The Detroit Tigers have been actively seeking right-handed hitters in the trade market to optimize their lineup, particularly to strengthen their offensive firepower against left-handed pitchers. While many fans and the organization showed strong interest in Alex Bregman, he ultimately decided to head to Boston instead. Nevertheless, the Tigers returned with a significant acquisition, signing Gleyber Torres to a one-year contract worth $15 million, positioning him as the second baseman and shifting Colt Keith to first base. Initially, this trade didn’t create much buzz, but as the season progressed, Torres exceeded expectations and became a key driver behind the Tigers’ resurgence.
Compared to the numerous transfer rumors surrounding Bregman, Torres was even seen as a second choice at that time. However, since signing, both Torres and Keith have recorded a wRC+ over 130, becoming key players for the Tigers’ outstanding performance this season. While some fans were disappointed about missing out on Bregman, Torres’ strong showing quickly filled that gap, helping the Tigers emerge as one of the underdog teams this season.
Torres has long been underrated during his time with the Yankees. Despite hitting 38 home runs in 2019, he hasn’t quite reached that peak again. However, there’s no denying that he has always been a steady and reliable player, even if his performance hasn’t lived up to New York’s high expectations. This left Tigers fans surprised by his trade, but he has quickly integrated into the team, boasting a batting line of .270/.383/.404, with 5 home runs and 4 stolen bases, showcasing All-Star caliber play.
Torres’s exceptional ability to select pitches and his focus on the quality of attacks perfectly embody the so-called Master Your Timing on the Court philosophy of the Tigers. His walk rate has reached an impressive 14.5%, while his strikeout rate has dropped to 11.2%, both of which are personal bests. Torres’s understanding of hitting in the strike zone enables him to initiate attacks early when facing pressure, compelling pitchers to challenge him within the strike zone, thus giving him great opportunities to hit fastballs.
As of now, Torres has been outstanding against fastballs, boasting an impressive batting average of .311 and a slugging percentage of .466, which enhances his offensive threat. Notably, among his home runs, only one has not been against a fastball, a trend that continues into this season, highlighting his exceptional skill when facing fast pitches.
In addition to a consistent hitting quality, Torres has also made adjustments to his swing angle, resulting in improved performance against fastballs. This season, his swing angle when facing fastballs is maintained at 62.2%, a significant increase compared to last year’s figures. This indicates that through exceptional plate discipline, Torres is not only able to force pitchers back into the strike zone but also leverage an ideal hitting angle to create more offensive opportunities for himself.
This season, Torres is not just riding on luck; his consistent stats and hitting characteristics over the past few years clearly indicate that his impressive performance reflects his true capabilities. The Tigers indeed faced a need for right-handed hitters last season, but with Torres’s outstanding play, they are optimistic about turning their disadvantage against left-handed pitchers around in the upcoming 2024 season.
