Torres made a comeback after a disappointing start to his contract season, breathing new life into his career and the Yankees’ playoff hopes.
Entering what was arguably the most pivotal season of his career, New York Yankees second baseman Gleyber Torres stumbled out of the gate. His performance the first half of the season was underwhelming, posting a .231 batting average and a .654 OPS. For a player once regarded as a cornerstone of the Yankees’ future, it seemed like this might be his last season in Pinstripes.
The low point came on June 26, when Torres was benched for his performance and lack of hustle on a ground ball against the New York Mets. This moment could have marked the beginning of a downward spiral, with his tenure in New York ending in disappointment.
But instead of fizzling out, Torres reignited his season. Since being benched, he’s hit .294 with an impressive .362 on-base percentage. His resurgence earned him the leadoff spot, a role in which he has thrived. This has been a huge boost for a Yankees lineup that struggled to find a true leadoff hitter throughout the season. Rather than pursuing an upgrade at the trade deadline, New York placed their faith in Torres.
And it’s paid off. His emergence has solidified the top of the order, making the team better positioned for a deep postseason run.
Currently batting .257 on the season, with a .333 average over the last 28 days, Torres has flipped the narrative of his 2024 campaign. Him re-signing with the Yankees once seemed like a long shot but now appears a real possibility. If he continues this form, Yankees executive Brian Cashman might seriously consider locking him in as the team’s long-term second baseman, which would leave Jazz Chisholm Jr. at third.
As October approaches, Torres’ resurgence is just one of many questions surrounding the Yankees’ future. But for now, the focus remains on one goal: World Series title No. 28.
Michael Luongo is a passionate New York Yankees fan as a New Jersey native that resides in the Big Apple. He enjoys writing about sports, especially for the Yankees from a fan’s perspective. He can be reached at mike@pinnacle-copy.com.
