(WXYZ) — The Detroit Tigers have selected Arizona State slugger Spencer Torkelson with the first overall pick in the 2020 MLB Draft.
Related: WATCH: Tigers GM Al Avila talks 2020 MLB Draft, prep for No. 1 overall pick
Torkelson, 20, is a first baseman and broke Barry Bonds' record at Arizona State for home runs by a freshman with 25 home runs. He was announced as a third baseman.
Here is Tigers GM Al Avila's setup for the MLB Draft. He shared this look with us at @WXYZDetroit pic.twitter.com/bPwPhBs4EX
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He was named the freshman of the year, freshman hitter of the year and the PAC-12 Freshman of the Year.
“After completing a comprehensive and truly unique pre-draft evaluation of the top players, our decision to select Spencer was a clear one," Tigers GM Al Avila said in a statement.
The slugger had six home runs in the shortened season this year for the Sun Devils.
“He’s one of the most polished hitters we’ve seen in the draft for quite some time, showing plus-plus power and excellent plate discipline," said Tigers director of amateur scouting Scott Pleis in a statement.
During his career, he appeared in 129 games for the Sun Devils and had a .337 batting average, .729 slugging percentage, .463 on-base percentage. That went along with 168 hits, 54 home runs and 130 RBIs.
Previous Detroit Tigers picks include OF Riley Greene last year and pitcher Casey Mize in 2018. Greene played for Single-A in 2019 while Mize was at Double-A.
