Gleyber Torres

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Gleyber Torres
Caracas, Venezuela
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
MLB debut
April 22, 2018, for the New York Yankees
MLB statistics
(through 2023 season)
Batting average.267
Home runs123
Runs batted in378
Teams
Career highlights and awards

Gleyber David Torres Castro (born December 13, 1996) is a Venezuelan professional baseball shortstop and second baseman for the New York Yankees of Major League Baseball (MLB). He made his MLB debut on April 22, 2018. Torres was an All-Star in 2018 and 2019.

Early life

Torres was born and raised in Caracas by his parents, Eusebio Torres and Ibelise Castro.[1][2] Intrigued by the name "Qleyber," his father decided to name Torres after it because of its uniqueness.[3] Torres grew up in a middle-class household. However, life at home devolved into unrest, with many citizens rebelling against the government in the wake of constant food shortages, rampant crime and widespread violence.[4]

Torres started playing baseball at the age of four as a center fielder, catcher, pitcher, and eventually shortstop.[5] His passion for baseball grew watching games on TV, while idolizing his favorite player Omar Vizquel. Torres also played basketball briefly in high school, but he quit the sport on his father's instructions in order to focus on baseball.

Academies began to take notice of Torres's talent and wanted to help him become a professional. At 14, Torres moved to Maracay to enroll in an academy that had contacts with MLB scouts. He was sought out by the Chicago Cubs and signed a contract with the team.

Professional career

Chicago Cubs (2014–2016)

Torres signed with the

Class A-Short Season Northwest League. In 50 games for the two teams combined, he hit .297/.386/.440 with two home runs
.

Torres with the Cubs during spring training in 2015

In 2015, Torres began the season with the

runs batted in
(RBI).

Torres started the 2016 season with Myrtle Beach.[9]

New York Yankees

On July 25, 2016, the Cubs traded Torres,

AFL Most Valuable Player.[14] At the age of 19, Torres was the youngest player in the AFL, and the youngest player in history to win the AFL MVP.[15] He was ranked after the 2016 season as the Yankees' top prospect by Baseball America.[16]

Torres was listed the fifth best prospect in baseball entering the 2017 season by

Tommy John surgery.[21] He finished the 2017 season batting .287/.383/.480 with seven home runs and 34 RBI for the two teams combined.[22] The Yankees added him to their 40-man roster after the season.[23]

Entering the 2018 season, Torres was labeled the fifth-best prospect in baseball and the best shortstop prospect by MLB.com.

Miguel Andujar and others for a spot on the opening day roster. On March 13, 2018, Torres was optioned to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre to begin the year.[26] He was pulled out of the game on April 22 after six innings. Torres initially thought it was punishment for not hustling earlier in the game, but was called into manager Bobby Mitchell's office where he was told of his promotion to the Major Leagues.[27]

2018

Torres during Players Weekend in 2018

Torres made his MLB debut on April 22, 2018, as the second-baseman against the

American League Rookie of the Month for May. He slashed of .317/.374/.659 scoring 13 runs, 26 hits, nine home runs and 24 RBI.[37]

On July 4, Torres went on the 10-day disabled list due to a right hip strain.[38] After batting .294 with 15 home runs and 42 RBI over 218 at-bats and boasting a .905 OPS, Torres was selected to the 2018 All-Star Game, his first All-Star appearance, but he did not play in the game.[39]

For the week ending on September 2, Torres was once again named AL Player of the week. On September 29, Torres hit the Yankees 265th home run of 2018, surpassing the 1997

American League Rookie of the Year Award, behind Shohei Ohtani, who won the award, and Andújar.[40]

2019

Torres in 2019

Following the 2018 season, Gleyber signed a one-year contract with the Yankees.[41] For his sophomore season, on April 4, 2019, Torres became the fourth youngest Yankee with four hits and three extra base hits in a game since Joe DiMaggio did it in 1936. Torres went 4-for-4 with a double, two home runs and four RBI against the Baltimore Orioles. On June 19, 2019, Torres hit his 39th career home run and his first career grand slam off Oliver Drake of the Tampa Bay Rays. Torres hit his second career grand slam on August 2, 2019 against Eduardo Rodríguez of the Boston Red Sox. On August 12, the Venezuelan scored his 13th home run against the Orioles, setting a record in the divisional era.[42] On August 22, Torres hit his 30th home run, thus becoming the second Yankee to hit 30 or more home runs in a single season aged 22 or younger, joining Joe DiMaggio who hit 46 home runs in 1937. On July 9, Torres was announced as an American League All-Star for the second time in his career, first time being in 2018.[41] In the All-Star game, Torres notched one hit in two at bats.[43] His 38 home runs made him the second ever middle infielder after Alex Rodriguez to do so before turning 23, and third Yankees player since DiMaggio and Mickey Mantle to hit at least 20 home runs in two different seasons before the age of 23. Torres finished the 2019 regular season batting .278 and went on to hit .417 in the 2019 American League Division Series.[44]

On October 13, 2019, Torres became the youngest second baseman in MLB history, and the third youngest overall (Mantle, Tony Kubek) to recorded at least four RBIs in a game, and youngest ever for at least five RBIs.

