In a surprising twist following the Detroit Tigers’ thrilling 6-4 victory over the Kansas City Royals last night, head coach AJ Hinch reportedly remains dissatisfied with first baseman Spencer Torkelson’s performance. The Tigers’ win, which snapped a three-game losing streak, was a hard-fought battle, with key contributions from Riley Greene’s two-run homer and Tarik Skubal’s dominant pitching. Yet, sources close to the team claim Hinch’s frustration with Torkelson stems from a series of mental errors and missed opportunities that could have cost the team dearly.
Torkelson, the former No. 1 overall draft pick, has been under scrutiny this season for his inconsistent play. Despite hitting a double in the game, insiders say Hinch was livid over Torkelson’s failure to capitalize on a critical scoring opportunity in the seventh inning. With runners on second and third, Torkelson popped out to shallow right field, stranding both runners and nearly squandering the Tigers’ lead. “AJ expects more from a player of Spencer’s caliber,” an anonymous source said. “That kind of lapse in focus is unacceptable, win or lose.”
Hinch’s discontent reportedly goes beyond last night’s game. Torkelson’s season stats—a .220 batting average with only six home runs—have raised eyebrows among the coaching staff. The young slugger’s struggles at the plate, combined with occasional defensive miscues, have fueled speculation that Hinch is considering dropping him further in the batting order or even benching him for upcoming games. “Spencer’s got the talent, but he’s not putting it together consistently,” the source added. “AJ’s patience is wearing thin.”
The Tigers’ clubhouse mood was reportedly tense after the game, with Hinch addressing the team in a closed-door meeting. While he praised the team’s resilience, he allegedly singled out Torkelson for his “lack of situational awareness.” This criticism echoes sentiments Hinch expressed earlier this season, when he hinted at lineup changes to “spark the offense.” Fans on social media have begun to speculate about Torkelson’s future, with some calling for a stint in Triple-A to regain his confidence.
Despite the win, which improved the Tigers’ record to 18-22, Hinch’s focus remains on long-term improvement. “One game doesn’t fix everything,” he reportedly told reporters post-game, avoiding direct mention of Torkelson but emphasizing the need for “every player to step up.” As the Tigers prepare to face the Royals again tomorrow, all eyes will be on Torkelson to see if he can redeem himself or if Hinch’s frustrations will lead to a drastic lineup shakeup.
For now, the Tigers’ victory is overshadowed by this brewing tension, raising questions about whether Torkelson can meet Hinch’s high expectations or if his time as a cornerstone of Detroit’s future is in jeopardy.
