Gleyber Torres facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Gleyber Torres |
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Torres with the New York Yankees in 2018
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| Detroit Tigers – No. 25 | |||
| Second baseman | |||
| Born: December 13, 1996 Caracas, Venezuela |
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| debut | |||
| April 22, 2018, for the New York Yankees | |||
| MLB statistics (through July 27, 2025) |
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| Batting average | .266 | ||
| Home runs | 148 | ||
| Runs batted in | 490 | ||
| Teams | |||
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| Career highlights and awards | |||
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Gleyber David Torres Castro (born December 13, 1996) is a professional baseball player from Venezuela. He plays as a second baseman for the Detroit Tigers in Major League Baseball (MLB). Before joining the Tigers, he played for the New York Yankees. Gleyber started playing in MLB in 2018 and has been chosen as an All-Star three times: in 2018, 2019, and 2025.
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Gleyber's Early Life and Baseball Dreams
Gleyber Torres was born and grew up in Caracas, Venezuela. His parents are Eusebio Torres and Ibelise Castro. His father liked the unique name "Gleyber" and chose it for him. Gleyber's family lived in a middle-class home. Life in his home country was sometimes challenging.
Gleyber started playing baseball when he was four years old. He played many positions, including center fielder, catcher, pitcher, and eventually shortstop. He loved watching baseball games on TV and looked up to his favorite player, Omar Vizquel. Gleyber also played basketball for a short time in high school. However, his father told him to focus only on baseball.
As Gleyber grew older, baseball academies noticed his talent. They wanted to help him become a professional player. When he was 14, Gleyber moved to Maracay. There, he joined an academy that helped young players connect with MLB scouts.
Gleyber's Professional Baseball Journey
Starting with the Chicago Cubs (2014–2016)
Gleyber Torres began his professional career in 2013. He signed with the Chicago Cubs as a free agent from another country. He received a $1.7 million bonus for signing. In 2014, he played his first professional games with the Arizona League Cubs. He later moved up to the Boise Hawks. In 50 games that year, he hit well, with two home runs.
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In 2015, Gleyber played for the South Bend Cubs. He was later promoted to the Myrtle Beach Pelicans. He played 126 games for these two teams. He hit three home runs and had 64 runs batted in (RBI). Gleyber started the 2016 season still playing for Myrtle Beach.
Time with the New York Yankees (2018–2024)
On July 25, 2016, Gleyber was traded to the New York Yankees. He was part of a trade that sent pitcher Aroldis Chapman to the Cubs. Gleyber started his Yankees career with the Tampa Yankees. He finished 2016 with 11 home runs and 66 RBI.
After the 2016 season, Gleyber played in the Arizona Fall League (AFL). He played very well, hitting .403. He was named the AFL Most Valuable Player. At 19, Gleyber was the youngest player ever to win this award. Experts at Baseball America called him the Yankees' top young player.
In 2017, Gleyber was ranked as one of the top five young players in baseball. He played well in spring training with the Yankees. He then started the season with the Trenton Thunder. Later, he moved up to the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders. In June, Gleyber injured his left elbow while sliding into home plate. This injury needed surgery, and he missed the rest of the 2017 season. He still hit .287 with seven home runs.
Before the 2018 season, Gleyber was still seen as a top young player. He competed for a spot on the Yankees' main team. On April 22, 2018, Gleyber was called up to the Major Leagues.
Making His MLB Debut in 2018
Gleyber Torres played his first MLB game on April 22, 2018. He played second baseman against the Toronto Blue Jays. The next day, he got his first MLB hit. On May 4, Gleyber hit his first career home run. He was the youngest Yankee to hit a home run since 1969.
Two days later, Gleyber hit his first "walk-off" home run. This means his home run won the game for the Yankees. He was the youngest Yankee to hit a walk-off homer. On May 21, he hit two home runs in one game for the first time. On May 25, he hit a home run in his fourth game in a row. He was the youngest player in the American League to do this.
Gleyber was named the AL Player of the Week for his great hitting in late May. He also won American League Rookie of the Month for May. He hit nine home runs and had 24 RBI that month.
In July, Gleyber had a hip injury and missed some games. Even so, he was chosen for the 2018 Major League Baseball All-Star Game. This was his first All-Star selection. He was named AL Player of the Week again in September. On September 29, Gleyber hit a home run that helped the Yankees set a new team record for most home runs in a season. He finished third in the voting for the American League Rookie of the Year Award.
Strong Performance in 2019
After the 2018 season, Gleyber signed a new contract with the Yankees. On April 4, 2019, he had a fantastic game against the Baltimore Orioles. He got four hits, including two home runs, and four RBI. On June 19, Gleyber hit his first career "grand slam" (a home run with the bases loaded). He hit another grand slam on August 2.
On August 12, Gleyber hit his 13th home run against the Orioles, setting a record. By August 22, he hit his 30th home run of the season. This made him only the second Yankee player aged 22 or younger to hit 30 or more home runs in a season. He was chosen as an American League All-Star for the second time.
Gleyber finished the 2019 season with 38 home runs. He was the second middle infielder ever to hit so many home runs before turning 23. He also played very well in the playoffs, hitting .417 in the 2019 American League Division Series. On October 13, 2019, Gleyber became the youngest second baseman in MLB history to have at least four RBI in a playoff game.
Playing Through 2020–2024
In the shorter 2020 season, Gleyber played 42 games. He hit three home runs and had 16 RBI. In 2021, he hit nine home runs and 51 RBI. He moved back to playing second base in September 2021.
For the 2022 season, Gleyber continued to play second base. He hit 24 home runs and had 76 RBI.
In 2023, Gleyber signed a one-year contract with the Yankees. On April 3, he hit his 100th career home run. He was the seventh youngest Yankee to reach this milestone. For the 2023 season, Gleyber had a .273 batting average, 25 home runs, 68 RBI, and 13 stolen bases. He was a finalist for the Silver Slugger Award.
In 2024, Gleyber helped the Yankees reach the World Series. He hit a home run in Game 4 of the series. After the Yankees lost the World Series, Gleyber became a free agent.
Joining the Detroit Tigers (2025–Present)
On December 27, 2024, Gleyber Torres signed a one-year contract with the Detroit Tigers. The contract was worth $15 million.
On July 2, 2025, Gleyber was voted as the starting second baseman for the 2025 Major League Baseball All-Star Game. This was his third All-Star selection and his first time being chosen as a starter. At the All-Star break, he was hitting .281 with 9 home runs and 45 RBI.
Gleyber's Personal Life
Gleyber Torres met his wife, Elizabeth, in his hometown of Caracas in 2014. They got married in April 2017. They welcomed their first child, a son, on March 20, 2022.
See also
In Spanish: Gleyber Torres para niños
