Three New York Yankees Prospects Set to Break Out in 2017

Luis Torrens

With the surgery to repair a torn labrum in his right shoulder he underwent in March of 2015 fading further and further in the rearview mirror, Luis Torrens is starting to re-establish himself again as one of the most exciting talents in the Yankees system.

The 20-year-old backstop got off to a hot start in 2016, hitting .311/.360/.400 in plate appearances with short-season Staten Island to start the year. That performance earned him a promotion to Low-A Charleston, where his power numbers lagged but he still demonstrated an advanced approach at the plate.

He finished the year with a .250/.350/.337 slash line in 214 PA split between the two levels. It often takes a year or so for a player’s power to fully return after shoulder surgery, so don’t be surprised if Torrens gets that slugging percentage back closer to .400 and maybe even pops double-digit home runs for the first time in his young career next season.

The aspect of Torrens’ game that has the organization really excited though is his work behind the plate. He’s extremely athletic, draws rave reviews for his receiving ability, and completely shuts down the opposing running game with his plus arm, throwing out 41% of opposing runners as a professional.

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Because of his defensive value, the bar is pretty low offensively for Torrens to be a useful player, but he has shown the makings of an average major league hitter. He’s patient, hits the ball to all fields, and could eventually knock 10-15 long balls per season.