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UPDATED Yankees’ MiLB News: Luis Torrens Injured

By Wayne Cavadi

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The New York Yankees have endured some killer injuries the past two seasons. Whether it was C.C. Sabathia or Mark Teixeira deteriorating in the Bronx or Manny Banuelos and Slade Heathcott unable to stay healthy on the farm, there is no doubt that injuries have taken their toll. The Yankees bad luck seems to have continued into 2015 before the first Grapefruit League pitch has been thrown.

Luis Torrens is one of the Yankees Top 10 prospects, as high as No. 9 in Baseball America and No. 10 at MLB Pipeline. He injured his right shoulder and there are already fears mounting that in may be severe enough that he will miss the entire 2015 season. This has to be a major blow to the Yankees, as Torrens is coming off a fantastic 2014. 

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Torrens was signed by the Yankees in 2012. They signed the one-time shortstop out of Venezuela on a $1.3-million deal. Known as a light hitting great defender, the Yankees quickly transformed Torrens into a catcher. It was seemingly the right move.

MLB Pipeline gushes over the youngsters defensive ability.

“Torrens has a strong arm, and he already has developed the footwork and release to make the most of it. He’s coming along as a receiver, though he had 13 passed balls in 32 games behind the plate in 2013. Torrens’ intelligence and work ethic are two more assets that will help him as a catcher.”

The 18-year old struggled at the plate in his 2013 Rookie League debut. But in his first go at catching, Torrens was impressive. He did allow 13 passed balls, but that was to be expected as he got comfortable behind the plate. He did, however, throw out 19 of 42 base runners for an impressive 45 percent rate.

The Yankees decided to give Torrens a go with the Low-A Charleston RiverDogs, but he looked lost at the plate. They brought him back to the short-season New York/ Penn League after just nine games in the South Atlantic League and Torrens shined for the Staten Island Yankees. He would go 0-for-4 in his debut, but then get at least one hit in the next 21 straight games, including 10 multi-hit games in the impressive streak. He would slash .270/.327/.405 en route to earning NY/PL All Star honors. While he showed he does have the plate discipline to make it to the next level, he once again showed his true skill set behind the plate. Torrens threw out 23 attempted base thieves at a 42 percent rate.

The injury news is discouraging for the Yankees, especially on the heels of the 2014 regression of Gary Sanchez. Sanchez, once the heir apparent to Jorge Posada, took a step back offensively and mentally last season, serving a five game team imposed suspension for his off field behavior with the Trenton Thunder. That is not to say that Sanchez still can’t be that future catcher, however with the strides of Torrens last season, Sanchez could have been used as a trade chip before it was too late. Should Torrens miss all of 2015, and still without a full season under his belt, Sanchez becomes a piece the Yankees must hold onto a little longer.

The Yankees should receive further news today on the prospect’s injury status. Stay tuned to Grading on the Curve as we will provide updates as we have them passed along to us.

****UPDATE******* 6:30 PM TUESDAY MARCH 3, 2015*******

Since going to post with the story of Torrens injury, Yanks Go Yard via NJ.com’s Brendan Kuty has confirmed that the Yankees Top Ten prospect is indeed out for the year. While this does not hurt the Yankees in the Bronx, it is a huge blow to the farm system.

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