He has posted minus-5 defensive runs saved over 211⅓ innings at first base.In his first 23 games, Torkelson hit .186 with a .566 OPS while rarely swinging. The lack of swings led to an abundance of walks but minimal damage. Despite the walks, he's still running a career-high strikeout rate.In three games entering the Tigers' game against the Cincinnati Reds on Saturday, April 25, Torkelson hit .364 with a 1.689 OPS.

He produced three home runs (among his four hits) on fastballs located middle-in within the strike zone, where the timing of his swing unlocked the big moments.He has been more aggressive in his swing decisions during the three-game stretch – and his average exit velocity has skyrocketed."I just kept reminding myself, it's coming, it's coming," Torkelson said.THIRD TIME TROUBLE: Tarik Skubal on late inning struggles: 'I'll be all right'It finally came.Three times in a row.Same location, same swing, same result."I think I'm just on time," Torkelson said.In Wednesday's 5-2 win, Torkelson turned on a middle-in 95.1 mph sinker from right-hander Chad Patrick for a two-run home run and a 2-1 lead in the fourth inning – hitting it 400 feet to left-center field with a 106.4 mph exit velocity.TORK BOMB 💣 pic.twitter.com/VSinw5aYoN— Detroit Tigers (@tigers) April 22, 2026In Thursday's 5-4 win, Torkelson launched an up-and-in 99.2 mph sinker from right-handed reliever Abner Uribe for a solo home run for a walk-off win in the ninth inning – hitting it 382 feet to left-center field with a 109.8 mph exit velocity.TORK BOMB WALKOFF ‼️ pic.twitter.com/IDxZePSz54— Detroit Tigers (@tigers) April 23, 2026In Friday's 9-8 loss, Torkelson destroyed a middle-in 93.6 mph fastball from right-handed reliever Tony Santillan for a solo home run and a 7-6 deficit in the eighth inning (before the Tigers took an 8-7 lead on Kerry Carpenter's two-run home run) – hitting it 435 feet to left field with a 108.3 mph exit velocity."As soon as you feel it once, your brain is crazy – it just likes to repeat it," said Torkelson, who has two 31-homer performances in his first four seasons and two Triple-A demotions in his first three seasons.tork bomb pic.twitter.com/a3DisiwMaE— Detroit Tigers (@tigers) April 25, 2026How did Torkelson react to his walk-off home run in Thursday's game?"It felt amazing," Torkelson said.ROSTER MOVES: Tigers option Enmanuel De Jesus to Triple-A; Burch Smith called upTiming is everything for Torkelson.Right now, his swing (which has a tendency to travel along the same path without adjustability) is on time for fastballs, specifically fastballs located middle-in that he can pull for power."I'm proud of him," manager A.J. Hinch said, reacting to Torkelson's walk-off home run in Thursday's game. "Mentally for him, he's getting a lot of questions, he's getting a lot of doubt, but never internally – never by us, never by his teammates and certainly not by him."That timing is making a difference in his results."Be on time, get my pitch and put a good swing on it," Torkelson said."That's it," he added.Contact Evan Petzold at epetzold@freepress.com or follow him @EvanPetzold.This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Spencer Torkelson home runs in three straight games for Detroit Tigers