Gleyber Torres has made waves by being named the starting second baseman for the American League in the upcoming 2025 MLB All-Star Game, marking his return to the Midsummer Classic after a five-year hiatus. The Detroit Tigers' standout topped the voting among AL second basemen, garnering an impressive 66% of the ballots in Phase 2, surpassing competition like Baltimore's Jackson Holiday. This will be Torres’ third All-Star selection, and he becomes the first Tigers second baseman to start since 2007.

In addition to Torres, the Tigers will see two other players, Javier Báez and Riley Greene, start in the outfield, showcasing a revitalized roster. Torres has been a critical component in the Tigers’ lineup, boasting a .284 batting average with nine homers and 43 RBIs in 2025. His performance has propelled him to a career-best fWAR of 2.3 among second basemen, positioning the Tigers as a competitive force in the league.

The 2023 MLB season has witnessed a notable decline in strikeouts, with teams averaging 8.26 strikeouts per game, the lowest since 2017. This marks a significant change from the strikeout-heavy era epitomized in 2019, when the rate peaked at 8.61 per game. Players like Gleyber Torres, now with the Detroit Tigers, have adapted their approaches, focusing on making contact and putting the ball in play.

Torres, who previously endured high strikeout rates, has refined his batting technique, achieving a remarkable 12.9% strikeout rate this season, significantly lower than the league average. Similarly, Ryan O’Hearn of the Baltimore Orioles has transformed his game, cutting his strikeout rate to 14%, aiming to create more opportunities for his team. Teams like the Arizona Diamondbacks exemplify this shift, as they combine power with a low strikeout rate, highlighting a strategic evolution in MLB.

The Detroit Tigers concluded June with a solid 53-32 record, maintaining a commanding 11.5-game lead in the AL Central. Despite a slight dip in form with series losses to the Cincinnati Reds and Tampa Bay Rays, expert power rankings still place the Tigers firmly in the top tier of MLB teams. USA TODAY has consistently ranked them first for three consecutive weeks, while MLB.com highlights potential All-Star candidates like Gleyber Torres, Riley Greene, and Javier Baez for the upcoming All-Star Game.

ESPN ranks Detroit second but acknowledges Tarik Skubal's impressive statistics, positioning him as a strong contender for the All-Star Game. The Tigers are on pace for their first 100-win season since 1984, which would mark just their sixth time reaching that milestone in franchise history. Amidst these accomplishments, the team has also activated Matt Vierling from the injured list, further solidifying their roster as they head into the second half of the season.

The Detroit Tigers ended their eight-game losing streak on Saturdays with a decisive 10-5 win over the Minnesota Twins, powered by four home runs. Casey Mize pitched a solid 6 2/3 innings, allowing only two runs and improving his ERA to 2.86. The offense was led by Kerry Carpenter, Gleyber Torres, Riley Greene, and Zach McKinstry, all of whom homered in consecutive innings, showcasing the Tigers' power hitting.

Spencer Torkelson contributed to the scoring with a double that led to the first run of the game. The Tigers built a 7-2 lead after four homers in the third through sixth innings. Despite a late rally from the Twins with two runs in the eighth, the Tigers maintained their advantage with consistent hitting and solid defensive plays, including a remarkable home run robbery by Carpenter.

Riley Greene of the Detroit Tigers has made a significant impact in his fourth MLB season, boasting a .295 batting average with 17 home runs and 61 RBIs. After a successful Phase 1 of All-Star Game voting, where he secured over 2.3 million votes—ranking second among AL outfielders—he aims to transition from a reserve to a starter in the upcoming All-Star Game.

Despite his growing recognition, Greene remains focused on team success, stating, "At the end of the day, it doesn't really matter to me if I'm recognized or not. I'm just trying to help this team win." Greene's performance has contributed to projections that could see three Tigers players starting in the All-Star Game, reflecting the team's rising talent and competitive spirit.