Photos – Nick Torres trying to make impression in first spring

Nick Torres is working hard this spring to make an impression on Padres management. By Owen Main

Spring training is a wonderland for baseball geeks. For me, one of the great things about this trip (my third) was getting up early and getting out to the various fields, trying to find guys who are less-known.

This year, I tried to track down Cal Poly guys. I was successful on three out of five. Next time (I tell myself now), I’ll stay out not as late, wake up earlier, and get to see all the guys I go for.

Nick Torres was an interesting study. A fourth-round pick after his junior year at Cal Poly last season, Torres was pretty easily found shagging balls in right field and taking big swings.

The next day, I found Torres on a back field at Camelback, playing a High-A game against the White Sox. When I didn’t see him go into the field in the top of the 7th inning, my heart kind of sank. I figured he’d been replaced and I’d missed him. Never to fear, Nick came up as the Designated Hitter two innings later. He put a few cuts on balls, but White Sox pitchers were allergic to the strike zone and Nick, like about four other Padres that inning, walked.

It will be interesting to see if Torres’ gap power can turn into something more at the next level and to see how his game translates to the next level.

A quick note about the Padres’ facility in Peoria: 

I was really impressed with the back fields. They aren’t secluded like many other teams’ fields are. The access is really great, and things are done with fans in mind. There are lots of volunteer ushers and people who know what’s going on, the Padres’ building is open for anyone to go into and pick up rosters, etc… , and everyone at the facility just seemed a little more casual and accommodating to fans than a few other places. I really liked it.

OK, back to Torres.

There’s still a lot of work to be done this spring, but it’s actually possible (though not likely), depending on how they do over the next weeks and months, that both Torres and former Cal Poly teammate Jimmy Allen could play for Class-A teams in the California League for their respective organizations. If they end up there, who’s in with my on a road trip to Lake Elsinore or Rancho Cucamonga?

Photos by Owen Main