Gleyber Torres

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked New York Yankees #1 prospect in 2018
  Torres ranked as the No. 2 prospect available on the 2013 international market when the Cubs signed him for $1.7 million. Chicago traded Torres to the Yankees in July 2016 as part of the four-player package for closer Aroldis Chapman. Chapman returned to the Yankees as a free agent for 2017 on a five-year, $96 million deal, and Torres put together a torrid first three months of the season and looked like he could soon be in line to make his major league debut. Then, on one freak play, everything derailed. After a mid-June promotion from Double-A Trenton to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, Torres tore his left ulnar collateral ligament on a collision at home plate and required season-ending Tommy John surgery on his non-throwing elbow. He's expected to be ready for spring training. When he was on the field, Torres was every bit of the player the Yankees expected when they acquired him. At the plate, he showed the ability to hit for a high average and power, as well a discerning knowledge of the strike zone. In particular, Torres' ability to make quick adjustments set him apart from other high-pedigree prospects. Coaches noted how quickly he would identify the way pitchers were working to get him out, then adjust and close those holes. Defensively, there's no reason Torres can't stick at shortstop, but the emergence of Didi Gregorius in New York necessitated that Torres learn other positions quickly. He shuffled around during his brief season, playing 15 games at third base and 10 more at second base before the injury. He has the above-average range and arm to play those positions or shortstop. If he were to land at third base, he would hit for enough power to profile there. The Yankees were working with Torres on the small things throughout the year. In particular, they were helping him find a consistent pre-set position in the field and getting him to chase fewer pitches out of the zone. He's an average runner, but needs to refine his basestealing technique to increase his efficiency. Torres will likely return to Triple-A for more seasoning so he can be ready to fill a potential hole at second base or third base. Evaluators both inside and outside the organization see all-star potential.
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  Ranked New York Yankees #1 prospect in 2017
  As an amateur, Torres trained in Venezuela with Ciro Barrios, who also worked with Athletics shortstop prospect Franklin Barreto. The Cubs signed Torres on July 2, 2013, for a bonus of $1.7 million as part of the same international haul that brought outfielder Eloy Jimenez to the Chicago organization. Torres also worked with Cubs minor league infield coordinator Jose Flores to help him mold the skills that will help him stay at shortstop for the long term. Yankees general manager Brian Cashman reportedly was given a choice between Torres and Jimenez when negotiating the Aroldis Chapman deal with the Cubs, and he chose the shortstop. Torres joined high Class A Tampa after the trade and slotted in at shortstop despite the presence of Jorge Mateo, another of the system's cadre of shortstops and the organization's No. 1 prospect entering the season. Pushing Mateo to the other side of the bag, Torres continued to hit after the trade. He batted .270/.354/.421 with 11 home runs, 21 stolen bases and 58 walks at two high Class A stops and impressed evaluators in the Carolina (No. 4 prospect) and Florida State (No. 2) leagues. Even with a host of talented middle-infield prospects in the system, Torres shoots to the top of the ranking. He's an excellent bet to stay at shortstop because of his soft, quick hands and smooth actions around the bag. He's also got range to both sides, and an accurate arm with enough strength to handle third base if he switches positions. He also played a little second base in the Arizona Fall League (because there are other players who need time at shortstop) and showed the same smooth actions and instincts at the keystone. Moreover, he looked comfortable turning the double play from that position. Evaluators in the FSL compared his defensive chops with the Reds' Zack Cozart. What makes Torres special, however, is his offensive potential. At just 19 years old he already has excellent pitch recognition skills and has shown the ability to sort through breaking pitches in order to get to the fastball he desires. Early in the season, Torres tried too hard to hit for power and got pull happy, but he showed the ability to adjust and got back to an all-fields approach. Evaluators believe Torres has the ability to hit for plus average and plus power, and this season showed pop to both corners. It's evident in both games and batting practice, but Torres has an uncanny ability to put barrel of the bat on the baseball. To prove it, he opened his AFL campaign with a monster home run to the opposite field at Scottsdale Stadium. Though he has just average speed, he has enough baseball instincts, aggressiveness and intellect to make it play on the bases. After being named MVP of the Fall League, Torres should move up to Double-A Trenton in 2017. He'll continue to be paired with Mateo in what should be a dynamic Trenton lineup. He'll play all of the 2017 season at age 20, and with a good year could position himself to make his big league debut before he turns 22.
