In what had been a revolving door this season, the Yankees had struggled to find consistency in the leadoff spot. With the playoffs on the horizon, they seem to have finally found their answer in Gleyber Torres.
Since being acquired by the Yankees back in 2016 from the Cubs in the Aroldis Chapman trade, Torres has always had high expectations. But it wasn’t always smooth sailing. For every good year, it seemed like a down one followed.
In 2018 and 2019, his first two years with the team, Torres had perhaps his two best years in
Pinstripes, garnering All Star nods in both campaigns and even hitting a career high in home runs in 2019 with 38.
What seemed to be the perfect start to the career of a player that would have lifetime success in Pinstripes hit a speedbump. As Torres, who hit over .270 in both of his first two seasons in the league, was unable to hit over .260 in the three following years. Additionally, after
the departure of longtime shortstop Didi Gregorious, Torres was moved from second to short,
where he struggled to find his footing at the position.
In a shortened 60 game season in 2020, Torres made nine errors in 40 games. The following season wasn’t much better, but midway through the 2021 season, he was moved back to second base, which also seemed to light a spark in him offensively.
In the last three seasons since moving back to second base, Torres didn’t just perform better
in the field, but at the plate as well. In the last previous three seasons, he posted a .261 batting average, 63 home runs and 203 RBI. But 2024 presented a new challenge for him, in a move to the leadoff spot.
The Yankees struggled to find a consistent leadoff hitter for much of the season. Anthony
Volpe, Alex Verdugo, and DJ LeMahieu all found time at the top of the lineup, but none were
able to be the table setters that superstars Juan Soto and Aaron Judge needed.
But on July 24, the Yankees thrusted Torres into the leadoff spot and he has been everything the Yankees have needed and more. Since that date, Torres is hitting .299 with five homers, 23 RBI and an OPS of .770.
In the last 10 games especially, Torres has been steller, hitting .318 with two home runs and five RBI. But the most crucial stat for him is OBP, which in the last 10 games is .348.
With Soto and Judge batting directly behind him, getting on base is of much importance to the Yankees success. Additionally, Torres, who has struggled defensively at times recently, has been stellar at second base, having cut down significantly on the number of errors he made, and providing strong defense on the right side of the infield.
Torres’ spark comes at the opportune time to the Yankees, who are 29-20 since July 24, and have won five of their last six games. If the Yankees are to do anything during the postseason, he will be a crucial part of their offense.
