As the season progresses, former All-Star Gleyber Torres’ chances for a long-term contract with the New York Yankees are at risk unless he can turn around his current performance trends in the second half of the year.
Torres’ Struggles at the Plate
Torres is enduring his most challenging season with the Yankees, batting just .218 with a .296 on-base percentage. His slugging percentage has dropped to .338, despite hitting 77 home runs and driving in 29 RBIs, resulting in an 85 wRC+. This overall regression affects not only his batting average and on-base percentage but also his slugging and confidence.
Although Torres has historically been inconsistent, he has shown the potential to be an annual All-Star. However, his erratic performance has been a recurring issue for the Yankees since his debut in 2018.
In contrast, Torres had a strong 2023 season, hitting .273 with a .347 OBP and 25 homers. His strikeout rate was the lowest of his career at 14.6%, but this season it has surged from 9% to 23.6%. This increase in strikeouts is concerning as it represents a regression from his performance last year.
The Yankees Need Torres to Step Up
With Giancarlo Stanton out for at least a month, Torres is under pressure to improve. He needs to shift from being a liability to becoming a key offensive player. Despite his struggles, Torres has managed a .236 average with runners in scoring position this year, achieving a .303 OBP and .794 OPS.
However, his performance metrics are worrisome. He ranks in the 6th percentile for expected batting average (.208) and 10th percentile for expected slugging (.338). While he performs above average in chase rate and walk percentage, his barrel percentage is in the 37th percentile, and his hard-hit rate is at a career-low 22nd percentile.
Potential Adjustments and Mental Hurdles
Interestingly, Torres has an increased infield fly ball percentage of 14.9% this year, the highest of his career, with a launch angle of 18.1°, also a peak since his rookie year. This suggests he might be getting under the ball too much, resulting in easy outs.
Adjusting his swing to generate more drive rather than loft could be beneficial, but his struggles appear to be more mental than physical.
Defensively, Torres has played 684 innings at second base this season with a .963 fielding percentage and -3 defensive runs saved, indicating another below-average defensive year. Unless Torres can improve dramatically, the Yankees might have to accept that their second baseman is more of a liability than an asset.
