Gleyber Torres
OK, let’s start with the prospect that required some stretching for this slideshow.
Through 10 games in the Arizona Fall League, the Yankees’ number two prospect Gleyber Torres is slashing .306/.405/.611 with an OPS of 1.016 and three home runs. In 36 at-bats, the 19-year-old Venezuelan totaled 22 bases, tied for the most in the league with at least 10 games played.
Although listed as a shortstop, New York is testing the 19-year old at second base at this stage of his career. Perhaps they consider Didi Gregorius to be the long-term option at short? Whatever the reason is, Torres is doing a fine job over there and is on a tear in the AFL.
Take note, Starlin Castro.
The last two AFL MVP’s were Yankees’ prospects and made their major league debuts in the same year. Albeit, Torres is much younger than Greg Bird and Gary Sanchez, but remember the Cubs’ prospect that forced Castro out of Chicago?
The highly praised project Addison Russell forced himself into the picture with a .295/.350/.508 slash line with 13 homers in 2014 and by 2015, he had moved Castro from shortstop to second before general manager Theo Epstein shipped him to the Bronx.
So, while Torres has much more developing to do, the career .282 minor league hitter sure can drive himself into at least major league consideration if he carries his tremendous AFL performance into the 2017 regular season.
He may not be able to drive out one of three shortstops in Yankees’ history to hit at least 20 HR and bat over .275 (Didi), but may be able to force Brian Cashman to wager options for a second baseman who owns a -2.1 career wins above average.
