A Tigers’ talking point has been how “athletic” Spencer Torkelson is, even going as far as announcing him as a third baseman.
However, the way the Tigers’ minor league system is set up, the first overall selection in the 2020 MLB Draft still projects as the Tigers’ likely first baseman of the future.
But there is a wild card in the equation: Isaac Paredes.
The 5-11, 225-pound Paredes is projected as the Tigers’ third baseman of the future. Just 21, he is a shortstop by trade, who seems to have outgrown the position. He was used primarily at third while posting a solid season for Double-A Erie in 2019.
Paredes is the best of the Tigers’ advanced position player prospects (he was 100th overall on the 2020 Baseball America list) and was on track to make his MLB debut this season after hitting .282 with 13 home runs, 66 RBI and a .784 OPS for Erie after a slow start. He played 81 games at third and 32 at short.
Paredes has excellent hands and a strong arm. The issue could be range and throwing mechanics, aspects often tied to size.
If he gets bigger, would it be necessary to play Paredes at first base?
It is odd the Tigers have never scouted Torkelson playing third base in an actual game and yet presented him at the spot.
There is a big difference between taking ground balls and fielding the reactionary shots so much part of third base, especially at the MLB level. Also, third basemen often play a short outfield spot when the shift is deployed.
Range data is not widely available at the minor league level for those other than clubs. It would be interesting to know what it suggests about Paredes.
It can be viewed that both Paredes and Torkelson will be plus MLB hitters, but in tandem will they be adequate corner infielders? Poor corner infield play defensively can be devastating. Remember how good Miguel Cabrera and Prince Fielder were offensively? Yet, it was often negated in the field. Poor corner infield defense also noticeably hindered the 2008 Tigers.
At least the Tigers seem to have thought this through. In the past, before they became more analytically oriented, the Tigers too often let such matters slide.
Of course, it depends on how agile Paredes remains and whether Torkelson is really that athletic.
But the possibly of Torkelson at third presents another option and creates competition that could drive Paredes in the right direction defensively.