Gleyber Torres

New York Yankees Weekly Recap + ESM Yankee Player of the Week for 8/12-8/18

by
New York Yankees, Gleyber Torres

Weekly Recap:

Another strong week is in the books for the New York Yankees, finishing 6-2. They started the week with a four-game series against Baltimore, whom they were 13-2 going into said series. Despite the lowly Orioles scoring at least three runs in every game, the bombers would finish off the birds with a sweep, finishing the season series 17-2, including 16 consecutive victories.

Not only did the Yankees continue their mastery of the Orioles as a team, but so did both Gleyber Torres and Gary Sanchez. Torres hit three more home runs during both games of the series-opening doubleheader, bringing his dinger total against Baltimore to 13. That ties him with Roger Marris for most home runs by a Yankee against an opponent in a season.

Sanchez launched his 10th home run against the Orioles off Dylan Bundy. That long ball made him and Torres the first Yankee teammates since Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig to hit double-digit homers against an opponent. The legendary New York Yankees duo each hit 11 dingers against the Boston Red Sox in 1927.

The bombers would not fare as well when they welcomed Cleveland for a four-game set. The Indians got off to a hot start, scorching Yankee pitching to win game one 19-5. The Yankees would win the next two by scores of 3-2 and 6-5 before dropping the finale 8-4, settling for a series split.

Despite the setback, the Yankees are sitting pretty in the A.L. East, leading Tampa Bay by 9.5 games entering Monday.

Injury Update on Voit, Severino, and More:

First baseman Luke Voit is close to returning to the big leagues, having been sent to Triple-A Scranton Wilkes-Barre to complete his rehab. Voit has been on the I.L. since July 30 with a sports hernia but has luckily avoided needing surgery, which could have ended his season. He could potentially have surgery in the offseason to correct the issue.

The 28-year-old slugger is batting .278/.392/.493 with 19 home runs and 54 RBI in 94 games. He is expected to play for the Railriders sometime this weekend, most likely Thursday and/or Friday according to Bryan Hoch. While he could come back during the New York Yankees’ nine-game west coast trip, Voit prefers to wait for the next homestand. That homestand starts on August 30 against Oakland, two days ahead of roster expansion.

Meanwhile, Luis Severino threw off the mound at Yankee Stadium for the first time in 2019 on Sunday. The New York Yankees ace threw another bullpen before throwing 15 pitches to three hitters. Despite giving up a single to assistant hitting coach P.J. Pilittere, Severino was in good spirits about this step forward.

Dellin Betances is not too far behind, throwing a bullpen on Sunday as well. He should be close to throwing to live hitters as both he and Severino head back to Tampa to continue their rehab.

Left-hander Jordan Montgomery is also progressing in his rehab, throwing a two-inning, 35-pitch simulated game on Wednesday in Tampa. He could return late this season, most likely as a long-relief option. The southpaw has been on the 60-day I.L. after undergoing Tommy John surgery back in May of 2018.

Gardner’s bat banging a big no-no, or the new thumbs down?:

After an interesting ejection back on August 9 in Toronto, outfielder Brett Gardner suffered a similar fate eight days later against Cleveland. In both instances, Gardner hit his bat on the dugout ceiling after a questionable called strike three on Cameron Maybin. This time, it was first base umpire Phil Cuzzi who ran over and ejected Gardner, as well as C.C. Sabathia, who started the following day.

This ejection possibly was a result of a meeting between Aaron Boone and MLB Chief Baseball Officer Joe Torre. During this meeting, Torre ruled that Gardner did enough to warrant his ejection in Toronto, namely hitting the bat on the dugout ceiling. Gardner has performed the action three times this season, as well as making a similar motion during the Bleacher Creature roll call on Sunday.

Some are starting to believe that the bat banging has become the new “thumbs down” rallying cry, further showing that the Yankees have bought into their role as “f-ing savages.”

