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Brian Cashman explains reasons for Gleyber Torres promotion

At the beginning of this season, the Yankees made it clear they were in no rush to move top prospect Gleyber Torres through the minor league system. However they also made it clear that Torres’ talent and undeniable maturity left him with the ability to force their hands. Torres needs to master each level before moving up, and after only 32 games at Double-A (2 fewer games than it took Derek Jeter in 1994) the consensus is now that he is ready for Scranton.

Throughout his 32 games in Trenton, in addition to hitting .273/.367/.496 with 5 home runs, 18 RBI and five stolen bases, Torres has been rotated around the infield on defense, seeing time at second and third base as well as his natural shortstop position. Moving forward, the plan for Torres will remain the same in Triple-A as it was in Double-A. The 20-year-old shortstop will continue to play at second and third to continue to develop his versatility around the infield in case he is needed in the Bronx.

When speaking with Joel Sherman of the New York Post, Yankees GM Brian Cashman advised that this plan “is the best way to prepare him to provide protection in case we need him in the majors.” On his reasoning for the promotion, Cashman stated, “He checked every box necessary in that league.”

Earlier in the season, Cashman sent one of his most trusted “lieutenants” to Trenton to scout Torres, and the response was he was ready to move up. Cashman then passed that information on to minor league head, Gary Denbo, and put it in Denbo’s hands to decide when Torress will graduate from Double-A.

On Saturday, Cashman received the call from Denbo confirming it’s time. Cashman then ran the idea by all of his departments including scouting and analytics and all gave the supportive “thumbs up” to promote Gleyber to Triple-A Scranton.

As Torres is set to make his Triple-A debut on Tuesday, it remains to be seen just how long it will take the young phenom to master this next level. As reported by Bryan Hoch of MLB.com, according to a source with inside knowledge of the Yankees’ plans, the focus at Double-A recently had been on getting Torres comfortable at third base.

Although Cashman reiterated to Hoch that the promotion “has nothing to do with the big leagues”, and adding that Torres “really just needs a more challenging league”, there is a path for Torres to the Bronx.

If Chase Headley continues to struggle at the plate and in the field, and Torres keeps showing the Yankees why he’s one of the top prospects in all of baseball, we could see Torres in the Bronx at some point in the second half of the season.

 

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