(Photo: Nicholas Badders/WCSN)
Arizona State freshman, Spencer Torkelson, is well on his way into the history books.
The 6”1’ 205 lb freshman from Petaluma, Calif. hit a game-tying home run Sunday afternoon in ASU’s 3-2 loss to Oklahoma State University. The home run was Torkelson’s team leading seventh of the season in just 12 games.
Torkelson is on pace to break MLB’s all-time home run leader Barry Bonds’ record of 11 home runs as a freshman set in 1983.
“I didn’t know that honestly,” Torkelson admitted postgame Sunday. “I kind of wanted to look at the freshman record then I was like no, it’s whatever. I’m just going to keep doing my best and hopefully I’ll catch up.”
Although Torkelson is being compared to Bonds, the freshman wants to leave his own legacy in Tempe.
“I don’t model my game after anyone,” Torkelson said. “I want to be myself. But I love hitters that have had success. Barry Bonds had a lot of success in the game, he had a great approach, quick hands, he could react to any pitch and was a great two-strike hitter, also with power.”
The freshman is already gaining respect from other college. He was intentionally walked by Cowboys’ reliever Carson Teel in the bottom of the 10th inning with ASU trailing Oklahoma State 3-2 and junior Gage Canning on second base in favor of facing freshman Gage Workman.
“It’s an honor, I mean next guy up, I have a lot of faith in Gage Workman,” Torkelson said. “He’s going to come through a lot for us this year, but yeah it’s an honor getting walked like that.”
Torkelson currently has a .364 batting average in 44 at-bats. He is also leading the Sun Devils in runs, doubles and RBI’s.
When asked about Torkelson’s freshman season, ASU head coach Tracy Smith had nothing but high praise for him.
“He’s a special hitter, and notice I said hitter, not a home run hitter,” Smith said. “He gives good at-bats. I would tell everybody enjoy this one because he’s one of those rare hitters that don’t come around very often. Sun Devil fans will be lucky to see this guy for the next few years.”
With 43 games remaining in the season, Torkelson has the chance to not only break the freshman home run record but also has a chance to surpass Mitch Jones who holds the ASU all-time record by any Sun Devil player with 27 set in 2000.
ASU’s schedule only gets harder from here, especially when the team begins conference play. But there’s no doubt that Torkelson is headed is headed in the right direction, and fans of ASU should keep an eye out for historic first year from the talented first baseman.
