Luis Alfonso Torrens Sáez Bio
Luis Alfonso Torrens Sáez (born May 2, 1996) is a Venezuelan professional baseball catcher who currently plays for the New York Mets of Major League Baseball (MLB). Standing as a versatile defensive player behind the plate, Torrens has established himself as a reliable backup catcher across multiple organizations throughout his MLB career. He made his major league debut in 2017 and has since accumulated experience with the San Diego Padres, Seattle Mariners, Chicago Cubs, and New York Mets.
Early Life and Background
Luis Alfonso Torrens Sáez was born on May 2, 1996, in Venezuela. Growing up in a baseball-rich culture, he developed his passion and skills at a young age. His trajectory toward professional baseball was evident early on, as he attracted attention from major league scouts before reaching his teenage years.
Path to Professional Baseball
Torrens signed with the New York Yankees as an international free agent on July 2, 2012, at just 16 years old. He made his professional debut in 2013 for the Gulf Coast League Yankees, beginning his journey through the minor leagues. In 2014, he played for the Charleston RiverDogs, Gulf Coast Yankees, and Staten Island Yankees, gaining valuable experience at various levels of the Yankees farm system.
In March 2015, Torrens suffered a significant setback when he underwent surgery to repair a torn labrum in his right shoulder. The injury forced him to miss the entire 2015 season, a challenging period for the young catcher. He returned from the injury in 2016 and played in 52 games with Staten Island and Charleston, demonstrating his resilience and determination to continue his professional career.
Luis Alfonso Torrens Sáez Career
Early Career (2012–2016)
After signing with the Yankees, Torrens steadily progressed through their minor league system despite the shoulder injury that sidelined him in 2015. His recovery and performance in 2016 caught the attention of major league teams, particularly the Cincinnati Reds, who selected him in the 2016 Rule 5 draft. Immediately after selecting Torrens, the Reds traded him to the San Diego Padres, setting the stage for his MLB career.
San Diego Padres (2017–2020)
Torrens joined the Padres Opening Day roster as a 20-year-old, an impressive achievement given he had never played above Single-A baseball. He served as a backup to starting catcher Austin Hedges during the 2017 season. He started 31 games for the Padres overall but saw less playing time as the season progressed, making only 6 starts and 29 plate appearances over the final two months. He finished 2017 with 20 hits in 123 at-bats, including 3 doubles and a triple.
In 2018, Torrens battled an oblique injury during spring training and was optioned to the San Antonio Missions of the Double-A Texas League on March 14. He played for the Amarillo Sod Poodles of the Texas League in 2019 before being promoted to the major leagues on September 16, returning to the Padres roster for the stretch run of the season.
Seattle Mariners (2020–2022)
On August 30, 2020, the Padres traded Torrens to the Seattle Mariners as part of a major deal that sent Austin Nola to San Diego. In 2020, between the two teams, Torrens led all major league catchers in passed balls with six. The following year, he had a breakout offensive season, batting .243/.299/.431 with 15 home runs and 47 runs batted in (RBIs) in 108 games.
The Mariners designated Torrens for assignment on August 11, 2022. After clearing waivers, he was sent outright to the Triple-A Tacoma Rainiers. He batted .279 in 16 games for Tacoma and was promoted back to the major leagues on September 21, 2022. Notably, on October 4, 2022, Torrens recorded the sixth pitching win by a position player since 1960, pitching the top of the 10th inning and giving up one hit and no earned runs against the Detroit Tigers. On November 18, he was non-tendered and became a free agent.
Chicago Cubs and Subsequent Stints (2023)
On January 25, 2023, Torrens signed a minor league contract with the Chicago Cubs organization and made the Opening Day roster. He made 13 appearances for the Cubs, going 5-for-20 with 3 RBIs. He was designated for assignment on April 28. On May 3, 2023, he was traded to the Baltimore Orioles for cash considerations but was designated for assignment without making an appearance. After clearing waivers, he was assigned outright to the Triple-A Norfolk Tides but rejected the assignment and elected free agency.
Torrens signed with the Washington Nationals on May 18, 2023, playing 19 games for the Triple-A Rochester Red Wings, hitting .258/.311/.470 with 3 home runs and 13 RBIs. He opted out of his minor league contract on July 1.
