Beacon MLB Prospect Looks to Grow Following Tommy John Surgery

Though it’s not a common analogy, referring to Tommy John surgery as a breakup might be the most fitting distinction yet. That’s how Lenny Torres, a Beacon native who has become one of the Cleveland Indians’ top prospects, is viewing his recovery from an incredibly invasive, quite complicated surgery, particularly when the man under the knife throws a ball for a living.

“It’s a heartbreak,” Torres told the Poughkeepsie Journal last week. “It feels like getting dumped by a girlfriend you’re in love with.”

The former Beacon high school star underwent Tommy John surgery — a common but difficult procedure that reconstructs the ligament using a graft — last April, an injury that has the ability to sideline a player for 12 to 15 months. For Torres, a young, high-speed pitcher, the process is even more daunting; the early years of a career are where a player is meant to do the bulk of his development. The remainder of the career is refinement and the work toward perfecting one’s craft, but the beginning is when everything is instilled. So imagine a player missing a chunk of that portion.

But Torres is approaching things a bit differently and has back-up in his pursuit. Though he’s acknowledged the evident and visceral heartbreak, he’s been supported by his agent, the organization, and its officials. His father told the Journal that they all explained to him how common this is and gave him examples of people who’ve overcome it. We tried to keep him focused on the positive and looking forward. I think those talks, and having people to lean on, really helped him.” As Torres recovers, the “Tribe” has been quite supportive, communicating with their young star and his family.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XALYbb-WI-o

Torres isn’t merely one prospect in a long line of possible additions; he’s a stud, and the stats sing a similar tune. In his first season — 2018 for the Indians’ minor league affiliate in Arizona — Torres played in six games, starting five, and finished the year with an ERA of 1.76 and a WHIP of 1.174. In 15 innings pitched, he tallied 22 strikeouts alongside only four walks and a dominant three runs.

“He lit up rookie [league] ball,” MLB Network producer Matt Rzodkiewicz said. “I would certainly call his numbers there impressive.” Torres, who Cleveland drafted with their third overall pick last year, was throwing up to 95 miles per hour prior to the surgery.

During his recovery, Torres has put on 15 pounds, those he dedicates to extreme workouts in preparation for his return. It may be some time, but the progress is there; so is the attitude.

“Every bit of progress is significant, so him getting back on the mound will be special,” his father told the Journal. “A setback gives you perspective, so we’re gonna appreciate every moment.”