Ramon Torres

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Kansas City Royals #24 prospect in 2017
  From 2009 to 2011, the Royals signed Torres, Humberto Arteaga, Orlando Calixte and Raul A. Mondesi internationally and drafted Christian Colon and Jack Lopez in an attempt to find a long-term shortstop. While Mondesi appears to be Alcides Escobar's heir apparent for 2018, and Colon--the fourth overall pick in 2010--fills a utility infielder role in Kansas City, none of the others have developed for the Royals. Torres, a member of the 40-man roster, presents them with a viable utilityman option. He doesn't have Mondesi's speed or power or Arteaga's pure range, but he's a well-rounded and versatile middle infielder. He has played a lot of second base in deference to Mondesi and is a plus defender, but he's also above-average at shortstop thanks in part to his plus arm. He plays third base as well. A switch-hitter, Torres doesn't project to hit enough from either side to be more than a backup. He's a 40 hitter with 20 power on the 20-to-80 scouting scale, but his defensive acumen and put-it-in-play approach could make him a bench candidate. Torres will return to Triple-A Omaha in 2017.
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  Ranked Kansas City Royals #20 prospect in 2016
  Playing on the same teams with Raul A. Mondesi, Torres, a natural shortstop himself, has often had to play elsewhere. In the long run that may help his case for a big league job because he's developed defensive versatility for a possible future utility role. Torres is an excellent defender with soft hands and smooth infield actions. He is an above-average defender at shortstop with a plus arm and is a plus defender at second or third. Offensively, the switch-hitting Torres puts the ball in play enough to project as a fringe-average hitter, albeit with well-below-average power. He looks more comfortable from the right side of the plate, but his lefty swing is usable. A fringe-average runner, Torres has enough hitting ability to be a potential second-division regular thanks to his excellent glove. Still, his likely role is a versatile infielder who provides quality infield defense. With Mondesi ticketed for Triple-A Omaha in 2016, the Royals could leave Torres at Double-A to let him get more regular time at shortstop or he could continue sharing time at second base and shortstop with Mondesi in Triple-A.
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  Ranked Kansas City Royals #22 prospect in 2013
  If Kansas City didn't have so many interesting shortstop prospects, Torres would get significantly more attention. As it is, he's intriguing but ranks behind Adalberto Mondesi, Orlando Calixte, Jack Lopez and Humberto Arteaga. Torres wore down at the end of each of his first two pro seasons but has added strength and held up better in the Arizona League last year. The Royals have spread him out in his stance, giving him a more balanced swing. A switch-hitter, he has an excellent batting eye and a good two-strike approach. He's a tick above-average as a runner. At shortstop, Torres has average range, soft hands and a plus arm. His on-base skills give him a chance to be a top-of-the-order hitter, but he's a long way from Kansas City and may spend another year in Rookie ball. He may end up moving to second base because of the logjam of shortstops in the organization.

• December, 2015 Scouting Report
  Playing on the same teams with Raul A. Mondesi, Torres, a natural shortstop himself, has often had to play elsewhere. In the long run that may help his case for a big league job because he's developed defensive versatility for a possible future utility role. Torres is an excellent defender with soft hands and smooth infield actions. He is an above-average defender at shortstop with a plus arm and is a plus defender at second or third. Offensively, the switch-hitting Torres puts the ball in play enough to project as a fringe-average hitter, albeit with well-below-average power. He looks more comfortable from the right side of the plate, but his lefty swing is usable. A fringe-average runner, Torres has enough hitting ability to be a potential second-division regular thanks to his excellent glove. Still, his likely role is a versatile infielder who provides quality infield defense. With Mondesi ticketed for Triple-A Omaha in 2016, the Royals could leave Torres at Double-A to let him get more regular time at shortstop or he could continue sharing time at second base and shortstop with Mondesi in Triple-A.