The question heading into spring training for Gleyber Torres was whether he was ready to break through to the majors.
On Sunday he did, making his Yankees debut against the Blue Jays in The Bronx.
Before the game, the 21-year-old was asked if he was ready for the next step: “Yeah,” Torres said. “I’m here.”
The Yankees will find out whether they and their top prospect are right.
After a rough spring training at the plate that saw Torres optioned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre well before the regular season began, Torres responded by going 17-for-49 with an OPS of .903 in 14 games.
With Tyler Wade and Neil Walker struggling at the plate — and Torres having spent enough time in the minors this season to save the Yankees a year of control — the team decided the time was right to call up their top prospect.
“Obviously, I think you all realize how much we value him as a player, short term certainly and for our future,” Aaron Boone said before the game. “[Bringing him up] is something we’ve had conversations about over the last week, about when would be the right time. We feel like he’s ready, he’s checked all the boxes.”
Torres overcame his initial disappointment about getting sent down in March and quickly started hitting.
TorresGetty Images“Nothing changed,’’ Torres said of his approach. “I just got more at-bats, more time. In the minor leagues, I feel better and better. Every day, I felt more comfortable to start the season.”
Wade was sent down to SWB to make room for Torres on the roster. And even though Torres didn’t hit well this spring, he’s done enough to impress some of his new teammates.
“He’s gonna be good, man,” Giancarlo Stanton said. “He is good already. He’s gonna prove himself.”
Stanton compared Torres’ swing to the Cubs’ Javier Baez.
“There’s a lot going on, but it’s very precise,” Stanton said. “It’s short, and there’s not that much movement. He’s got some cool action in there and some pop at the end.”
Greg Bird first played with Torres in the instructional league and the Arizona Fall League in 2016, shortly after Torres was acquired from the Cubs in the deal that sent Aroldis Chapman to Chicago.
“What’s always impressed me is his approach offensively,’’ said Bird, who was rehabbing his shoulder at the time. “I think he’ll do fine. He’s not tall, but he’s thick and has opposite-field power. His ability to hit, stay inside the ball and drive the ball to all fields has always stood out. He’s disciplined, has a good eye and he puts the barrel on the ball.”
After splitting time between third base and second with SWB, Boone said Torres, a natural shortstop, will stay at second in The Bronx, at least for now.
And Boone is confident he’s here to stay — despite not having one particular skill that sets him apart.
“I don’t think there’s anything that’s ‘Wow’ [about him],’’ the manager said. “He’s not going to hit it a mile or wow you with his speed, but he does everything really well on the baseball field. His baseball IQ and baseball clock [are impressive]. He has all the tools. He’s really good defensively at all three positions.”
