New York Yankees prospect Gleyber Torres has already proven his worth by snagging the Arizona Fall League MVP award on Saturday.
When the New York Yankees traded Aroldis Chapman, they received a minor league stud in Gleyber Torres from the Chicago Cubs farm system. Currently, the Yankees No. 2 prospect and MLB’s No. 17 prospect, Torres lit up the Arizona Fall League and was ultimately rewarded with the title of AFL MVP.Announced Saturday by Torres on his Twitter account, Torres led the AFL with a .403 batting average and .513 OBP. The youngest player to win a batting title in the AFL, he also slugged three home runs and 25 hits.
This is not the first time Torres was honored in the AFL this season. He also was named AFL Player of the Week twice during his time in Arizona, as well as being named to the AFL All-Star team. At only 19 years old, the Yankees got a good look at the No. 1 ranked prospect in the Cubs farm system and have been more than impressed by what they saw.
In the past two years, various Yankees have found success in the AFL and have made their way to the Bronx in dominant fashion. In 2015, Yankees backstop Gary Sanchez led the AFL in home runs. In 2014, first baseman Greg Bird was named AFL MVP. Torres’ award puts him in good company to make a run for the majors.
However, despite his miraculous MVP performance, it is unlikely that the Yankees will call the fascinating shortstop up this season. Brian Cashman confirmed that Torres will be starting 2017 in Double-A Trenton.
Watching what Torres has done in the AFL, there’s no doubt that the Yankees have a stellar prospect on their hands. His performance in the AFL only further proves that. Ranked sixth among shortstop prospects, according to MLB.com, if Torres keeps performing, the Yankees will have no choice but to call him up.
Congratulations to the AFL MVP and even more congratulations to the Yankees farm system, which is continuously proving to be the best in the major leagues.