LIKE A DREAM
Torres gets call to bigs
was ting MOOSIC, Instead, getting promoted, Gleyber punished. Pa. — his He Torres thought ticket is get- he is punched The Yankees’ and his top dream prospect is here. was removed from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre obscurity and into The Bronx spotlight on Saturday, the 21-year-old learning the news 636 days after the 2016 Aroldis Chapman trade. happy,”
Torres “[I’m said feeling] at PNC super Field after informing his parents, who were in tears and whom he hopes can make the trip for his debut. “It’s like a dream is coming true.”
Torres was pulled in the seventh inning, and his antenna was raised. Earlier, he had grounded to the pitcher and spiked his bat as he jogged to first. Manager Bobby Mitchell wanted to wait for the team to be a part of the celebration, so he let Torres stew. After the 6-5 loss at PNC Field, Mitchell told everyone about the call-up, a smile dawning on Torres’ face and teammates breaking out into a party. “He deserves it. He’s ready,” said Mitchell, who predicted he could develop into an All-Star. “Look for big things from him.” The question is from which position. Torres has predominantly played second and third in 14 SWB games, positions of weakness for the Yankees until recently, as Miguel Andujar has begun hitting at third. Torres said he could and would play anywhere. Brandon Drury has been out with a migraine issue, and Tyler Wade is yet to hit. Neil Walker has struggled, and also could move over to first when Tyler Austin begins serving his suspension. The Yankees decided they couldn’t wait any longer — after already tion long postponing enough to his guarantee promo-another year of team control. The prize of the farm system, who was 17-for-49 (.347) with a home run, a steal and 11 RBIs in 14 games for SWB, is getting a shot. “I think anyone who starts playing baseball dreams about going to the big league,” said Torres, who missed much of last season after Tommy John surgery and then struggled in spring training this year, when he could have won a job. reps comfort, has season. But raked has with come and early Torres more more this in “He’s progress,” still a Mitch- work ell, who coached Torres at Double-A Trenton last year, said as a soft bit of caution. “He’s always known the strike zone, he gets pitches to hit, which is huge. As a young hitter, sky’s the limit for doesn’t And him.” Torres, anticipate from the Venezuela, pressure getting to him. What will he be thinking his first at-bat, in front of screaming fans and given a national audience, a day after playing in front of 4,882? “Try to put the ball in the game and help my team,” a confident Torres said flatly after going 0for-3 in perhaps his final minor league game. Last year, Miguel Andujar was called up in June for a single game fix when and then the Yankees demoted, needed a quick- a bat. Mitchell, though, thinks he has seen the last of the No. 5 prospect in baseball, a righty hitter who would be facing lefty Jaime Garcia of Toronto on Sunday in The Bronx. “Certainly hope so,” Mitchell said. “Speculating, I’d say yes.”