Luis Torrens has proven he deserves a shot. Now Mets backup catcher adapts to lesser role
Luis Torrens knows that what he's encountering with the Mets is just part of the business of baseball.
All a player can do is play up to their potential. After a little more than a month into the baseball season, the 29-year-old catcher did just that and deepened the level of trust from the Mets coaching staff.
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It started with an opportunity and perhaps a question. When Francisco Alvarez was sidelined with a fractured hamate bone in his left hand in early March, could Torrens shoulder the load as the Mets' regular starting catcher?
New York Mets catcher Luis Torrens (13) hits a two run single in the seventh inning against the Philadelphia Phillies on April 22, 2025, at Citi Field.
Torrens showed he could with the 23-year-old starting catcher on the mend, leading the Mets' pitching staff to the best ERA in baseball, playing elite defense and slashing .241/.279/.397 with one home run, six doubles and eight RBI in 21 games.
"I just want to help my team win. That's all I care about," Torrens said. "Sometimes throwing people out, sometimes making the right calls, sometimes blocking the ball, sometimes receiving. You're always trying to be good in everything. It's hard to be good, but just trying to be my best version that day."
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Since being acquired by the Mets in a trade with the Yankees for cash last May, Torrens has carved out a role with the team. Early this season, he took it a step further. Now comes his toughest task: maintaining that level consistently while seeing irregular playing time.
Luis Torrens provides elite defense
St. Louis Cardinals third baseman Nolan Arenado (28, left) is caught in a rundown between third and home and is eventually tagged out by New York Mets catcher Luis Torrens (13) on May 4, 2025, at Busch Stadium.
A season ago, the Mets were one of the worst teams in MLB in curbing opponents on the bases.
The Mets' opposition stole 140 bases against them — an average of .86 steals per game, fourth-worst in the league. When Torrens arrived, he proved to help in that area, throwing out 48 percent of attempting base-steals.
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So far this season, with Torrens and Hayden Senger receiving the majority of the chances behind the plate in the early going, the Mets have limited opponents to 14 stolen bases — .39 per game, second-best in MLB.
Torrens has been a big reason why. He's thrown out six of the 12 stolen base attempts this season. He called it a team effort to ensure that teams' running games are held in check.
"He's got that ability," Mets catching coordinator Glen Sherlock said. "He's able to get the ball in his hand and really get off a quality throw and stay very consistent with it."
Torrens takes pride in his defense. He made one of the biggest defensive highlights last season in the London Series when he jump-started a game-clinching double play.
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As a more-than-capable backstop, that's one area where Torrens has earned a shot.
"It's good when people are comparing you with the best in the game (on defense), and I'm just trying to keep working and keep getting better in other parts of my game to be an elite player," Torrens said. "Especially when you play for the Mets, it's a good opportunity to show the world."
Now, Luis Torrens has proven he can hit
New York Mets catcher Luis Torrens (13) talks with Athletics first baseman Tyler Soderstrom (21) after hitting an RBI-single during the sixth inning on April 13, 2025, at Sutter Health Park.
One of those big areas of improvement for Torrens has been at the plate this season, where through 36 games, he is hitting the ball hard 56.9 percent of the time and barreling it 17.6 percent of the time.
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For Torrens, that early success comes down to consistency.
"I always say the confidence you have when you play often, that helps a lot, for sure," Torrens said. "Just how I prepare myself before the games and so far it works well, so keep doing that."
In Torrens' mechanics, Mets hitting coach Jeremy Barnes sees a more efficient lower half when the catcher is at the plate, a product of some changes to his body position and holding his load.
More than half of Torrens' 16 hits this season have gone to the opposite field.
"If I'm not in good position, I may be flying out or having to use my hands a lot more," Barnes said. "I like his whole approach and how he's been going about things. We always knew he's a talented player, but it's cool to get to see it play out."
Staying fresh
It's no secret that Alvarez figures to get the lion's share of playing time now that he's back behind the plate.
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Alvarez proved his potential during his rookie season in 2023 when he became just the second rookie catcher in history to poke 25 home runs, joining the elite company of Johnny Bench.
But now, Torrens has shown the added wrinkle of offensive efficiency to his capable defense. And the challenge for the 29-year-old and the coaching staff is keeping him in a position to keep that quality going.
"There's no way we can replicate a game but just trying to stay on top of velocity, mixed pitch BP, that type of thing," Barnes said. "It can keep him as sharp as possible. And keeping the swing simple. If we get real complex with our timing and all that kind of stuff, it's hard to stay on top of if we're not getting regular at-bats."
For Torrens, it's back to making the most of his opportunities.
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"I know this is something you have to earn," Torrens. "Nobody is going to give it to you. Just take advantage of the opportunities and keep trying to do my best on the field."
It's another good problem for the Mets to have.
"It only helps our team to basically have two catchers that can be starters anywhere in the league, almost," Barnes said. "Obviously Alvy is special and incredible, but Luis, to me, is a starter in this league, as well. To have both of those guys on our team, we're really blessed with that."
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: NY Mets: Luis Torrens proved his worth, now he adapts to lesser role
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