And now, with that out of the way, it’s now time for this weeks…

Empire Sports Media Yankee Player of the Week:

Gleyber Torres:

8 games, 10-31 (.323), 6 HR, 11 RBI, 10 Runs Scored, .935 SLG %

The infamous sophomore slump doesn’t seem to apply to Gleyber Torres, especially during the past week. The 22-year-old continued his mastery over Baltimore with three more home runs, giving him 13 against the O’s on the year. He added three more against Cleveland, giving him six on the week.

Coming into Monday, Torres is now batting .282/.347/.533/.880 with 29 home runs and 73 RBI in 114 games. The 22-year-old looks to be a staple in the Yankee lineup for years to come.

Honorable Mentions (Not in any Order):

Domingo German:

Vs. Baltimore (8/13): W, 7.0 Innings, 5 Hits, 2 ER, 1 BB, 7 SO

Didi Gregorius:

7 games, 7-28 (.250), 3 HR, 7 RBI, .607 SLG %

Gary Sanchez:

6 games, 7-21 (.333), 2 HR, 6 RBI, 4 BB, 1.107 OPS

D.J. LeMahieu:

6 games, 11-26 (.423), 3 HR, 6 RBI, 6 Runs Scored, 1.272 OPS

Gio Urshela:

8 games, 16-35 (.457), 1 HR, 5 RBI, 6 Runs Scored, 1.057 OPS

New York Yankees: Gleyber Torres Makes History Against the Orioles

by
New York Yankees, Gleyber Torres

New York Yankees’ 22-year-old slugger Gleyber Torres absolutely owns the Baltimore Orioles this season. He made history Monday night against the Orioles where he hit his 13th home run off them this season. Not only was it his 13th, but he slugged three bombs off the O’s in Monday’s doubleheader. This multi-homer game was Torres’ eight this season, which is nothing short of remarkable.

The 13 bombs this season against the Orioles set Torres in a four-way tie with Roger Maris, Joe Adcock, Hank Sauer, and Jimmie Foxx (ESPN Stats & Info) for most home runs against a team in a season. Lou Gergic holds the number one spot in that category where hit 14 home runs against the Cleveland Indians in 1936.

Prior to his career in the Major Leagues, Torres did not hit for power. In the minors with triple-A Scranton Wilkes-Barre Railriders in 2017, he only slugged two home runs in 81 at-bats. This season he’s just under matching his home run total from last year (24), and the Yankees still have 42 more games in the regular season.

This season Torres is currently slashing .278/.345/.501 (Baseball Reference). Selected to his second All-Star game in two years, he is regarded as one of the premier young talents in the Major Leagues. The Yankees agreed with this as they forbid to accept any offers with Torres during the July 31st trade deadline.

The New York Yankees swept the double-header against the Orioles which advanced them to 79-41 and a three-game winning streak. They will continue their domination over the Orioles Tuesday night in the Bronx.

New York Yankees: What’s Going on with Gleyber Torres?

by
New York Yankees, Gleyber Torres

Just as it seemed that the New York Yankees’ star Gleyber Torres had fallen to the injury bug, he was back in the lineup. Then he was removed early from a game again, and Yankee fans are beginning to wonder – what’s going on with our prized possession Torres?

In Tuesday’s win over the Baltimore Orioles, Torres was removed early to what the Yankees called core pain. He said he had felt the same pain during last Sunday’s game. Following these games, Torres saw a doctor where he underwent an MRI. He was tested for any strains and a sports hernia, the same thing teammate Luke Voit is down with. All tests came back negative and so he was cleared.

Manager Aaron Boone said Torres would travel with the team to Toronto this week where they take on the Blue Jays. Since Torres is technically not on the injured list, he’ll most likely be day-to-day. Boone mentioned that he talked to Torres where the young star said, “I am all right, I feel like I am going to be fine.”

It was clear that Torres was being affected primarily at the plate. After going 3-5 on August 3rd against the Boston Red Sox, Torres has yet to get a hit where he’s currently 0-10 since then.

The New York Yankees will definitely keep a close watch on Torres. They’ll want to do anything they can to avoid him being the 26th man on the injured list. Maybe a few days off will do the trick but especially since Voit is facing surgery with abdominal pain, the Yankees will need to be cautious with Torres.

