Gleyber Torres leading Yankees from top of batting lineup

Aaron Boone's initial choice for the Yankees' leadoff hitter, Gleyber Torres, faced challenges at the start of the season, struggling with a .200 batting average and a .521 OPS in his first 12 games. As the season progressed, Boone shifted Torres down the order, allowing Anthony Volpe to rise in prominence. However, Torres has since returned to the top of the lineup, showcasing a resurgence with a .406 on-base percentage over the last seven games. Despite a modest 1-for-4 performance recently, Torres has demonstrated improvement, going 7-for-26 with six walks and five strikeouts. Boone noted that Torres has not altered his approach significantly since the lineup switch, but he remains optimistic about Torres's potential, citing his ability to engage in lengthy at-bats. Torres's overall OPS stands at .664, reflecting a tough start to the season but hinting at a turnaround. Torres himself downplayed any added pressure from batting ahead of stars Juan Soto and Aaron Judge, attributing his recent success to ongoing adjustments in his swing rather than his batting order position. He expressed confidence in his performance, highlighted by a double in a recent game that extended his on-base streak to 18 games, during which he is hitting .275. As Torres approaches free agency, his desire to remain with the Yankees is evident, though the team's financial commitments to retaining Soto may complicate his future with the franchise. Boone acknowledged Torres's value in enhancing the lineup when he is performing at his best.