Gleyber Torres makes a late-season push to salvage Yankees career

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Aaron Boone’s experiment with Gleyber Torres as the Yankees’ leadoff hitter is showing renewed promise. The second baseman, who began the year in the top spot but stumbled out of the gate, is making a strong case for his return to that key role.

Initially slotted ahead of stars like Juan Soto and Aaron Judge, Gleyber Torres struggled under the pressure. In his first 12 games, he managed just a .200 batting average with a .521 OPS, prompting Boone to drop him in the lineup. Anthony Volpe took over as the leadoff hitter in the 13th game, but as his performance plateaued—along with those of Ben Rice and Alex Verdugo—Boone reconsidered. On August 16 against Detroit, Gleyber Torres was reinstalled at the top of the order, a move that has since paid dividends.

In the seven games following his return to the leadoff spot, Gleyber Torres has posted an encouraging .406 on-base percentage. Although he went 1-for-4 in Friday’s game, he has gone 7-for-26 (.269) overall, with six walks and five strikeouts since the switch. Even in less successful at-bats, Gleyber Torres has displayed resilience, consistently working deep into counts.

Gleyber Torres polishes game as season wanes

One standout example of Gleyber Torres’ improved approach came during Thursday’s win over the Guardians. Over five plate appearances, he saw 31 pitches, showcasing his ability to grind out at-bats. His night included a single, two walks—one of which came after a 10-pitch duel—and two strikeouts.

Boone noted that while Gleyber Torres hasn’t dramatically changed his approach since returning to the leadoff spot, he has been trending positively. The Yankees skipper praised the second baseman as a talented hitter who has faced his share of challenges this season but has shown more consistency over the past month. Despite an overall OPS of .664, weighed down by a slow start, Boone highlighted Gleyber Torres’ steady ability to control the strike zone and extend at-bats throughout the year.

“I think he’s just a really good hitter that’s kind of had some struggles this year,” he said. “For the better part of over a month, more consistent at-bats. “I think all year he’s done a good job with the strike zone, even when he’s had some struggles. A lot of long at-bats — he’s continuing to do that.”

With Gleyber Torres finding his rhythm at a pivotal time, he may have solidified his place at the top of the Yankees‘ order as they push toward the season’s final stretch.

Gleyber Torres remains unfazed by the prospect of batting ahead of heavyweights like Soto and Judge, two of the game’s premier hitters. While acknowledging that pitchers might adjust their approach when facing him with such power hitters on deck, possibly opting for more fastballs, the Venezuelan doesn’t feel additional pressure in this role.

“The last, I guess, couple weeks, I feel I’ve gotten better,” he said Torres. “Just trying to put 100% into every at-bat and … try to pass the baton to the other guys behind me.”

Gleyber Torres credits his recent uptick in performance to continuous adjustments to his swing rather than his position in the lineup. He noted a noticeable improvement over the past couple of weeks, highlighted by his contribution to the Yankees’ 3-0 win over the Rockies in The Bronx. Leading off with a double, Gleyber Torres extended his on-base streak to 18 games, posting a .275 batting average during this stretch. He emphasized his commitment to each at-bat, focusing on setting the table for the big bats behind him.

As free agency looms at season’s end, Gleyber Torres has been clear about his desire to stay with the Yankees, though his future is uncertain, especially with the expected financial considerations of retaining Juan Soto. This season has statistically been one of Gleyber Torres’ weakest, marked by a notable benching for lack of hustle on a ball he thought was a home run.

A strong finish could not only bolster his standing but also provide a crucial boost for a Yankees team that has struggled to find a reliable leadoff hitter. Manager Aaron Boone underscored Gleyber Torres’ value to the lineup, particularly when he’s hitting well, which lengthens the batting order. Boone also praised his patience at the plate, noting that he ranks 11th in MLB among qualified hitters, averaging 4.22 pitches per plate appearance.

This late-season surge could be pivotal for Gleyber Torres’ future with the Yankees and the team’s postseason push.

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