STLtoday.com

I don’t understand why he hasn’t got a chance in the big leagues yet. Why did the brewers give up on him? Obviously, bloom thinks a lot of him. But, no one else talks about him. All he does is rake and get on base. I’m guessing the lack of power and speed on the base paths is what’s hurting him the most. But isn’t that the same player Donnie was?? I really hope he goes off in spring training.

I would like to see him get some AB's especially late in spring training when the best pitchers are pitching more and trying harder for results.

Jobafish wrote: ↑09 Feb 2026 00:48 am I don’t understand why he hasn’t got a chance in the big leagues yet. Why did the brewers give up on him? Obviously, bloom thinks a lot of him. But, no one else talks about him. All he does is rake and get on base. I’m guessing the lack of power and speed on the base paths is what’s hurting him the most. But isn’t that the same player Donnie was?? I really hope he goes off in spring training.

Brewers lineup is loaded with similar skill set guys. Maybe they thought he was expendable.

He’s very small, hits for no power, and doesn’t seem to be able to play CF well. Brendan Donovan isn’t a comparison, as Donovan weighs about 50 pounds more than him. I don’t see how a guy his size can be a corner OF on an MLB team actually trying to win. I’m sure he’ll get his shot next season since the Cardinals are looking to start the season with 0 healthy MLB starting lineup quality OF’s.

zoiks wrote: ↑09 Feb 2026 08:05 am He’s very small, hits for no power, and doesn’t seem to be able to play CF well. Brendan Donovan isn’t a comparison, as Donovan weighs about 50 pounds more than him. I don’t see how a guy his size can be a corner OF on an MLB team actually trying to win. I’m sure he’ll get his shot next season since the Cardinals are looking to start the season with 0 healthy MLB starting lineup quality OF’s.

No one is suggesting that he is the frontline answer to anything. He has positional versatility and gets on base at an exceptional rate. Those are his calling cards. Maybe that's helpful. So Taguchi didn't carry the Cardinals when he was here, but he was useful.

If the Cardinals believe he is too small to give him a shot at the Bigs, why do they even have him on a roster?

zoiks wrote: ↑09 Feb 2026 08:05 am He’s very small, hits for no power, and doesn’t seem to be able to play CF well. Brendan Donovan isn’t a comparison, as Donovan weighs about 50 pounds more than him. I don’t see how a guy his size can be a corner OF on an MLB team actually trying to win. I’m sure he’ll get his shot next season since the Cardinals are looking to start the season with 0 healthy MLB starting lineup quality OF’s.

Donovan might weigh 50 pounds more than torres but he doesn’t have much more power

Ive been saying this for a while.....Torres should be our leadoff hitter on OD!

Cardinals4Life wrote: ↑09 Feb 2026 11:52 am Ive been saying this for a while.....Torres should be our leadoff hitter on OD!

I agree. Even maybe as a dh. I know that’s not the norm, but I like his stats a lot more the vsII. I’m just going off of stats alone though. I just feel like the guy has been mismanaged and had to play out of position just to get on the field to prove himself. He’s played a lot of innings at 1B and is only 5’8” with little pop. Why?? Just crazy to me. Let the guy be Donnie and play an of corner, 2b, 3B, dh, and let him rake in front of jj and herrara.

Jobafish wrote: ↑09 Feb 2026 12:11 pm

Cardinals4Life wrote: ↑09 Feb 2026 11:52 am Ive been saying this for a while.....Torres should be our leadoff hitter on OD!

I agree. Even maybe as a dh. I know that’s not the norm, but I like his stats a lot more the vsII. I’m just going off of stats alone though. I just feel like the guy has been mismanaged and had to play out of position just to get on the field to prove himself. He’s played a lot of innings at 1B and is only 5’8” with little pop. Why?? Just crazy to me. Let the guy be Donnie and play an of corner, 2b, 3B, dh, and let him rake in front of jj and herrara.

I like him, and want him to get a shot, but he is not going to rake. He is probably going to get on base a lot.

Jobafish wrote: ↑09 Feb 2026 12:11 pm

Cardinals4Life wrote: ↑09 Feb 2026 11:52 am Ive been saying this for a while.....Torres should be our leadoff hitter on OD!

