Gleyber Torres burst onto the scene in 2018, hitting .271 with 24 home runs and 77 RBIs in just 123 games. However, in the past two seasons, Torres has seen his power numbers decline, hitting just 19 home runs in 2021 and 24 homers during the 2022 season. The dip in form badly affected Torres’s mental as well as physical health as uncertainty over his future loomed over his head.
Despite all the odds, the infielder worked hard and held multiple sessions with the New York Yankees coach, Dillion Lawson, to figure out the problem. They did find an area of improvement that apparently worked as a wonder for Torres. The same wonder is on display in the current MLB season, wherein the infielder emerged as the best hitter of the Yankees for the first week of the season. But what is that one change which shifted the course of Torres’ career? Let’s find out.
A Change In Approach Is All It Took For Gleyber Torres To Regain His Lost Form
Torres miraculously escaped a trade-off this season despite repeated poor seasons. Hence, this year, the infielder knew he had a point to prove and delivered just right. In 23 games so far, he slashed .257 with two homers, seven RBIs, and five stolen bases. Gleyber Torres even emerged as the Yankees’ top player of the initial week of the season. But what led to the sudden shift in gears? It was apparently a change in approach. This season, Torres was back to his original spot, the second base. Two years ago, he played as a shortstop, which he believes was the reason behind his downfall.
Gleyber Torres explained his point, saying when he played shortstop, he lost a lot of weight. Due to this, he could not generate enough power on the plate. Moreover, Yankees coach Dillion Lawson suggests the idea behind shifting Torres to second base was to place him at a spot where he feels the most athletic. Lawson further explained the infielder has a tendency to use a high leg kick to generate the momentum for the hit. Hence, when he got slimmer, he faced difficulty while generating that momentum. The coach believes these few smaller adjustments helped the infielder regain his lost form.
Aaron Boone Not Bothered By Torres’ Slump In Form
After an electric start to the 2023 season, Gleyber Torres suffered a slump in form majorly due to the injury scare. During the series against the Twins, the infielder felt tightness in the hamstring. However, he did not miss any game time and was back within time. But the fans did witness a slump in his offensive form.
Meanwhile, Yankees manager, Aaron Boone, is least bothered. He says Gleyber Torres is not slumping as of now. His approach looks fine, and an off week does not necessarily change anything. Boone believes Torres has had an amazing few weeks and can let a couple slide. For now, the team and Torres are working hard to get him back on the plate with full intensity.
