Mariners Sign Venezuelan Pitcher โคJosรฉ Gabriel Torres,โค 25, After โPandemic Breakthrough
SEATTLE, WA -โค The Seattle Marinersโ have announced the signing โof right-handed pitcher โJosรฉ Gabriel Torres, a 25-year-old Venezuelan native who reached a career โvelocity milestone after overcoming a significant injury during the COVID-19 pandemic. The signing, first reported by the lions of Yucatรกn, adds an intriguing arm โคto the Mariners’ organization with a unique backstory and impressive fastball.
Torres’ pathโข to professional โฃbaseball is unconventional. Whileโค many players are signed in their teens, Torres’ โฃopportunity materialized โlater in life, fueled by perseverance and a fortunate recovery. He pitched for the Margarita Bravesโข in 2024 and most recently with Los Leones de Yucatรกn, where โhe faced โขestablished hitters like Eugenio Suarez, Sosa island, and Luke Voit. This late surge is particularly notable given a period of adversity during the pandemic, which ultimately unlocked his potential.
The turning โpoint for Torres came during โthe 2020 COVID-19 pandemic.He used โthe โdowntime to address osteophytes in hisโ right elbow, requiring a surgical procedure. Upon completing his rehabilitation, Torres discovered he โคhad gained fiveโข miles per hour on his fastball, now consistently reaching 100 mph.”You โขcan’t give upโค on aโค dream just because someone tells youโข that you’re too old,” Torres stated. “If you work hard, have discipline and the conditions, your time โwill come.”
The Mariners are betting that Torres’ late-blooming โvelocity and dedication will translate toโข success โคwithin their system. The signing underscores the organization’s commitment to identifying and developing talent from diverse backgrounds and unconventional paths. Torres’ journey serves as an inspiration, demonstrating that age and past setbacks don’t necessarilyโข define a player’s potential.
Photo: Josรฉ Gabriel Torres on instagram
