Luis Torrens Stats & Scouting Report

AB	118
AVG	.229
OBP	.292
SLG	.373
HR	3

Full name Luis Alfonso Torrens
Born 05/02/1996 in Valencia, Venezuela
Profile Ht.: 6'0" / Wt.: 217 / Bats: R / Throws: R
Debut 04/03/2017

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

The 2014 season looked so promising for Torrens, a catcher whom the Yankees plucked out of Venezuela for $1.3 million two years prior. He was aggressively assigned to low Class A Charleston as an 18-year-old, but a shoulder strain limited him to just nine games there before requiring a trip to the disabled list. He returned later in the year at short-season Staten Island and hit well enough to earn a spot in the league's all-star game. Slated for a return to Charleston in 2015, Torrens was again struck down with shoulder problems. Before the season, he was diagnosed with a torn labrum in his right shoulder and missed the season after having surgery to repair the damage. Despite his history, Torrens still has time on his side. He'll be a teenager when the 2016 season begins, and scouts believed before the injury that he'd be an above-average hitter with the potential for power. He had a plus arm before the surgery, but how much of his arm strength returns will be a big question entering the year. Once fully recovered, he probably will head back to Charleston.
Torrens played in the infield in Panama's winter league on a team operated by former Yankees international scouting director Carlos Rios, who was his trainer. Torrens signed for $1.3 million and opened eyes last season with his work behind the plate and willingness to learn despite the rigors of a new position and a long season. Managers and scouts alike rave about Torrens' defensive skills, noting how advanced he is as a receiver and a blocker for someone his age and with his limited experience. He turns in 1.85-1.9-second pop times, showing a quick release and accurate throws. The Yankees aggressively moved him to low Class A Charleston to begin the year, but had to cut his time there short because a shoulder strain hindered his ability to throw. He hit better after dropping down to short-season Staten Island, where he was still young for the league. Scouts believe in his ability to hit for average in the long term, and think he'll grow into power once his body finishes developing. His swing has some loft and he's shown gap power. After a quick trip to Charleston in 2014, Torrens is likely to return there for a much longer engagement in 2015.
Torrens trained with Carlos Rios, the Yankees' former international scouting director, and played for Rios' team in Panama's winter league when he was just 15. He signed for $1.3 million in 2012, and even though he's fairly new to catching, he might be the best defender in the current line of Yankees catching prospects. He used an incredibly quick release to throw out an eye-popping 45 percent of basestealers in the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League in 2013. The finer points of the position--blocking, game-calling, receiving--are in development, but the signs are good for the 17-year-old. Despite his inexperience, Torrens held his own when catching high-velocity arms like Luis Severino, Omar Luis and Rony Bautista in the GCL. His bat produces both power and average and projects to be similar to that of fellow Yankees prospect J.R. Murphy down the line, possibly with more home run power. Torrens tired toward the end of the 2013 season, and he probably will start 2014 in extended spring training with a chance to move up to short-season Staten Island in June.

Minor League Top Prospects

Torrens, who signed for $1.3 million in 2012, just turned 18 in May and put together a strong season as the NYPL's youngest player. He continued to stand out for his show-stopping arm, which helped him throw out 42 percent of basestealers this year in the NYPL. His arm rates as plus, but his ability to use it makes it play up. "From his exchange to his throwing, arm accuracy and arm strength, it's the best I've seen, of anybody I've ever had," Staten Island manager Mario Garza said. Torrens also receives easily and his blocking is progressing, giving him a chance to be a standout defensive catcher as he gains experience. Offensively, Torrens has intriguing life in his bat and flashes some pull power, and he could grow into real pop as he fills out his lean, tapered frame. He recognizes spin out of the pitcher's hand and does a good job staying back on breaking balls. He drives balls from gap to gap and handles velocity well. Torrens is a good athlete but a below-average runner. He is confident and poised beyond his years.
Torrens was the Yankees? top acquisition during last year?s international signing period, agreeing to terms for $1.3 million on July 2 from the program of former Yankees international scouting director Carlos Rios. After making noise during extended spring training and a strong start in the GCL, Torrens understandably tired down the stretch in his first pro season with the grind of catching for the first time in his life. While the final numbers may not reflect it, Torrens? calling card is his bat. He has a sound hitting approach and a loose, easy swing with good hand-eye coordination. He recognizes breaking pitches and showed the patience to take walks. Even though he doesn?t show much power yet, his swing generates loft and could enable him to grow into a tick above-average power. A shortstop for most of his life with experience at third base, Torrens initially resisted teams? desire to see him catch before agreeing to work out behind the plate for the Yankees a few months before July 2. That look helped convince New York to sign him. Torrens? receiving made progress, but he?s still raw in his blocking, as he committed 13 passed balls in 32 games. However, he has a strong arm with a quick exchange and sharp accuracy, which helped him lead the GCL by erasing 45 percent of basestealers.