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Gleyber Torres is headed back to Moosic.
And honestly, it’s not the worst thing in the world. In the long run, it’s probably a good idea.
With a strong start to the spring from Tyler Wade and Monday’s signing of Neil Walker, it was only a matter of time until the New York Yankees’ top prospect was sent down to Triple-A.
With the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders set to start their spring training games on Friday, Tuesday’s demotion came at the right time. Torres now gets ample time to re-acclimate himself with his former teammates and manager Bobby Mitchell, who was with the infielder in Double-A Trenton last season.
“I feel good. It’s a decision of the team,” Torres said, via Yankees.com. “I don’t control that. Just stay focused, work and I’ll be ready for another opportunity.”
Rapid recovery from his Tommy John surgery aside, the deck was stacked against Torres from the start this spring. He hadn’t played since June, and even at that point had only 55 games above the High-A level on his resume.
While Torres had the opportunity to claim the starting second base job this spring, it shouldn’t be considered a disappointment that the 21-year-old is instead going to Triple-A.
Torres was never going to be kept on the 25-man roster as anything other than the everyday second baseman. Yankees manager Aaron Boone said as much on Tuesday after Torres went 1-for-1 with a walk.
“For me, it’s Gleyber just playing and getting the reps, and he’ll be fine,” Boone said. “He’s really good. I thought his at-bats were a little bit better today — the walk there, smokes a ball for a base hit. All spring, he’s hit some balls hard that he hasn’t gotten any love for. He just needs now to continue to play and get the reps. It won’t be too long when it clicks.”
After an impressive spring last year, it was clear that Torres hadn’t been in live game action in nine months. He had just four hits in 25 at-bats.
While Torres started slow, Wade has turned heads. The 2017 International League All-Star has a .333 batting average in 27 at-bats and has scored four runs and stolen a base.
Wade’s strong start and the addition of the veteran Walker provides New York with the ability to send Torres to Triple-A for more seasoning. In a year when the Yankees are aggressively competing for a World Series, they don’t need to take any unnecessary risks.
Not to mention, if Torres is on the RailRiders’ opening day roster, it will start a clock that counts toward his years of service. If he’s in the minors for the first 16 days of the season, Torres will have seven years of service, meaning he won’t become a free agent until the 2024-25 offseason.
“It’s not easy, nine months of no games and (to) come back perfect. I’m human,” Torres said. “I’ll stay focused and go wherever they tell me, do my job and wait for another opportunity.”
Notes
Catcher Kyle Higashioka was optioned along with Torres to Triple-A, where he’s expected to be the RailRiders’ starting catcher again this season. He was 5-for-15 this spring.
The Yankees also designated outfielder Jake Cave for assignment on Monday to clear room for Walker. Cave was a focal part in the RailRiders success last season, but struggled down the stretch.
With a loaded outfield, he was the odd man out.