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  Ranked Chicago Cubs #1 prospect in 2016
  As an amateur, Torres trained in Venezuela with Ciro Barrios, who in 2012 had Franklin Barreto sign with the Blue Jays for $1.45 million. Torres wasn't thought to be as advanced, but he got a $1.7 million bonus as the Cubs blew past MLB's international bonus slots in 2013. The Cubs also signed Eloy Jimenez that year for $2.8 million, but Torres now out-ranks him as a prospect and is much closer to the big leagues. He's shown tremendous maturity since signing and has endeared himself to club officials. He's particularly become attached to minor league infield coordinator Jose Flores, a Puerto Rico native who was a minor league shortstop in his own playing days in the early 1990s. He's put many Cubs infielders, Torres included, through hundreds of hours of fundamental defensive drills and created a bond with many of the organization's Latin American prospects from all over the region. Torres has learned quickly and thrived, finishing 2015 playing shortstop in the high Class A Carolina League playoffs as Myrtle Beach won the Mills Cup championship. He started the year as one of the youngest players in the low Class A Midwest League and earned the No. 1 prospect spot in the MWL. Torres has four above-average to plus tools, with only power lagging behind--but give him time. Torres had good strength when he signed and has improved his body significantly working with the Cubs' strength and conditioning crew, with a trimmer shape. He combines those tools with a gamer's mentality and a feel for the game on both sides of the ball. Torres' bat-to-ball skills are only mitigated by youthful aggressiveness, and as he gains experience, he should learn which pitches to selectively zone in on and drive more consistently, giving him at least average future power potential. Some club officials give Torres plus future power, particularly to his pull side. He has a knack for the barrel, uses the entire field and has a solid approach, showing a good two-strike approach for his age. That helped him rank ninth in the MWL in batting. He's become a much better baserunner who at times is too aggressive trying to steal but usually maximizes his above-average speed. Defensively, Torres shines with excellent instincts and footwork, giving him average range for shortstop that he pairs with a true plus arm that produces plenty of true throws with carry. Working with Flores, Torres has become efficient, consistent and a reliable defender also capable of the highlightreel play. He continues to pay more attention to pre-pitch positioning and reading hitters to aid his anticipation, to maximize his range. He can be cleaner with his footwork. Torres carries himself with confidence and has natural leadership skills. He showed his age with a 29-for-139 (.209) finish as he wore down at the end of his first full season. Cubs officials say Torres has an "it" factor that belies his age. He doesn't have the loud tools of big league Chicago rookies such as Kris Bryant or Addison Russell, but he's already exceeded the Cubs' expectations. The only problem is where he eventually would fit in Chicago, as the Cubs have an infield glut already. That could make Torres trade bait, particularly if he starts 2016 with a strong first half back at Myrtle Beach. As a shortstop with offensive potential, he could prove to be the Cubs' best trade chip.
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  Ranked Chicago Cubs #8 prospect in 2015
  The Cubs signed the two top-ranked players in the 2013 international signing class, Torres and outfielder Eloy Jimenez, who got more money but is much less polished. A $1.7 million signee, Torres finished his U.S. pro debut in 2014 by earning a promotion to short-season Boise before his 18th birthday. His maturity showed as he maintained his focus despite turmoil in his native Venezuela that prompted his family to move to the U.S. Torres is not the typical teen and draws comparisons with Cubs prospect Albert Almora for his baseball savvy and instincts. His hands, actions and above-average arm fit him for shortstop, and his internal clock helps him make routine plays look routine. His range may fit better at second base, where his bat should carry him. He has an advanced approach for any age, with strength that allows him to drive mistakes to the gaps and fight off pitchers' pitches. He's willing to draw walks and has a chance to be an above-average hitter with fringe-average power down the line. He's an average runner and won't be a big basestealer. Torres is expected to advance to full-season ball with Chicago's new low Class A South Bend affiliate. He's a couple of years away from the system's upper-levels, middle-infield glut and could be trade bait sooner than later.
