Andres Torres
Encyclopedia
Andrés "Yungo" Torres Jr. (born January 26, 1978 in Aguada
, Puerto Rico
) is a Major League Baseball
outfielder
with the San Francisco Giants
. He has also played for the Detroit Tigers
and the Texas Rangers
.
. He was a track and field star at Miami Dade, running the 100 meters in 10.37 seconds, the second fastest recorded 100 meter time for all major league baseball players, behind Deion Sanders
' 10.26. He played very little baseball as a child in Puerto Rico, and did not become serious about becoming a professional baseball player until he was 18. In 1997, the Florida Marlins
drafted him in the twenty-third round of the MLB Draft
, but he chose not to sign. He was then drafted by the Detroit Tigers
in the fourth round of the 1998 MLB Draft
, and that time he signed.
Award-winning director Chusy Haney-Jardine.
, Torres posted what was arguably the best minor league season in his career. With Lakeland, he batted .296 with 65 stolen bases. During that season, he was promoted to the AA Jacksonville Suns
for a short period of time, however, he struggled in the AA league and was sent back to Lakeland. After spending 2001 with the AA Erie SeaWolves
, Torres made the Detroit Tigers
roster in 2002. However, he struggled in the majors, and was sent down shortly after the season began. He spent most of the year with the triple-A Toledo Mud Hens
after that, and was called up in September after the minor league season was over.
The next season, Torres failed to make the Tigers out of spring training, but he split the season between Detroit and Toledo. On September 14, Torres hit his first home run, a solo shot off of Jimmy Gobble
of the Kansas City Royals
. Torres made the Tigers roster again in 2004, but he only appeared in three games (and didn't even have a plate appearance) before the Tigers attempted to outright him to the minors. Instead of going to the minors, Torres requested his release. He was granted free agency on April 22.
. He spent the rest of the 2004 season in the minor leagues, playing very well with the AAA Charlotte Knights
. After the season he filed for free agency.
. He started 2005 with the AAA Oklahoma RedHawks
, but he only played in 15 games before getting called up by the Rangers. However, the Rangers released him on June 12 after he batted .158 in 8 games with them.
on December 25, 2005. He spent the entire 2006 season with the AAA Rochester Red Wings
, batting .236 with them in 116 games. He became a free agent after the season.
. He was assigned to AA, but he did so well the Tigers promoted him to AAA during the season. Following the year, he again filed for free agency.
. He spent the entire season with the AAA Iowa Cubs
. He had a very good year, batting .306 in 118 games with 11 home runs. However, he once again filed for free agency following the season.
on January 9, 2009. Except for a minor league rehab assignment, he spent the entire year in the majors. On June 15 he hit the 48th "Splash Hit" at AT&T Park
. He finished the year with a career high .270 batting average. In 2010, he became the Giants' official starting center fielder after Aaron Rowand
suffered an injury. On the morning of September 12, he woke up with severe stomach pain and was diagnosed with appendicitis
. He underwent an appendectomy the same day. After a speedy recovery, he returned to the lineup roughly two weeks later, and on October 1 it was announced that he had won the 2010 Willie Mac Award
. He finished the year having led the Giants in stolen bases with 26. Torres had one stolen base in the World Series
but was caught twice in the postseason.
In 2002, Torres was diagnosed with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder
(ADHD). This caused him to almost instantly forget signs that coaches gave him. In 2007, Torres began taking medication to treat the condition. His medication has been helpful to him, and he is currently a spokesperson for ADHD.
Aguada, Puerto Rico
Aguada is a municipality of Puerto Rico, located in the western coastal valley region bordering the Atlantic Ocean, west of Rincón, Aguadilla and Moca; and north of Anasco. It is part of the Aguadilla-Isabela-San Sebastián Metropolitan Statistical Area...
, Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico , officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , is an unincorporated territory of the United States, located in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of both the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.Puerto Rico comprises an...
) is a Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
outfielder
Outfielder
Outfielder is a generic term applied to each of the people playing in the three defensive positions in baseball farthest from the batter. These defenders are the left fielder, the center fielder, and the right fielder...
with the San Francisco Giants
San Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
. He has also played for the Detroit Tigers
Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
and the Texas Rangers
Texas Rangers (baseball)
The Texas Rangers are a professional baseball team in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, based in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League, and are the reigning A.L. Western Division and A.L. Champions. Since , the Rangers have...
.
Early life
Torres attended Dr. Carlos Gonzalez High School and Miami-Dade Community CollegeMiami Dade College
Miami Dade College, or simply Miami Dade or MDC, is a state college with eight campuses and twenty-one outreach centers located throughout Miami-Dade County, Florida in the United States. It is part of the Florida College System. Miami Dade College is the largest school in the Florida College...