Gleyber ended the 2019 campaign with 38 home runs and a slugging percentage of .535, proving to be a big part of the dangerous New York Yankees lineup.[44] He finished 17th in MVP voting in 2019, with his teammate D.J. Lemahieu finishing fourth.[45]

2020

In the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, Torres slashed .243/.356/.368 with three home runs and 16 RBI in 42 games.[46] On defense, he led all AL shortstops with nine errors.

2021–2022

In 2021, Torres slashed .259/.331/.366 across a total of 459 at bats. He had nine home runs and 51 RBIs as well.[44] After struggling at shortstop, the Yankees moved Torres back to second base in September.[47]

The Yankees acquired Isiah Kiner-Falefa to play shortstop before the 2022 season, keeping Torres at second base.[48]

In 2022, he batted .257/.310/.451 in 526 at bats with 24 home runs and 76 RBIs.[49]

2023

The year began amid rumors about the Yankees trying to trade Torres.[50] The Yankees failed to sign Torres before the arbitration deadline. Torres reportedly sought $10.2 million while the team offered him $9.7 million. However, both agreed to a one-year contract amounting $9.95 million on January 29.[51] On April 3, during a game against the Philadelphia Phillies, Torres hit his 100th career home run, a solo shot to right/center field. He became the 7th youngest Yankee of all-time to do so.[52] For the 2023 season, Torres had a .273 batting average, 25 home runs, 68 RBIs, and 13 stolen bases. He was named a finalist for the Silver Slugger Award.[53]

Personal life

Torres met his long-time girlfriend Elizabeth in his hometown of Caracas in 2014. They were married in April 2017,[1][54] and had their first child, a son, on March 20, 2022.[55]

