Torres' HR puts Yanks' rookie duo in rare club
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NEW YORK -- Just one year ago, Gleyber Torres and Miguel Andújar started the 2017 season together in Double-A Trenton, dreaming of what it would be like to get the call to the big leagues. Fast forward to over a year later and the pair have not only put together potential Rookie of the Year-worthy seasons, but have penciled their names into the Yankees history book.
For the first time in franchise history, the Yankees boast a pair of rookies who have hit 20 or more homers. Torres slugged a two-run shot in the fourth inning in Monday's 6-2 loss to the White Sox, joining fellow Baby Bomber Andujar (21) in that select group.
"I know. It's amazing," Torres said when he was told of the achievement. "We just try to be focused, help the team in opportunities and just like that, try to help."
Torres' blast off White Sox starter Carlos Rodón came with Andujar aboard and left the infielder's bat at 107.8 mph, traveling a Statcast™-calculated 444 feet toward the netting over Monument Park, which accounted for Torres' longest homer of his career.
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Per Elias, Andujar and Torres are the eighth pair of rookie teammates to hit at least 20 home runs in the same season. The last club to accomplish the feat was the 2008 Reds, whose lineup included Joey Votto (24) and Jay Bruce (21).
Torres said his time going through the Yankees' farm system with Andujar helped establish their strong relationship.
"It's good," Torres said of sharing his rookie experience with Andujar. "I played a couple years ago with Miggy and now I play [with him again]. We feel super comfortable. I mean, we got a good relationship. Right in the game, we feel super good. We just try to do the job, help the team, not put too [much] pressure and just try to help. I think that's the most important for us."
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After getting off to a slow start in the second half of the season, Torres is starting to heat back up at the plate, hitting .361 with six RBIs in his last 10 games.
"Yeah, I feel comfortable [at the plate]," Torres said. "I'm just trying to take good at-bats every at-bat, try to be focused, try to stay to my approach and do my adjustments every day and help my team."