Toro tallies five-hit night for Round Rock
Although he's spent less than a week in the Pacific Coast League, Abraham Toro is fitting right in when it comes to the circuit's penchant for offense. Houston's sixth-ranked prospect pounded out a season-high five hits as Triple-A Round Rock outslugged El Paso for a 12-11 win at Southwest University Park.
Although he's spent less than a week in the Pacific Coast League,
Houston's sixth-ranked prospect pounded out a season-high five hits as Triple-A Round Rock outslugged El Paso for a 12-11 win at Southwest University Park. Toro doubled, plated three runs and scored twice.
"I was out there before batting practice, watching balls out of the stadium," Toro said through a team translator. "I figured I'd have a good chance in the box tonight against their staff."
He figured correctly. The switch-hitter smacked a single to center field in his first at-bat off left-hander
After lining out to Keel in the fifth, Toro delivered another single on the first pitch in the sixth, grounding a single to right off righty
Gameday box score
Mayfield's blast put Round Rock up, 9-6, but El Paso came storming back with three runs in the bottom of the eighth. Cue Toro, whose final plate appearance in the ninth sealed the victory for the Express.
After
"He's a pro and goes about his business," Round Rock hitting coach Ben Rosenthal said. "I'm not surprised he's had a good start.
"You can put him anywhere in the order, he's going to do the same. He's going to put a good swing on it. Every at bat is important. That's what great about him ... That's why he's successful."
Rosenthal has spent time coaching Toro each of the previous two seasons. What sets the infielder apart from others, he says, is his adaptability.
"He's improved everything," the coach remarked. "He's bought in. He's coachable, he listens and he does his work. ... You tell him something or show him something and he'll put it into play pretty much immediately.
"For guys like him, it's not hard to adjust," he added. "He won't put too much pressure on himself."
Toro spent the first 98 games of the season with Double-A Corpus Christi, where he compiled a .306/.393/.513 slash line and represented the Hooks in the Texas League All-Star Game. His on-base percentage and slugging percentage topped the circuit, with his average ranking second and his 16 homers tied for third at the time of his promotion. After joining the Express on Aug. 1, Toro has gone 10-for-24 (.417) in six games.
Mayfield and Straw both turned in three-hit nights, with Mayfield driving in four runs and Straw plating two.
For El Paso,
Katie Woo is a contributor to MiLB.com. Follow her on Twitter @katiejwoo.