. He was a track and field star at Miami Dade, running the 100 meters in 10.37 seconds, the second fastest recorded 100 meter time for all major league baseball players, behind Deion Sanders
Deion Sanders
Deion Luwynn Sanders , nicknamed "Prime Time" and "Neon Deion", is a former National Football League cornerback and Major League Baseball outfielder who currently works as an NFL Network analyst...
' 10.26. He played very little baseball as a child in Puerto Rico, and did not become serious about becoming a professional baseball player until he was 18. In 1997, the Florida Marlins
Florida Marlins
The Miami Marlins are a professional baseball team based in Miami, Florida, United States. Established in 1993 as an expansion franchise called the Florida Marlins, the Marlins are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Marlins played their home games at...
drafted him in the twenty-third round of the MLB Draft
MLB Draft
The First-Year Player Draft, also known as the Rule 4 Draft, is Major League Baseball's primary mechanism for assigning amateur baseball players, from high schools, colleges, and other amateur baseball clubs, to its teams. The draft order is determined based on the previous season's standings, with...
, but he chose not to sign. He was then drafted by the Detroit Tigers
Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
in the fourth round of the 1998 MLB Draft
MLB Draft
The First-Year Player Draft, also known as the Rule 4 Draft, is Major League Baseball's primary mechanism for assigning amateur baseball players, from high schools, colleges, and other amateur baseball clubs, to its teams. The draft order is determined based on the previous season's standings, with...
, and that time he signed.
Upcoming Documentary
Plan A Films is producing a feature length documentary about Torres titled Gigante. The film is directed by SundanceSundance Film Festival
The Sundance Film Festival is a film festival that takes place annually in Utah, in the United States. It is the largest independent cinema festival in the United States. Held in January in Park City, Salt Lake City, and Ogden, as well as at the Sundance Resort, the festival is a showcase for new...
Award-winning director Chusy Haney-Jardine.
Detroit Tigers (2002-04; 1st stint)
Torres failed to bat higher than .236 his first two years in the minors, but he did steal several bases. However, in 2000, while playing for the Lakeland TigersLakeland Tigers
The Lakeland Flying Tigers are a minor league baseball team based in Lakeland, Florida.Home games are played at Joker Marchant Stadium; opened in 1966 and renovated in 2003. The park, which also doubles as the Detroit Tigers spring training home, seats 8,500 fans...
, Torres posted what was arguably the best minor league season in his career. With Lakeland, he batted .296 with 65 stolen bases. During that season, he was promoted to the AA Jacksonville Suns
Jacksonville Suns
The Jacksonville Suns are a minor league baseball team based in Jacksonville, Florida. The team is currently a member of the Southern League and is the class Double-A affiliate of the Miami Marlins Major League Baseball team...
for a short period of time, however, he struggled in the AA league and was sent back to Lakeland. After spending 2001 with the AA Erie SeaWolves
Erie SeaWolves
The Erie SeaWolves are a minor league baseball team based in Erie, Pennsylvania. The team, which plays in the Eastern League, is the Double-A affiliate of the Detroit Tigers Major League Baseball club....
, Torres made the Detroit Tigers
Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
roster in 2002. However, he struggled in the majors, and was sent down shortly after the season began. He spent most of the year with the triple-A Toledo Mud Hens
Toledo Mud Hens
The Toledo Mud Hens are a minor league baseball team located in Toledo, Ohio. The Mud Hens play in the International League, and are affiliated with the major league baseball team the Detroit Tigers, based approximately 50 miles to the north of Toledo. The current team is one of several...
after that, and was called up in September after the minor league season was over.
The next season, Torres failed to make the Tigers out of spring training, but he split the season between Detroit and Toledo. On September 14, Torres hit his first home run, a solo shot off of Jimmy Gobble
Jimmy Gobble
Billy James Gobble is a Major League Baseball pitcher who is currently in the Colorado Rockies organization.-High school career:...
of the Kansas City Royals
Kansas City Royals
The Kansas City Royals are a Major League Baseball team based in Kansas City, Missouri. The Royals are a member of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From 1973 to the present, the Royals have played in Kauffman Stadium...
. Torres made the Tigers roster again in 2004, but he only appeared in three games (and didn't even have a plate appearance) before the Tigers attempted to outright him to the minors. Instead of going to the minors, Torres requested his release. He was granted free agency on April 22.
Chicago White Sox (2004)
Just four days after getting released by the Tigers, Torres signed with the Chicago White SoxChicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
. He spent the rest of the 2004 season in the minor leagues, playing very well with the AAA Charlotte Knights
Charlotte Knights
The Charlotte Knights are a minor league baseball team representing Charlotte, North Carolina. The team, which plays in the International League, is the Triple-A affiliate of the Chicago White Sox of the American League...