References

  1. ^ a b "Gleyber Torres opens up about his past". MLB.com. Retrieved June 28, 2018.
  2. ^ a b Waldstein, David (March 20, 2017). "Yankees Capitalize on 2nd Chance With Young Star Who Got Away - The New York Times". The New York Times. Retrieved April 21, 2018.
  3. ^ "Yankees' prospect Gleyber Torres tells story of original first name". NJ.com. Retrieved June 28, 2018.
  4. ^ "Unrest in Venezuela a constant for Torres". Newsday. Retrieved June 28, 2018.
  5. ^ Tribune, Tom Noie South Bend. "Teenager Torres mature beyond years for Cubs". South Bend Tribune. Retrieved June 28, 2018.
  6. ^ "Cubs, top Venezuelan Torres agree to deal". Chicago Cubs. July 2, 2013. Retrieved April 15, 2015.
  7. ^ Noie, Tom. "Teenager Torres mature beyond years for Cubs". South Bend Tribune. Retrieved November 19, 2016.
  8. ^ "Chicago Cubs prospect Gleyber Torres moves up to Class A Advanced Myrtle Beach Pelicans". MiLB.com. September 2, 2015. Retrieved November 19, 2016.
  9. ^ Gonzales, Mark (April 4, 2016). "Cubs top prospects Gleyber Torres, Ian Happ assigned to Class-A Myrtle Beach". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved November 19, 2016.
  10. ^ Gonzales, Mark (July 25, 2016). "Cubs land marquee closer Aroldis Chapman from Yankees". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved July 25, 2016.
  11. ^ "The Next Derek Jeter? The Yankees Are Suddenly Full of Possibilities". The New York Times. July 31, 2016. Retrieved November 19, 2016.
  12. ^ "Yankees' Gleyber Torres, Jorge Mateo already 'most touted middle infield' in minors". July 27, 2016. Retrieved November 19, 2016.
  13. ^ "Gleyber Torres Stats, Highlights, Bio - MiLB.com Stats - The Official Site of Minor League Baseball". Retrieved November 19, 2016.
  14. ^ "Yankees teenage prospect Gleyber Torres named 2016 Arizona Fall League MVP". CBS Sports. November 19, 2016. Retrieved November 19, 2016.
  15. ^ "Yankees prospect Torres named AFL MVP". MiLB.com. Retrieved April 1, 2017.
  16. ^ "Gleyber Torres Stats & Scouting Report". Baseball America. December 13, 1996. Retrieved April 21, 2018.
  17. ^ "BaseballAmerica.com: Prospects: All-Time Top 100 Prospects". www.baseballamerica.com. Retrieved June 19, 2017.
  18. ^ "New York Yankees Place Gleyber Torres on the DL". Call to the Pen. April 20, 2017. Retrieved May 14, 2017.
  19. ^ Feinsand, Mark (January 20, 2016). "Yankees' Gleyber Torres making case for Majors | MLB.com". M.mlb.com. Retrieved April 21, 2018.
  20. ^ "New York Yankees prospect Gleyber Torres to undergo Tommy John surgery, miss remainder of season". Espn.com. June 19, 2017. Retrieved April 21, 2018.
  21. ^ "Torres out for season, will undergo Tommy John". Newsday. Retrieved June 19, 2017.
  22. ^ "Yankees top prospect Gleyber Torres returns to hitting after Tommy John surgery". NY Daily News. October 18, 2017. Retrieved October 18, 2017.
  23. ^ King, George A. (November 20, 2017). "Yankees scramble to keep top-rated farm system together". Nypost.com. Retrieved April 21, 2018.
  24. ^ "2018 Prospect Watch". MLB.com. Retrieved January 28, 2018.
  25. ^ "Gleyber Torres ranked No. 1 shortstop prospect". MLB.com. Retrieved May 30, 2018.
  26. ^ "Yankees send Gleyber Torres to minor-league camp". Newsday. Retrieved March 13, 2018.
  27. ^ "How Gleyber Torres reacted to first big-league call-up". NJ.com. Retrieved June 28, 2018.
  28. ^ Knobler, Danny (April 22, 2018). "Gleyber Torres debuts for Yankees". MLB.com. Retrieved August 26, 2018.
  29. ^ Hoch, Bryan (April 23, 2018). "Gleyber Torres collects first MLB hit". MLB.com. Retrieved April 23, 2018.
  30. ^ "Andujar, Torres and streaking Yankees top Indians 7-6". Archived from the original on May 15, 2018. Retrieved May 15, 2018.
  31. ^ "Gleyber Torres hits walk-off HR as Yankees complete sweep of Indians". MLB. Retrieved May 6, 2018.
  32. ^ Fitzpatrick, Mike. "Gleyber Torres becomes youngest Yankee ever to hit a walk-off homer". chicagotribune.com. Retrieved May 15, 2018.
  33. ^ "Gleyber Torres puts himself alongside Mantle with first multi-homer game". SNY. Retrieved May 21, 2018.
  34. ^ "Yankees phenom Gleyber Torres makes American League history with home run". CBSSports.com. Retrieved May 26, 2018.
  35. ^ "Gleyber Torres named AL Player of the Week presented by W.B. Mason". MLB.com. Retrieved May 29, 2018.
  36. ^ Martin, Dan (May 30, 2018). "Gleyber Torres caps Yankees comeback with more walk-off magic". New York Post. Retrieved May 30, 2018.
  37. ^ "Yankees' Torres, Pirates' Meadows named Rookies of the Month for May". MLB.com. Retrieved June 28, 2018.
  38. ^ "Gleyber Torres to DL with right hip strain". MLB. Retrieved July 4, 2018.
  39. ^ Kernan, Kevin (July 8, 2018). "Yankees have at least four All-Stars — including Gleyber Torres". Nypost.com. Retrieved August 26, 2018.
  40. ^ "Shohei Ohtani beats out Yankees' Miguel Andujar, Gleyber Torres for AL Rookie of the Year".
  41. ^ a b Spotrac.com. "Gleyber Torres". Spotrac.com. Retrieved December 8, 2020.
  42. ^ Nesbitt, Andy (August 12, 2019). "Yankees' Gleyber Torres sets divisional era record with 13th home run against Orioles". USA TODAY. Retrieved July 9, 2021.
  43. ^ "Gleyber Torres Baseball Stats by Baseball Almanac". www.baseball-almanac.com. Retrieved December 11, 2020.
  44. ^ a b c "Gleyber Torres Stats". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved March 29, 2020.
  45. ^ "2019 Awards Voting". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved December 11, 2020.
  46. ^ "Gleyber Torres 2020 Batting Game Logs". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved July 9, 2021.
  47. ^ "Yanks shift struggling Torres back to 2nd base". September 13, 2021.
  48. ^ "Why did Yankees' Gleyber Torres go from awful at shortstop to solid at second? It's simple, Aaron Boone says". June 17, 2022.
  49. ^ "Gleyber Torres Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Rookie Status & More".
  50. ^ "Yankees' Gleyber Torres talks trade rumors amid rising prospects Anthony Volpe, Oswald Peraza". NJ.com. March 2023.
  51. ^ "Gleyber Torres agrees to $9.95M contract to stay in the Bronx". PinstripesNation.com. January 30, 2023. Retrieved May 11, 2023.
  52. ^ "Watch ESPN: Online Live Sports, Replays, Highlights".
  53. ^ https://www.mlb.com/news/silver-slugger-award-finalists-2023
  54. ^ Barker, Barbara (June 3, 2017). "Unrest in Venezuela a constant for Yankees prospect Gleyber Torres". Newsday. Retrieved August 26, 2018.
  55. ^ "New father Torres searching for rebirth with Yankees". MLB.com.

External links