Petaluma’s Torkelson gets $8.4 million deal from Tigers

No. 1 overall draft pick Spencer Torkelson and the Detroit Tigers agreed to a minorleague contract Tuesday, and the team said the infielder will join its player pool for this abbreviated season.

The Petaluma native’s deal includes $8,418,800, of which $8,416,300 is a signing bonus and $2,500 is a newly created contract execution bonus that is not in the usual structure of initial majorleague contracts. He is to receive $102,500 within 30 days of the deal’s approval by

Major League Baseball, and 50% of the rest on each July 1 in 2021 and 2022.

The slot value for the pick was $8,415,300.

Undrafted out of Casa Grande High School, Torkelson hit 54 home runs at Arizona State. The Tigers took the first baseman with the top pick, then said they intended to try him at third.

He’ll get a chance to show what he can do, sooner rather than later. Detroit announced 58 selections for its player pool Sunday, leaving two spots open. Tuesday, the Tigers said Torkelson will be added to that group.

Torkelson hit .340 with six home runs and 11 RBIs in 17 games this year during a college season shortened by the coronavirus pandemic.

Major League Baseball said that a team will not specifically announce a COVID19 injuredlist placement for a player who is removed from the club after testing positive, just an IL trip. MLB’s operations manual says a positive test, exhibiting symptoms or exposure to someone who has had the virus are cause for placement on the new COVID19 IL.