The first half of the season was a major disappointment for Yankees’ veteran second baseman Gleyber Torres. Entering his contract year and hoping to secure a significant deal after the 2024 campaign, Torres struggled, posting a weak .231/.307/.347 batting line before the All-Star break. His power numbers dropped significantly, and his home run production declined, making it one of the worst stretches of his career. However, Torres managed to turn things around after the All-Star break when the Yankees shifted him to the leadoff spot, instructing him to focus on making contact rather than hitting home runs. Since that adjustment, Torres has batted .285/.357/.399, hitting six home runs, driving in 26 RBIs, and striking out just 44 times in 228 at-bats.
This role change transformed Torres into one of the Yankees’ most reliable players, filling a gap at the top of the lineup that had been problematic earlier in the season. Initially, Anthony Volpe was tasked with leading off, but he was later moved to the lower half of the lineup. Manager Aaron Boone also experimented with Alex Verdugo and others in the leadoff role, but none found sustained success. DJ LeMahieu was another option, but his injury forced the Yankees to find a new solution.
In his new role as leadoff hitter, Torres has posted a .274 batting average with a .725 OPS. Although his power numbers remain lower than in previous seasons, his consistent ability to reach base has proven invaluable to the team. Notably, Torres had a standout performance against the Oakland Athletics, recording three hits and driving in two runs, further solidifying his importance at the top of the Yankees’ order.