. After the season he filed for free agency.
Texas Rangers (2005)
On November 16, 2004, Torres was signed by the Texas RangersTexas Rangers (baseball)
The Texas Rangers are a professional baseball team in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, based in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League, and are the reigning A.L. Western Division and A.L. Champions. Since , the Rangers have...
. He started 2005 with the AAA Oklahoma RedHawks
Oklahoma RedHawks
The Oklahoma City RedHawks are a minor league baseball team based in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The team, which plays in the Pacific Coast League, is the Triple-A affiliate of the Houston Astros...
, but he only played in 15 games before getting called up by the Rangers. However, the Rangers released him on June 12 after he batted .158 in 8 games with them.
Minnesota Twins (2006)
Torres signed with the Minnesota TwinsMinnesota Twins
The Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and the...
on December 25, 2005. He spent the entire 2006 season with the AAA Rochester Red Wings
Rochester Red Wings
The Rochester Red Wings are a minor league baseball team based in Rochester, New York. The team plays in the International League and is the Triple-A affiliate of the Minnesota Twins major-league club. The Red Wings play in Frontier Field, located in downtown Rochester.The Red Wings were an...
, batting .236 with them in 116 games. He became a free agent after the season.
Detroit Tigers (2007; 2nd stint)
On March 2, 2007, Torres again signed with the Detroit TigersDetroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
. He was assigned to AA, but he did so well the Tigers promoted him to AAA during the season. Following the year, he again filed for free agency.
Chicago Cubs (2008)
On November 20, 2007, Torres signed with the Chicago CubsChicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
. He spent the entire season with the AAA Iowa Cubs
Iowa Cubs
The Iowa Cubs are a Triple-A minor league baseball team, affiliated with the Chicago Cubs, that plays in the Pacific Coast League. Their home games are played in Des Moines, Iowa, at Principal Park.-Franchise history:...
. He had a very good year, batting .306 in 118 games with 11 home runs. However, he once again filed for free agency following the season.
San Francisco Giants (2009-present)
Torres signed with the San Francisco GiantsSan Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
on January 9, 2009. Except for a minor league rehab assignment, he spent the entire year in the majors. On June 15 he hit the 48th "Splash Hit" at AT&T Park
AT&T Park
AT&T Park is a ballpark located in the South Beach neighborhood of San Francisco, California. Located at 24 Willie Mays Plaza, at the corner of Third and King Streets, it has served as the home of the San Francisco Giants of Major League Baseball since 2000....
. He finished the year with a career high .270 batting average. In 2010, he became the Giants' official starting center fielder after Aaron Rowand
Aaron Rowand
Aaron Ryan Rowand is an outfielder in Major League Baseball who has played for the San Francisco Giants, Chicago White Sox and the Philadelphia Phillies. He was released by the Giants in September 2011.-Early life and college career:...
suffered an injury. On the morning of September 12, he woke up with severe stomach pain and was diagnosed with appendicitis
Appendicitis
Appendicitis is a condition characterized by inflammation of the appendix. It is classified as a medical emergency and many cases require removal of the inflamed appendix, either by laparotomy or laparoscopy. Untreated, mortality is high, mainly because of the risk of rupture leading to...
. He underwent an appendectomy the same day. After a speedy recovery, he returned to the lineup roughly two weeks later, and on October 1 it was announced that he had won the 2010 Willie Mac Award
Willie Mac Award
The Willie Mac Award is named in honor of Willie McCovey. It has been presented annually since 1980. It is awarded to the player on the San Francisco Giants who best exemplifies the spirit and leadership consistently shown by McCovey throughout his long career, voted upon by the players and...
. He finished the year having led the Giants in stolen bases with 26. Torres had one stolen base in the World Series
World Series
The World Series is the annual championship series of Major League Baseball, played between the American League and National League champions since 1903. The winner of the World Series championship is determined through a best-of-seven playoff and awarded the Commissioner's Trophy...
but was caught twice in the postseason.
Personal life
Torres is married to Soannie Mendoza.In 2002, Torres was diagnosed with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder
Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder is a developmental disorder. It is primarily characterized by "the co-existence of attentional problems and hyperactivity, with each behavior occurring infrequently alone" and symptoms starting before seven years of age.ADHD is the most commonly studied and...
(ADHD). This caused him to almost instantly forget signs that coaches gave him. In 2007, Torres began taking medication to treat the condition. His medication has been helpful to him, and he is currently a spokesperson for ADHD.