New York Yankees: Weekly Recap + ESM Yankee Players of the Week for 7/29-8/4

by
New York Yankees, Domingo German

Weekly Recap:

After winning only one of four games at Fenway Park last week, the New York Yankees returned home hoping to regain momentum. After splitting a two-game series with Arizona, the legendary rivalry resumed in the Bronx, though the story would be very different this time. The Yankees would sweep the series, sending Boston plummeting further down in the standings, dropping to 14.5 games back after Sunday’s finale.

The sweep was huge, not just in terms of the standings, but also in showing that the starting rotation is improving. James Paxton, Domingo German, and J.A. Happ all went at least five innings and got wins in their respective starts in this series.

Torres, Ursehla avoid I.L.:

While the Yankees relished in finishing off the sweep on Sunday, it came with a couple of brief injury scares. Gleyber Torres, who was 0-3 with a walk on Sunday, was taken out in the eighth inning with what the team called a “core issue.” Not too long afterward, Eusebio Torres, Gleyber’s father, tweeted:

Translated from Spanish, the tweet reads:

“After the scare tonight, GT is leaving the hospital and everything is fine, the bus waits for him, and they go straight to Baltimore.”

Most likely as a precaution, Torres played the following day against Baltimore as the DH. Torres going to the I.L. would have been another significant blow to the Yankees. They already lost both Aaron Hicks (strained flexor tendon in right elbow) and Edwin Encarnacion (right wrister fracture) last Saturday.

Gio Urshela was also banged up on Sunday after fouling a pair of pitches off his left shin and right knee. He did not play in the first game against Baltimore.

Sanchez to go on rehab assignment:

According to manager Aaron Boone, catcher Gary Sanchez will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Scranton Wilkes-Barre on Wednesday. Following games on Wednesday and Thursday, the all-star catcher will rejoin the Yankees sometime this weekend in Toronto. Sanchez has been on the 10-day I.L. since July 24 with a Grade 1 Left Groin Strain. This is his third I.L. stint due to groin injuries in the past two seasons.

 

And now, with that out of the way, it is now time for this weeks…

Empire Sports Media’s Yankee Players of the Week:

James Paxton & Domingo German:

Paxton:

Vs. Boston (8/2): W, 6.0 Innings, 2 Hits, 2 ER, 3 BB, 6 SO

German:

Vs. Boston (8/3): W, 7.0 Innings, 5 Hits, 2 ER, 7 SO

That’s right, the Big Maple and the Ant are ESM’s first-ever Yankee Co-Players of the Week! Both starters turned in quality starts in back-to-back days against the Red Sox, helping the Yankees to a four-game series sweep.

Paxton kicked off the series with his typical first-inning troubles, allowing a two-run home run to J.D. Martinez. After a Gleyber Torres grand slam in the bottom half of the first, Paxton settled down, allowing only one hit and two walks from the second inning on, finishing with six innings of two-run ball and six strikeouts. This was a huge redemption start for Paxton after getting shelled for seven runs in four innings during his last start at Fenway Park.

The next day, German had arguably one of his best starts of the season in game one of a doubleheader. Despite giving up solo shots to Andrew Benintendi and Jackie Bradly Jr., German tossed seven innings of two-run ball with seven strikeouts. This start helped keep the bullpen fresh, as the Yankees deployed Chad Green as an opener in the nightcap.

Honorable Mentions (In no order):

Gleyber Torres:

6 games, 5-24 (.208), 3 HR, 7 RBI, .667 SLG%

Despite hitting just over .200 for the week, Gleyber Torres contributed to the sweep of the Red Sox. In game one, down 2-0, Torres took Eduardo Rodriguez deep for a go-ahead salami, capping off the offense for both teams. The next day, in the nightcap of a doubleheader, Torres knocked a pair of solo shots as part of a 3-for-5 night scoring three runs.

Mike Tauchman:

5 games, 5-17 (.313), 1 HR, 6 RBI, .353 OBP%

The sockman continues to show why GM Brian Cashman may just know what he’s doing despite the opinions of some Yankee fans. After Sunday’s game, Tauchman has slashed .372/.433/.617/1.050 with four home runs and 22 RBI since May 5.