Return to Seattle and Yankees Organization (2023–2024)
On August 30, 2023, Torrens signed a minor league contract to return to the Seattle Mariners organization. After playing 5 games with the Triple-A Tacoma Rainiers, the Mariners selected his contract on September 12, adding him back to the major league roster. In 5 games for Seattle, he went 2-for-8 (.250) with no home runs and one RBI. Following the season, he was removed from the 40-man roster and sent outright to Triple-A Tacoma, but he rejected the assignment and elected free agency on November 3.
On January 24, 2024, Torrens signed a minor league contract with the New York Yankees, returning to the organization that originally signed him in 2012. In 30 games for the Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders, he hit .279/.339/.469 with 5 home runs and 19 RBIs, earning another opportunity at the major league level.
New York Mets Era (2024–Present)
On May 31, 2024, the Yankees traded Torrens to the New York Mets in exchange for cash considerations, and he was subsequently added to the team major league roster. He quickly made an impact with his new team. On June 5, 2024, Torrens hit two home runs in a 9-1 victory against the Washington Nationals, marking the first multi-homer game of his career. He followed that with another historic moment on June 9, turning the first ever game-ending 2-3 double play in MLB history to preserve a 6-5 win against the Philadelphia Phillies in the MLB London Series.
Torrens played in 48 games for the Mets in 2024, batting .229/.292/.373 with 3 home runs and 15 RBI. When starting catcher Francisco Álvarez began the 2025 season on the injured list, Torrens stepped in as the primary replacement alongside Hayden Senger. He made 92 appearances during the regular season, slashing .226/.284/.345 with 5 home runs, 29 RBI, and one stolen base. His defensive excellence earned him recognition as a Gold Glove finalist following the 2025 season.
On May 2, 2026, Torrens and the Mets agreed to a two-year, $11.5 million contract extension, securing his future with the organization through at least the 2027 season.
Defensive Versatility and Strengths
Torrens has established himself as a reliable defensive catcher with solid receiving skills and a strong arm. His ability to handle pitching staffs and call games has earned him opportunities as a backup catcher throughout his career. He has demonstrated versatility by playing in multiple organizations while maintaining consistent defensive standards.
Notable Achievements and Milestones
Throughout his career, Torrens has achieved several notable milestones. His historic game-ending 2-3 double play in the MLB London Series stands as a unique achievement in baseball history. His 2021 season with the Mariners represented a career-high offensive performance with 15 home runs and 47 RBIs. His selection as a Gold Glove finalist in 2025 highlighted his continued defensive excellence. The two-year contract extension with the Mets in 2026 demonstrated the organization confidence in his abilities as a key depth piece behind the plate.
Luis Alfonso Torrens Sáez Career Statistics
Through June 26, 2026, Torrens has accumulated 28 career home runs and 138 runs batted in across his time with the Padres, Mariners, Cubs, and Mets. His career batting average stands at .225 through this point.
MLB Career Highlights
Torrens made his MLB debut in 2017 with the San Diego Padres at age 20, becoming one of the youngest players to serve as a major league catcher that season. His first multi-homer game came on June 5, 2024, with the Mets against the Nationals. His most complete offensive season came in 2021 with the Mariners when he posted a .243 batting average with 15 home runs and 47 RBIs in 108 games. The historic pitching performance he contributed as a position player on October 4, 2022, added another unique dimension to his career.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marked a significant chapter in Torrens career as he assumed increased responsibilities with the Mets following Francisco Álvarez injury at the start of the season. Playing as the primary backup catcher, he appeared in 92 games and demonstrated his defensive value by earning Gold Glove finalist recognition. His offensive production remained steady with 5 home runs and 29 RBI while maintaining his typical average around the .226 mark. The extension he signed in May 2026 provided stability for both player and organization as they committed to each other for the foreseeable future.
Torrens continued to serve as a reliable defensive presence behind the plate, working effectively with the Mets pitching staff throughout the season. His experience gained across multiple organizations proved valuable in guiding younger pitchers and maintaining the high standards expected of the Mets catching corps.