Top prospect Torres makes MLB debut as Yankees go young

With prized prospect Gleyber Torres on board, the New York Yankees are going young.

After getting called up from the minors, Torres made his highly anticipated major league debut Sunday against Toronto. The 21-year-old infielder was at second base, batting eighth in a Yankees lineup that didn’t include a player 30 or older for the first time since Sept. 29, 1989, according to STATS.

Veteran left fielder Brett Gardner was rested, so the senior starter on the field was 29-yearold catcher Austin Romine.

Rated among the top five or six prospects in baseball, Torres became the youngest position player to appear in a game for the Yankees since 20-year-old Melky Cabrera in 2005.

Atlanta second baseman Ozzie Albies, also 21, is the only major leaguer younger than Torres to play in a game this season.

“We just feel like he’s ready,” New York manager Aaron Boone said. “We think he has a chance to be a special player.”

The crowd at Yankee Stadium buzzed when Torres came to the plate for the first time with two runners in scoring position in the second inning.

He received a warm ovation, then struck out swinging at an 82-mile-per-hour curveball from Blue Jays left-hander Jaime Garcia for the second out.

Torres was recalled from TripleA Scranton/wilkes-barre, where he was hitting .347 with a home run, three doubles, one triple and 11 RBI. He got the news from Railriders manager Bobby Mitchell, with his teammates around to take part in the celebration.

“A little bit surprised. Excited, and super happy,” Torres said. “I think every player has their dreams.”

Torres can play all over the infield, but for now Boone said the club plans to play him on a regular basis at second base.

He finished 0- for- 4 at the plate as the Yankees beat Toronto 5-1.