J.A. Happ:

Vs. Boston (8/4): W, 5.2 Innings, 7 Hits, 4 ER, 1 BB, 2 SO

While Happ’s stat line in his latest start isn’t fantastic, he was cruising through the first four innings, allowing only two hits during that span. It was one of his better starts of the year, and the Yankees are now 15-7 in Happ’s started in 2019.

Tommy Kahnle:

1-0, 3.0 Innings, 0.00 ERA, 4 SO, 2 Hits, 1 BB

Kahnle continues his resurgent 2019 with an excellent month of July overall. In 12 July appearances, the righty allowed only one earned run, good for a 0.77 ERA during that span. He also struck out 17 and held opposing batters to a .128 BAA. Due to his strong month, Kahnle was named the American League Reliever of the Month for July.

Gio Urshela:

5 games, 7-18 (.389), .421 OBP%

 

New York Yankees: Gleyber Torres Possibly Reinjured

by
New York Yankees, Gleyber Torres

New York Yankees infielder Gleyber Torres has been removed from Tuesday’s game against the Baltimore Orioles with an apparent injury.

Torres left Sunday night’s game against the Red Sox with a core injury, and it’s unknown if Tuesday’s injury is related to Sunday’s. If it is, it’s a bad look for the training staff, rushing him back.

Here’s to hoping that Gleyber is ok, and it is nothing serious and he can hopefully avoid the IL.

(STORY WILL BE UPDATED LATER)

Yankees Exclusive: Interview with Brian Cashman that never actually happened.

by
New York Yankees, Yankees, Brian Cashman

Here’s is my interview that never actually happened with Brian Cashman about the trade deadline. All opinions about fans are mine and probably his as well.

Me: Hey Brian I appreciate you taking the time to chat. I know your a busy guy since, according to Yankee fans, you’re alternating between actively trying to ruin the season or swimming in piles of gold coins like Scrooge McDuck with your time.

Brian Cashman: Anytime, and you forgot the part where I am actively poisoning our players to try and get them all on the IL.

M: laughter whoops, that’s my bad. Well does it bother you your team is neck and neck with Houston for the best record in the American League considering how hard you have tried to ruin the season?

BC: I’d be lying if I said it didn’t…wouldnt you be frustrated? I mean, I hire the most incompetent training staff I can, misdiagnose injuries to our best starter,  a key bullpen guy, and keep Stanton out all year and nothing seems to work.

M: I can see that, so was your plan to always ruin the team or did it happen organically as the season progressed?

BC:  It’s a little bit of both. I can’t say with a straight face I wanted the team to be this good when I planned on having Greg Bird and Jacoby Ellsbury be involved at the outset. Jacoby was never really going to play, but I thought Greg could make it to July at least. He would have helped keep Voit out of the line-up while we talked about his “perfect swing” and great defense. Unfortunately he can only stay true to his nature and spiked himself early on AND that was it. Maybe next year…I still think he has a ton of potential at this point Cashman bursts out laughing

M: Speaking of potential, what’s the situation with Clint Frazier now with Aaron Hicks injury?

BC:  I have to thank the media for their help with this one. Clint clearly is ready to be an everyday left fielder for this team, and he was really an impact bat for us…I wasnt sure how I was going to get him out of the line-up. Then he had that rough night in Boston and while he was out of position and leading the team and league in assists he somehow was labeled a liability on defense. Then when he voiced frustration at my jerking him around, the media stepped in and Yankee fans bought their narrative and wanted nothing to do with him. So I think I’ll let him waste away one more season in AAA while our sheep like fans get excited about guys with no future like Maybin and Tauchman. My goal is for Gardy to be our starter in left until he’s 50….he can be our Tom Brady.

M: I’m impressed with the way your manipulating the fans and the media with those moves, but then you went and turned the fans against you by not getting a starter at the trade deadline. Explain that to me.

