Matt Torra
| IP | 1036 |
|---|---|
| ERA | 4.439 |
| WHIP | 1.358 |
| BB/9 | 1.842 |
| SO/9 | 5.621 |
- Full name Matthew Thomas Torra
- Born 06/29/1984 in Pittsfield, MA
- Profile Ht.: 6'3" / Wt.: 225 / Bats: R / Throws: R
- School Massachusetts
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Drafted in the C-1 round (31st overall) by the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2005 (signed for $1,025,000).
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Torra is the top talent in New England and could be a prime target for the Red Sox, who have six picks before the start of the second round. But their first doesn't come until 23rd overall, and Torra was rising so fast this spring that he may not be around. He should move quickly through the pro ranks as well, and possibly even to Double-A by the end of the summer, because he's one of the most complete pitchers in the draft. Despite pitching on a weak UMass club, everything came together for him this spring. He dedicated himself to getting in better shape and has become a pitching prototype. Big and strong at 6-foot-3 and 225 pounds, Torra gets his fastball up to 92-94 mph, touches 95 and holds the velocity deep into games. He repeats his delivery and has command of two plus pitches: his fastball and a 12-to-6 curve that has been clocked at 83. His changeup needs work but projects as big league average. Torra has learned how to control the pace of a game much better this year and didn't give up a home run in 95 innings, while posting a Division I-best 1.14 ERA--a sharp drop from a 4.90 ERA in 2004. He gave up only 56 hits altogether and walked 16 while holding opponents to a .172 average. Despite those numbers, he was just 6-3 as he was the lone bright spot on a team that went 16-33 overall. He pitched several games with pitch counts of more than 140 or 150 pitches--a workload that raised a few eyebrows among scouts.
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
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Torra soared up draft boards in 2005 and became a supplemental first-round pick after leading NCAA Division I with a 1.14 ERA for a weak Massachusetts team. Almost immediately there were concerns about Torra's arm, however, and he was shut down after just 10 pro innings. It turned out he had a torn labrum in right shoulder, and he had surgery that September. He stayed in extended spring training and got back on the mound at the end of July. He also pitched in instructional league. He didn't look good, but the point was just to get him back on the field and get some healthy innings under his belt. When healthy, Torra features a 92-94 mph fastball and a power curve that can both be strikeout pitches, as well as good command. Aside from his health, Torra has a lot of refinement to do because he has never pitched against advanced competition. The biggest obstacle he faces now is learning to trust his arm again, and showing the confidence to unleash his fastball. Shoulder injuries can lay waste to pitching careers quickly, so this is a pivotal year for Torra to show he can recapture his best stuff. -
Torra was seen as just a solid arm with a weak program entering 2005, but he became a supplemental first-round pick who signed for $1.025 million after leading NCAA Division I with a 1.14 ERA for a 16-33 Massachusetts team. After racking up high pitch counts for the Minutemen, he worked just 10 innings in his pro debut before being shut down with biceps tendinitis. Torra made significant improvements to his physical condition prior to the 2005 season, and his stuff took off. He works low in the strike zone with a 92-94 mph fastball that he can dial up to 96. He throws a power curve with true 12-to-6 break that he can begin or end in the strike zone with equal effectiveness. His mechanics are simple and repeatable. Torra has yet to face any sort of advanced competition. His changeup is still a work in progress. His heavy college workload was a concern to some scouts. Torra should be 100 percent for spring training and will begin 2006 at one of Arizona's two Class A affiliates. He could reach Double-A by the end of the year.