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  Ranked Chicago Cubs #23 prospect in 2014
  The Cubs blew past the international bonus pool limit in part because they signed both the Nos. 1 and 2 prospects during the July 2 signing period. Dominican outfielder Eloy Jimenez ranked first, and Venezuelan shortstop Gleyber Torres ranked second and signed for $1.7 million. The Cubs had been linked to Torres for a while. He has a compact infielder's build and offers present strength and tools with less long-term projection. Cubs officials like Torres' swing from the right side. He has strength in his legs and could develop solid-average power as he learns his hot zones and adjusts to professional pitching. Scouts like his bat speed and hand-eye coordination, and he might hit enough to be a third baseman down the road. Other scouts like him better at second base, and some see him as a shortstop. Scouts like his infield actions, solid hands and above-average arm strength, but he doesn't have a prototypical fluid, athletic shortstop's body. He should be advanced enough to make his U.S. debut in the Rookie-level Arizona League in 2014.

Minor League Top Prospects

• 
  Ranked Carolina League #4 prospect in 2016
  Torres, a key piece that the Cubs sent to the Yankees to land Aroldis Chapman, stood out for a variety of reasons, especially his defense. Said Salem manager Joe Oliver: "He was the best shortstop by far in the league--he had the strongest arm, hands down. He has really good range and instincts--in the hole, with the backhand, up the middle, you name it. He's a big leaguer. If he stays grounded and continues to work, he'll be in the big leagues pretty fast, I would think." Potomac manager Tripp Keister noted Torres' improvement during the season, including improved power as he learned to pull the ball with backspin while also driving the ball to the opposite field.
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  Ranked Florida State League #2 prospect in 2016
  Acquired from the Cubs in the Aroldis Chapman trade, Torres arrived on a Tampa team that already had the Yankees' top prospect, Jorge Mateo, playing shortstop. Torres promptly pushed Mateo to second base and further established himself as one of the game's best shortstop prospects. Torres isn't as flashy but earned comparisons with the Cubs' Javier Baez for his leg kick, aggression and power potential at the plate, though he's not as twitchy as Baez. He has a knack for the barrel but also has bat speed, with some loft in his swing and pull power. One scout opined that Torres could profile at third base easily if he outgrows shortstop, but no one foresees that. Scouts and managers considered him at least above-average if not plus across the board, including defensively, where he has calm actions and a plus arm.
• 
  Ranked Arizona Fall League #1 prospect in 2016
  It's not always the case that the top prospect in the Arizona Fall League is also the top performer, but that's the case this year with Torres. The headliner of the package sent at the trade deadline from the Cubs to the Yankees for Aroldis Chapman, turned in one of the best performances in the 25-year history of the league--and he's still only 19. He's the youngest player ever to receive the Joe Black award for the MVP, led the league in hitting (.403) and OPS (1.158), and finished second in slugging percentage (.645). It's a solid hit tool over power and speed, but he showed the ability to yank pitches out of the ballpark with three home runs in 62 at-bats. Torres saw time at both middle infield positions, with scouts who saw him in the AFL believing that his long-term position likely will be at second base.
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  Ranked Midwest League #1 prospect in 2015
  Torres was one of the youngest players in the MWL and also one of the best. The 18-year-old was a steady performer both defensively and offensively. His above-average arm is his best asset defensively, for it allows him to make plays in the hole and position himself a little deeper than most shortstops, which alleviates some of the concerns about his ordinary range. At the plate, Torres wears out the opposite-field gap but he also has the power to pull the ball over the left-field wall, though he only does it very rarely at this point. "He has an unbelievable arm and great instincts," Beloit manager Fran Riordan said. "He was the best shortstop in the league. He was special. He put together solid, pro at-bats. He was a tough out and he made plays in the hole you don't see."
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  Ranked Arizona Complex League #14 prospect in 2014
  While Cubs outfielder Eloy Jimenez is a high-risk, high-reward hitter, his teammate Torres has a safer profile and higher floor. At the plate, he hits with a compact stroke, good balance, at least average bat speed and very good hand-eye coordination. Torres is a selective and patient hitter who hits line drives into the gaps and has the ability to drive the ball the other way. He improved at the plate as the season progressed and finished the year with a solid cameo at short-season Boise. He's an average to slightly above-average runner who is still learning better baserunning technique. Torres projects to be able to stay at shortstop. While not flashy, he has good actions and an arm that grades as average to slightly above. "He made adjustments that normally a 17-year-old wouldn't make," Cubs manager Jimmy Gonzalez. "A lot of it was mental adjustments."

