Cincinnati Reds sign reliever Lenny Torres..

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The Cincinnati Reds have made a rare offseason move by signing right-handed reliever Lenny Torres to a minor league deal. This signing comes after a relatively quiet free agency period for the Reds, who recently claimed Roansy Contreras from the Texas Rangers but have yet to sign anyone to a major league contract. Torres, a former top draft pick, became a minor league free agent in early November.

Originally drafted by Cleveland in 2018 as the 41st overall pick out of Beacon High School, the then-17-year-old showed promise in his debut, pitching 15.1 innings across six games. Unfortunately, his career faced setbacks due to Tommy John surgery in 2019 and the cancellation of the 2020 minor league season.

Torres returned to the field in 2021 as a starter in Low-A (now Single-A), but control issues contributed to a disappointing 6.29 ERA. Transitioning to a bullpen role in 2022, he continued to struggle with command until 2024, when he found success at Double-A Akron. Over 51.2 innings, Torres improved significantly, cutting down on walks and posting a stellar 2.26 ERA, a stark contrast to his previous seasons. He also recorded 63 strikeouts, showcasing his ability to dominate hitters.

Torres features a mid-90s fastball that can touch 99 mph and a sharp breaking ball in the mid-80s, both of which have big-league potential. While he currently lacks an invitation to major league spring training, his improved control and refined arsenal could position him as a valuable future bullpen arm. The key for Torres will be maintaining his progress in limiting walks, which could unlock his potential at the major league level.