Gleyber Torres

Gleyber Torres Bio

Gleyber David Torres Castro is a Venezuelan professional baseball second baseman for the Detroit Tigers of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the New York Yankees. Torres made his MLB debut in 2018 with the Yankees. He has been named an All-Star in 2018, 2019, and 2025. Throughout his career, Torres has established himself as a reliable middle infielder with power-hitting ability, compiling 158 career home runs and 533 runs batted in through June 2026.

Early Life and Background

Gleyber David Torres Castro was born on December 13, 1996, in Caracas, Venezuela. He was raised by his parents, Eusebio Torres and Ibelise Castro. Intrigued by the name “Gleyber,” his father decided to name him after it because of its uniqueness. Torres grew up in a middle-class household. Life at home became difficult as many citizens rebelled against the government amid constant food shortages, rampant crime, and widespread violence.

Torres started playing baseball at the age of four, serving as a center fielder, catcher, pitcher, and eventually shortstop. His passion for baseball grew watching games on television, while idolizing his favorite player Omar Vizquel. Torres also played basketball briefly in high school but quit the sport on his father’s instructions to focus on baseball. Academies began to take notice of Torres’s talent and wanted to help him become a professional. At age 14, Torres moved to Maracay to enroll in an academy that had contacts with MLB scouts.

Path to Professional Baseball

Torres signed with the Chicago Cubs as an international free agent in 2013 for a $1.7 million signing bonus. He made his professional debut in 2014 with the Arizona Cubs of the Rookie-level Arizona League. He was later promoted to the Boise Hawks of the Low-A Northwest League. In 50 games for the two teams combined, he hit .297 with two home runs.

In 2015, Torres began the season with the South Bend Cubs of the Single-A Midwest League and was promoted to the Myrtle Beach Pelicans of the High-A Carolina League in September. In 487 at bats over 126 games for the two teams combined, he hit .287 with three home runs and 64 runs batted in. He started the 2016 season with Myrtle Beach, continuing his development as one of baseball’s top prospects.

Gleyber Torres Career

Chicago Cubs and Yankees Trade (2014–2017)

On July 25, 2016, the Cubs traded Torres, Adam Warren, Billy McKinney, and Rashad Crawford to the New York Yankees for relief pitcher Aroldis Chapman. He began his Yankees career playing with the Tampa Yankees of the High-A Florida State League. He finished the 2016 season batting .270 with 11 home runs and 66 RBI for the two High-A teams combined. After the season, the Yankees assigned him to the Scottsdale Scorpions of the Arizona Fall League.

After batting .403 in 76 at-bats with a .513 on-base percentage and a 1.158 OPS, Torres was named the Arizona Fall League Most Valuable Player. At age 19, Torres was the youngest player in the AFL and the youngest player in history to win the AFL MVP. He was ranked as the Yankees’ top prospect by Baseball America after the 2016 season and the fifth-best prospect in baseball entering 2017.

New York Yankees Breakthrough (2018–2024)

During spring training in 2018, Torres competed for a spot on the opening day roster. On March 13, 2018, Torres was optioned to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre to begin the year. He was called up to the Major Leagues on April 22 and made his MLB debut that day as the second baseman against the Toronto Blue Jays, going 0-for-4. The next day, against the Minnesota Twins, Torres recorded his first MLB hit.

On May 4, Torres hit his first career home run off Josh Tomlin, which at age 21 made him the youngest Yankee to homer since John Ellis in 1969. Two days later, against the Cleveland Indians, Torres hit his first career walk-off home run off Dan Otero, becoming the youngest Yankee to hit a walk-off homer. On May 25, he became the youngest player in American League history to hit a home run in his fourth straight game at 21 years and 163 days old. After batting .294 with 15 home runs and 42 RBI, Torres was selected to the 2018 All-Star Game, his first All-Star appearance. He finished third in voting for the American League Rookie of the Year Award.

In 2019, Torres became the second Yankee to hit 30 or more home runs in a single season aged 22 or younger, joining Joe DiMaggio who hit 46 home runs in 1937. His 38 home runs made him the second-ever middle infielder after Alex Rodriguez to do so before turning 23. Torres was named an American League All-Star for the second time and finished the regular season batting .278. He went on to hit .417 in the 2019 American League Division Series.

