Gleyber Torres hasn’t been acting his age, and the Yankees are thrilled about that.
The 21-year-old rookie infielder hasn’t even played two full weeks in the Major Leagues, yet, Torres has already displayed his advanced abilities at the plate and in the field. Since his Big League debut on April 22, he has slashed .317/.356/.390 in 45 at-bats, and on the defensive side, he hasn’t hesitated to flash the leather and his quick hands.
Torres’ first signature moment came in the Yankees’ 6-5 comeback win over the Astros on Thursday at Minute Maid Park, when he a delivered a game-tying, two-run single in the ninth inning. It was the first multi-RBI game of Torres’ career, and he became the youngest Yankee to drive in three or more runs in a game since Derek Jeter did so back in 1995.
The Yankees have started 11-1 in the Gleyber Torres Era. Whether or not his promotion from Triple-A was the spark the Yankees needed, it’s no coincidence that the youngster’s presence in the clubhouse is making an impact.
“Everybody right now is on the same page. We compete every day,” Torres told the YES Network after Thursday’s game. “I learn every day, try to take a little bit of experience every day. All of my teammates help me. I try to do my job every day. Don’t try to do too much and help my team is the most important thing to me.”
GLEYBER TORRES TIES THE GAME.
IT AIN’T OVER ‘TIL IT’S OVER.#YANKSonYES pic.twitter.com/SYNKVSYiSM
— YES Network (@YESNetwork) May 3, 2018
Torres’ big hit kept the game alive, but Aaron Judge knocked in the go-ahead run on a fielder’s choice groundout. When reporters asked Judge about Torres, he had a subtle smirk on his face.
“I don’t think he’s 21,”Judge told YES. “The way he plays, the way he handles himself and makes adjustments. To take that curveball that he got in that late situation and drive it like that, you don’t see that too often in a young guy. He was up there and he was attacking, he was swinging. He’s confident and he trusts his team and the people behind him. So, you’ve got to love having a guy like that in your lineup.”
The Yankees’ front office and coaching staff were sure of Torres’ talent, but Aaron Boone told YES that Torres’ level of maturity has stood out the most.
“Poise, he’s got that in spades,” Boone said. “He’s beyond his years. He plays with a confidence and maturity.”
To make things even sweeter for the Yankees, Aroldis Chapman recorded the save in Thursday’s game. Back in July 2016, Chapman was dealt from New York to the Chicago Cubs, and in return, the Yankees acquired a prospect package that was headlined by Torres, who was just 19.
If you want to connect with Tom Hanslin, email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter @tomhanslin.