I agree. Even maybe as a dh. I know that’s not the norm, but I like his stats a lot more the vsII. I’m just going off of stats alone though. I just feel like the guy has been mismanaged and had to play out of position just to get on the field to prove himself. He’s played a lot of innings at 1B and is only 5’8” with little pop. Why?? Just crazy to me. Let the guy be Donnie and play an of corner, 2b, 3B, dh, and let him rake in front of jj and herrara.

He is what happens to low ceiling slap hitter types. There is often
someone just like him or with a smidge more upside. The reality of life
as a MiLB prospect.

Donovan got an opportunity and cashed in on it. His inner drive separated him
from others. In a different organization maybe that opportunity goes to someone else.
JMO, if slap hitter multiple position player is the profile, I prefer the
player that can run a little, which makes the chance that Donnie received
more special as his running was average at his peak.

Jobafish wrote: ↑09 Feb 2026 12:11 pm

Cardinals4Life wrote: ↑09 Feb 2026 11:52 am Ive been saying this for a while.....Torres should be our leadoff hitter on OD!

I agree. Even maybe as a dh. I know that’s not the norm, but I like his stats a lot more the vsII. I’m just going off of stats alone though. I just feel like the guy has been mismanaged and had to play out of position just to get on the field to prove himself. He’s played a lot of innings at 1B and is only 5’8” with little pop. Why?? Just crazy to me. Let the guy be Donnie and play an of corner, 2b, 3B, dh, and let him rake in front of jj and herrara.

I haven't known him to play much 1B the last 2 seasons. Mostly 2B, CF, and corner OF, I believe. I watched him a lot in Springfield and Memphis. Guy has a lot of heart and ks a very good, gritty, leadoff hitter who doesn't strike out much. Lot to like there (especially if you are an old school guy, like me).
We need a leadoff hitter and conveniently have a LF and DH spot open.

Stick him at leadoff and see what he can do. Put VSII in the 9 hole and act as a pseudo-leadoff hitter in front of Torres. Put JJ in the 2 hole. Baptism by fire. Those 3 provide speed/OBP/and good bat to ball skills. Could wreak havoc for us as tablesetters.

zoiks wrote: ↑09 Feb 2026 08:05 am He’s very small, hits for no power, and doesn’t seem to be able to play CF well. Brendan Donovan isn’t a comparison, as Donovan weighs about 50 pounds more than him. I don’t see how a guy his size can be a corner OF on an MLB team actually trying to win. I’m sure he’ll get his shot next season since the Cardinals are looking to start the season with 0 healthy MLB starting lineup quality OF’s.

Well, for one, as much as I agree with Bloom and appreciate what he's done so far, this year isn't about winning, no matter what he says. So I wouldn't mind seeing Torres get a shot. Maybe he holds LF down until Noot is healthy again. Maybe he shows enough that he can stick with the team. Maybe he doesn't. Might as well find out while expectations are low. Maybe he doesn't show enough to be a starter, but he shows enough that he can be a cheap, versatile option off the bench. That's value. Surplus value. Because if you can play multiple positions at an average or above level and hit enough to not be a total zero, that's got some value. Maybe that's all he is. Maybe he turns into something that does claw out a starting role.

You guys are sure grasping at straws while trying to find a reason that the near future isn’t bleak for the team. The Cardinals re going to be terrible for at least the next few years. 165 pound castoffs from other teams is not going to change this.

zoiks wrote: ↑09 Feb 2026 17:10 pm You guys are sure grasping at straws while trying to find a reason that the near future isn’t bleak for the team. The Cardinals re going to be terrible for at least the next few years. 165 pound castoffs from other teams is not going to change this.

Ya know, we'll have to wait and see. My optimism won't make them one game better and your pessimism won't make them one game poorer.

It’s curious as to how a couple of posters claim Torres doesn't have any speed, when in one minor league season he had 71 stolen bases. He has had 59 steals in two seasons while being in the Cardinals organization. The guy gets on base and scores runs. He actually has been decent at driving in runs too, considering where he usually bats in the order.
The Cardinals need more team speed and ways of generating offense other than hitting home runs, Torres provides that.