Detroit Tigers Era (2025–Present)

On December 27, 2024, Torres signed a one-year, $15 million contract with the Detroit Tigers. On July 2, 2025, Torres was voted in as the starting American League second baseman for the 2025 All-Star Game. This marked his third career All-Star selection and his first as a starter. At the All-Star break, he was hitting .281 with nine home runs and 45 RBI. For the 2025 season overall, he batted .256 with 16 home runs and 74 RBI. On October 31, Torres underwent sports hernia surgery to repair an injury he had dealt with for several months. On November 18, he accepted the Tigers’ $22 million qualifying offer to remain with the team for another season.

Defensive Position and Skills

Torres has played both second base and shortstop throughout his career. After struggling at shortstop in 2021, the Yankees moved Torres back to second base in September of that year. The Yankees acquired Isiah Kiner-Falefa to play shortstop before the 2022 season, keeping Torres at his natural position. He has developed a reputation as a solid defensive second baseman with good instincts for the position.

Notable Milestones

On April 3, 2023, during a game against the Philadelphia Phillies, Torres hit his 100th career home run, a solo shot to right-center field. He became the seventh youngest Yankee of all-time to reach that milestone. In the 2024 postseason, Torres became a contributor for the Yankees and helped them reach their first World Series since 2009. During Game 1, Torres hit what was initially thought to be a home run in extra innings before it was changed to a ground rule double due to fan interference. He had a home run in the Yankees’ Game 4 win.

Gleyber Torres Career Statistics

Through June 11, 2026, Torres has compiled impressive career numbers across his time with the New York Yankees and Detroit Tigers. He has established himself as a consistent power hitter in the middle of the lineup while providing solid defense at second base.

Career Highlights

Torres has been selected to three All-Star Games, earning his first selection in 2018, his second in 2019, and his third in 2025 as a starter. In 2019, he became only the second middle infielder in MLB history after Alex Rodriguez to hit 38 or more home runs before turning 23. He also became the youngest second baseman in MLB history to record at least four RBIs in a postseason game on October 13, 2019. His combination of power, defensive versatility, and consistency has made him a valuable player throughout his career.

Postseason Performance

Torres played a key role in the Yankees’ run to the 2024 World Series. He batted .417 in the 2019 ALDS against the Minnesota Twins, showcasing his ability to perform in high-pressure situations. During the 2024 World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Torres contributed with a home run in Game 4.

Gleyber Torres Family

Family Background

Gleyber Torres was raised in Caracas, Venezuela, by his father Eusebio Torres and mother Ibelise Castro. His father chose his unique name, and Torres grew up in a household that faced economic challenges amid Venezuela’s political instability. He showed early promise in baseball, beginning to play at age four and eventually dedicating himself fully to the sport by age 14 when he moved to Maracay for specialized training.

Personal Life

Torres met his long-time girlfriend Elizabeth in his hometown of Caracas in 2014. They were married in April 2017. The couple had their first child, a son, on March 20, 2022. Torres and his family maintain connections to Venezuela while he continues his professional baseball career in the United States.

2025 Season Performance

The 2025 season marked a new chapter in Torres’s career as he joined the Detroit Tigers. Signed to a one-year, $15 million contract in late 2024, Torres quickly established himself as a key contributor in the Tigers’ lineup. His performance in the first half of the season earned him recognition from fans and peers alike, resulting in his selection as the starting American League second baseman for the All-Star Game. At the All-Star break, he was hitting .281 with nine home runs and 45 RBI, demonstrating the power and consistency that had characterized his career.

For the full 2025 season, Torres finished with a .256 batting average, 16 home runs, and 74 RBI. His ability to drive in runs and provide stability in the middle of the Tigers’ infield proved valuable to the team. Despite dealing with a sports hernia injury that eventually required surgery on October 31, Torres played through the discomfort to contribute to the team’s efforts throughout the season. Following the season, he accepted the Tigers’ $22 million qualifying offer, ensuring his return for the 2026 campaign.