. He moved to third base in year three, then was summoned to the majors at the age of 20 as a left fielder. He stayed there for the next two seasons before switching to third in 2006.
"The need at the time for the Marlins was in the outfield, and that’s where he started," Avila said. "He had never played in the outfield at that point and he did it fine. My point is, if you’re athletic enough -- and Cabrera back in those days had great footwork -- you can go and play a position."
But they believe Torkelson is up for the challenge.
"The thing about him is, he’s embracing this and we feel he can do it," said Avila. "And there’s really no harm in giving it a shot because we feel he’ll bring a lot more value that way."
It should be noted: Castellanos embraced it, too. Embraced it for a long time, until finally he'd had enough. Drafted as a shortstop, he switched to third base in Single-A, to right field in Double-A and to left field in Triple-A. He debuted for the Tigers as a left fielder late in 2013, and was told that offseason to prepare for a switch back to third. He was plopped in right field in 2017, then asked in 2019 to consider a move to first.
In exchange, Castellanos asked for an extension. The Tigers wouldn't give it to him, and now he's gone. They'll miss his bat. Hopefully it will serve as a lesson as the organization proceeds with Torkelson, especially as he develops as a hitter. This is one bat they can't afford to crack.
"The key here is obviously the guy’s a great hitter, and he’ll be able to play another position if needed," said Avila. "Later in his career if he goes back to first base, that’s fine, too."