A LASTING IMPRESSION
PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. — When Gleyber Torres tore up the Arizona Fall League last season at age 19, it was hard to predict what he would come up with an encore. Just a few months later, Torres, just 20, is showing that was no fluke. The infielder continued his torrid spring with two more extra-base hits in the Yankees’ 10-6 loss to the Rays on Tuesday. He’s made a fan of Gary Sanchez, who knows something about taking a league by storm. “For it to be his first spring training, it’s been great for him,” Sanchez said through a translator at Charlotte Sports Park. “There are a lot of expectations on him. He’s been able to show his skills. He’s a young guy with a lot of talent.” Once again, both of Torres’ hits went to the opposite field and as much as his skill-set stands out to Joe Girardi, the manager also likes his approach at the plate. “He’s mature for his age,” Girardi said. “He puts good at- bats up one after another. And he uses the whole field. … He’s a good-looking young hitter.”
Of course, there’s still the reality that Torres has never played above Single-A and is expected to open the season with Double-A Trenton.
General manager Brian Cashman has cautioned that Torres also hasn’t played in cold temperatures.
But so far, he has met every challenge the Yankees have put in front of him.
He started at second base against the Rays, with Girardi pointing out that even if he winds up at shortstop, Torres will have to grow accustomed to playing on the right side of the infield because of the shift.
The defensive changes haven’t impacted him at the plate, where Torres is now 10-for-22 with four doubles, a triple and two home runs.
“This is the first time I’ve faced big league pitching,” Torres said through a translator. “I’m surprised. I’m happy to be having really good results.”
Once Didi Gregorius returns from playing for the Netherlands in the WBC, Torres’ playing time in big league camp could diminish, but he already has made an impression on Girardi and his teammates.
“I don’t think he’s fazed by the situation,” the manager said. “He’s just here to play. … He’s definitely showing people what he can do.”
Including Sanchez, who knows better than most the perils of being a top prospect, since he went from bust to boom seemingly overnight last season.
“Baseball is tricky,” Sanchez said. “If you’re hitting and get hot and are playing good baseball, you have a really good chance of making the big leagues. He’s done a great job for us. He’s close.”
It’s hard to imagine Torres getting to The Bronx this season, but it’s also difficult to fathom him staying in the minors for too much longer if he maintains this pace.
Before his standout performance in the AFL, Torres had a solid season in Single-A with the Cubs’ affiliate in Myrtle Beach and the Yankees’ in Tampa, but he wasn’t doing what he’s doing now.
True to Girardi’s observation that Torres is mature, the prospect insisted he isn’t thinking too much into the future.
“I don’t really think about [the majors],” Torres said. “I’m taking it a day at a time, trying to enjoy the moment. This is my first spring training [in the majors]. It’s a lot of fun and I don’t want to get ahead of myself.”