Top 100 Rankings

• Ranked Baseball America's #6 prospect in 2018
• Ranked Baseball America's #5 prospect in 2017
• Ranked Baseball America's #41 prospect in 2016

• December, 2016 Scouting Report
  Background: As an amateur, Torres trained in Venezuela with Ciro Barrios, who also worked with Athletics shortstop prospect Franklin Barreto. The Cubs signed Torres on July 2, 2013, for a bonus of $1.7 million as part of the same international haul that brought outfielder Eloy Jimenez to the Chicago organization. Torres also worked with Cubs minor league infield coordinator Jose Flores to help him mold the skills that will help him stay at shortstop for the long term. Yankees general manager Brian Cashman reportedly was given a choice between Torres and Jimenez when negotiating the Aroldis Chapman deal with the Cubs, and he chose the shortstop as the key piece of the deal. Torres joined high Class A Tampa after the trade and slotted in at shortstop despite the presence of Jorge Mateo, another of the system's cadre of shortstops and the organization's No. 1 prospect entering the season. Pushing Mateo to the other side of the bag, Torres continued to hit after the trade. He batted .270/.354/.421 with 11 home runs, 21 stolen bases and 58 walks at two high Class A stops and thoroughly impressed evaluators in the Carolina (No. 4 prospect) and Florida State (No. 2) leagues. Scouting Report: Even with a host of talented middle-infield prospects in the system, Torres shoots to the top of the ranking. He's an excellent bet to stay at shortstop because of his soft, quick hands and smooth actions around the bag. He's also got range to both sides, and an accurate arm with enough strength to handle third base if he switches positions. He also played a little second base in the Arizona Fall League (because there are other players who need time at shortstop) and showed the same smooth actions and instincts at the keystone. Moreover, he looked comfortable turning the double play from that position. Evaluators in the Florida State League compared his defensive chops with the Reds' Zack Cozart. What makes Torres special, however, is his offensive potential. At just 19 years old he already has excellent pitch recognition skills and has shown the ability to sort through breaking pitches in order to get to the fastball he desires. Early in the season, Torres tried too hard to hit for power and got pull happy, but he showed the ability to adjust and got back to an all-fields approach. Evaluators believe Torres has the ability to hit for plus average and plus power, and this season showed pop to both corners. It's evident in both games and batting practice, but Torres has an uncanny ability to put barrel of the bat on the baseball. To prove it, he opened his AFL campaign with a monster home run to the opposite field at Scottsdale Stadium. Though he has just average speed, he has enough baseball instincts, aggressiveness and intellect to make it play on the bases. The Future: After his AFL stint, Torres should move up to Double-A Trenton in 2017. He'll continue to be paired with Mateo in what should be a dynamic Trenton lineup. He'll play all of the 2017 season at age 20, and with a good year could position himself to make his big league debut before he turns 22.
• August, 2016 Scouting Report
  It's not always the case that the top prospect in the Arizona Fall League is also the top performer, but that's the case this year with Torres. The headliner of the package sent at the trade deadline from the Cubs to the Yankees for Aroldis Chapman, turned in one of the best performances in the 25-year history of the league--and he's still only 19. He's the youngest player ever to receive the Joe Black award for the MVP, led the league in hitting (.403) and OPS (1.158), and finished second in slugging percentage (.645). It's a solid hit tool over power and speed, but he showed the ability to yank pitches out of the ballpark with three home runs in 62 at-bats. Torres saw time at both middle infield positions, with scouts who saw him in the AFL believing that his long-term position likely will be at second base.
• December, 2014 Scouting Report
  The Cubs signed the two top-ranked players in the 2013 international signing class, Torres and outfielder Eloy Jimenez, who got more money but is much less polished. A $1.7 million signee, Torres finished his U.S. pro debut in 2014 by earning a promotion to short-season Boise before his 18th birthday. His maturity showed as he maintained his focus despite turmoil in his native Venezuela that prompted his family to move to the U.S. Torres is not the typical teen and draws comparisons with Cubs prospect Albert Almora for his baseball savvy and instincts. His hands, actions and above-average arm fit him for shortstop, and his internal clock helps him make routine plays look routine. His range may fit better at second base, where his bat should carry him. He has an advanced approach for any age, with strength that allows him to drive mistakes to the gaps and fight off pitchers' pitches. He's willing to draw walks and has a chance to be an above-average hitter with fringe-average power down the line. He's an average runner and won't be a big basestealer. Torres is expected to advance to full-season ball with Chicago's new low Class A South Bend affiliate. He's a couple of years away from the system's upper-levels, middle-infield glut and could be trade bait sooner than later.