BC:  Well I want to keep my job, I couldnt torture the fans if I got fired right? So I mean who was I getting? Stroman, Ray, Boyd….Sonny Gray was better than any of those guys. All the fans would have killed me if we had a repeat of that. The only reason I got away with it is the players we sent Oakland were part of our core of porcealin prospects, guaranteed to break if you use them.

M: You’ve mentioned fan reactions a few times, how does that play into the moves you make?

BC: Well obviously I hate them and want the team to be good enough to keep their interest but always fall short in the end. I mean you look at Dave Dombrowski..he got Boston one title on a team that had two players have career years, survived the beginning of Chris Sales decline, and thought Nathan Eovaldi could stay healthy. He gave up almost all their depth for one title run and right now that’s fine. Now he’s gotta resign Betts and Martinez, while still having a ton of cash wrapped up in Sale and Eovaldi who are both not ever gonna be the same. He’ll be gone in a few years. What I’m creating is sustained success with no title. That’s much harder to do.

M: Clearly you have given this alot of thought and I know your a busy guy so I’ll let you go,  is there anything else youd like to share with Bombers fans?

BC: I just want them to know that I get to pocket all the money from concessions personally and they are 100% right that those pennies are what drives me. I didnt make a deal at the deadline not because nothing reasonable was available but because I hate them and my players. As my bonus this year I’m getting the money the club gets from Ellsbury’s contract insurance. Just remember, I’ve built the worst best team in baseball and I’m gonna keep doing it.

M: Thanks Brian.

BC: Anytime, I’m always here for ESM.

New York Yankees aren’t willing to trade these two players

by
New York Yankees, Gleyber Torres

The New York Yankees need starting pitching support badly, and teams willing to deal know that. The Bombers have little leverage in the realm of the rumor mill, but several valuable players are on the trading block ahead of the July 31 deadline.

With Blue Jays pitcher Marcus Stroman off the table, it leaves the Yanks with one less option. Indians ace Trevor Bauer and Giants’ Madison Bumgarner are two quality pitchers general manager Brian Cashman could be eyeing.

However, both teams will want significant value in a potential deal — starting level players and prospects would likely be included. The Yankees are only willing to deal-specific players, though. Reports of Clint Frazier and Miguel Andujar being available have plastered the headlines lately.

The Yankees have to be willing to give up young players going into their prime if they want to bring in starting-caliber pitchers that can help the team reach the World Series. Overpaying is the issue, considering teams have inquired about second baseman Gleyber Torres, one of the off-limits players for the Yanks.

Frazier and Andujar should provide plenty of sway for teams looking to bolster their offensive production. Both are above average hitters with questionable gloves in the field. With Torres unavailable, the Bombers will have to settle for whoever they can get with only two days left to strike a deal.

The other player that is off-limits is minor-league pitcher Deivi Garcia. The 21-year-old phenom has been lighting it up in the minors and could make a big-league appearance later on in the season. His presence at the top minor league team and an impressive array of pitches make him too valuable to trade at this point.

[su_posts template=”templates/teaser-loop.php” posts_per_page=”3″ tax_term=”1622326″ order=”desc”]

Sacrificing the future in an attempt to benefit the presence is not always the best idea. Keeping both Torres and Garcia is the ideal scenario while also picking up a quality pitcher. We can assume the Yanks are shopping Frazier behind the scenes, a player that has fallen below Mike Tauchman this season due to his inability to play the outfield at an average level.

 

New York Yankees: Taking a look at the mid-season MVPs of 2019

by
New York Yankees, DJ LeMahieu

The New York Yankees continue to be one of the best teams in baseball despite being faced with injuries galore. A ton of players have stepped up but these four guys in the running for the midseason team MVP have stood out above the rest.

The top 4 mid-season New York Yankees MVPs of 2019:

4th place: Gleyber Torres 

Torres has been one of the best players on the Bombers this season. With guys like Didi and Judge normally taking a lot of the headlines in the past, their injuries and slow returns have allowed for breakout players. Gleyber has been one of the best hitters on the team this season and is deserving of consideration for best player.

