Gleyber Torres made a big impression on the New York Yankees after he was acquired from the Chicago Cubs. How quickly could he find his way to the Bronx?
Player Profile
The New York Yankees acquired Torres as part of their big trade in the summer with the Chicago Cubs.
Gleyber David (Castro) Torres was signed as part of the Chicago Cubs’ big 2013 international free agent class that netted them the #1 and #2 rated players from that season’s class, Torres and Eloy Jimenez. Torres was originally from Venezuela.
Torres began his professional career with the Cubs’ Arizona Rookie League team, and after a solid showing, he was promoted for a late season run with the Cubs’ short-season A-ball affiliate in the Northwest League.
Combined between the levels in 2014, he hit .297/.386/.440 with 2 home runs and 10 stolen bases. He also slapped 6 triples and posted a 13.49% walk rate and 18.6% strikeout rate.
At just 18 years of age, Torres played most of the 2015 season at low-A South Bend in the Midwest League. He closed the season helping with high-A Myrtle Beach’s playoff push in the Carolina League playoffs.
Combined, Torres hit .287/.346/.376 with 3 home runs and 22 stolen bases. He also posted an 8.18% walk rate and a 21.38% strikeout rate.
After that solid season, Torres had very solid rankings on national prospect lists. He was ranked #41 overall by Baseball America, #28 by MLB Pipeline, and #41 by Baseball Prospectus.
Torres opened in high-A with Myrtle Beach in the Carolina League. On July 25th, the Cubs traded Torres along with Adam Warren, Billy McKinney, and Rashad Crawford for reliever Aroldis Chapman.
The Yankees assigned Torres to their high-A affiliate in the Florida State League, a notorious pitcher’s league.
Combined, Torres his .270/.354/.421 with 11 home runs and 21 stolen bases at two high-A stops. He also posted a 10.6% walk rate and a 20.11% strikeout rate.
Torres went to the Arizona Fall League and established himself as an elite prospect, hitting .403/.513/.645 with 3 home runs and 4 stolen bases over the 18 games of the AFL. He posted a 14/8 BB/K over 62 at bats and was voted the AFL MVP.
This offseason, Torres has shown his big performance was noticed as he was ranked #5 overall by Baseball America, #3 by MLB Pipeline, and #15 by Baseball Prospectus. I had him #5 in my top 125.
Next: Torres' scouting report