ProfileHt.: 5'11" / Wt.: 200 / Bats: R / Throws: R
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Torres pitched just two games in the Rookie-level Dominican Summer League in 1998 before the Pirates brought him to the United States. He has established himself as the hardest thrower in the organization but missed a month in the second half of 2000 with a sore shoulder. Torres' fastball reaches as high as 97-98 mph and consistently settles in around 93-95. Despite being only 5-foot-10, he gets exceptional leverage and throws everything on a downhill plane. The ball seems to jump out of his hand. Torres' strikeout-walk ratio has decreased since he moved to Hickory late in the 1999 season. He needs better movement on his fastball, a tighter slider and an offspeed pitch to combat advanced hitters. Stamina is also a concern because he isn't big. The Pirates aren't sure whether Torres projects as a starter or closer. He’ll stay in the rotation this year, likely beginning the season at high Class A Lynchburg. If he remains a starter, he probably won't see the majors until 2005.
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