With a .292 average and a .360 OBP with 19 HRs and 50 RBIs, his sophomore season has been, to this point a huge success. He has been vital to the Yankees success and will continue to be essential throughout the remainder of the season. 

3rd place: Aroldis Chapman

The Cuban Missile is on fire this year. Having easily his best season in pinstripes and one of his best seasons ever. Chapman has a 1.82 ERA and 24 saves (1st in AL). Chapman has been clutch with 24/27 save opportunities seeing success. Chapman continues to show his dominance and as he heads back from another all-star appearance, big things are coming for Chapman as the season wears on. 

[su_posts template=”templates/teaser-loop.php” posts_per_page=”3″ tax_term=”1622326″ order=”desc”]

2nd Place: Gary Sanchez

Gary Sanchez was written off by many last season, including myself. He’s won Yankees nation back over this season with a dominant year to this point. Slashing .245 with 24 HRs and 57 RBIs and a .315 OBP. He appeared in his second career all-star game and has been the true definition of a cleanup hitter this season. He’s enjoying one of his best seasons and his success is encouraging for the upcoming and long term future. 

WINNER: DJ LeMahieu

A guy who seemed like the odd man out for the lineup early in the season was called upon to step up in the wake of injuries. LeMahieu has since then stepped up and become one of the best players in all of baseball. With a .336 average (1st in AL, 3rd in MLB), 113 hits (2nd in MLB), 65 runs scored (5th in AL), 63 RBIs (4th in AL) and a .383 OBP (8th in AL) LeMahieu is having a phenomenal year. On the field, LeMahieu has been spectacular, but his presence in the locker room is unmatched as well. LeMahieu has been unequivocally the best player in all of baseball and is easily the most deserving of Yankees MVP at the halfway point.

New York Yankees: How Did Players Fare In The All-Star Game

by
New York Yankees, Aroldis Chapman

Tuesday evening was the MLB All-Star game, and all five New York Yankees players selected to the team played and had an impact. Keep reading to find out what each player did in the game.

DJ LeMahieu

DJ went 0-for-2 in the game, but played clean defense in his four and a half innings of play. He grounded out to the pitcher in both at-bats.

Gary Sanchez

Gary Sanchez went 1-for-2 and caught a solid half game. He ripped a double to left in the fifth inning and flied out earlier in the game.

Gleyber Torres

Gleyber Torres pinch-hit for DJ LeMahieu in the fifth, and went 1-for-2 in doing so. He struck out his first time up, but reached on an infield single his second time up to the plate.

Masahiro Tanaka

Masahiro Tanaka pitched the second inning, allowing one hit but struck out one to kept the game scoreless. Gary Sanchez caught him as usual. Tanaka actually ended up as the winning pitcher, as the AL won 4-3.

Aroldis Chapman

Aroldis Chapman came in the ninth to get the save, and did so by striking out the side. It was actually a much needed inning of work, as this past week was a bit shaky for him on the mound.

It’s great that the Yankees players performed well at the all-star game, but now it’s time for the second half stretch run.

New York Yankees: Gleyber Torres An All-Star, As It Should Of Been In The First Place

by
New York Yankees, Gleyber Torres

New York Yankees 22 year old middle infielder Gleyber Torres has been named to the 2019 All-Star game roster. He will be filling the place of Tampa Bay Rays infielder Brandon Lowe, who recently hit the IL.

Torres is now on the All-Star game roster after a lot of controversy. He is having a great season and would of otherwise not been recognized for it if Lowe didn’t go down with an injury.

Torres is batting .294 with 19 home runs and 50 RBIs. His OBP sits at .361, his slugging is at .536, and his OPS is just shy of .900.

Each month has been better for Torres during the season. He hit .255 in April, .299 in May, and .333 in June.

Torres won’t start the game, but his teammates DJ LeMahieu and Gary Sanchez will. Aroldis Chapman will be in the bullpen.

It’s good that Torres finally got the recognition that he deserved for his great season. At 22 years old, two all-star games already is no small feat. Congrats to Gleyber, and here’s to hoping that Tuesday’s All-Star Game will be a Gleyber Day.