Gleyber Torres was moved back to second base on Sept. 13, with manager Aaron Boone telling reporters that the infield shuffle could stick for the rest of the season.
That has how things have panned out over the last 10 days, as Torres has primarily been used at second base rather than shortstop, where he struggled mightily in the field in 2021. His defensive troubles seemed to also have an impact on his bat, as Torres held a .669 OPS before the move was made.
Since the day after the switch, Torres has an OPS of .879 while batting .355 over a span of nine games.
“Like I always say, I’m here to play any position for my team and just help in any situation,” Torres said after Wednesday’s win over Texas. “I try to be more confident…and just do my job. Focus on the defense and always focus on hitting, and always try to do the little things to help my team. That’s always my mindset.”
Torres’ improved hitting continued on Wednesday, when he laced a go-ahead double down the right field line in the bottom of the eighth to spark a four-run frame to give the Yankees a win they had to have. For Torres, the clutch hit was the continuation of an adjusted approach, one that he got away from this season.
“All my career, I’ve hit really well to the opposite field,” Torres said. “During the season, I’ve struggled and sometimes I forget to hit there. Sometimes I just try to pull the ball and hit to the opposite field. But in those moments, I try to be more focused when I come to the plate and do the little things.”
The Yankees could desperately use the return of 2019 Torres, when he was an All-Star hitting 38 home runs and tearing up the postseason to the tune of 12 hits and 10 RBI, and for Torres to do that, he believes he will have to continue to use the whole field and rediscover what made him the team’s top prospect.
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On Wednesday, he took another step towards finding that groove again, and it came at a time where the Yanks needed it most.
“The at-bat before we had the bases loaded and I struck out, so that was a moment where I just want to help my team and do the little things,” Torres said. “When I failed that at-bat, I just waited for another opportunity.”
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