Getting The Job Done With Eric Torres

When asked about his mound mentality as a closer, Rocket City Trash Pandas lefty Eric Torres didn’t hesitate in saying that doubting himself was not an option.

“When you’re on the mound, you’ve got to have a 100 percent belief that you’re going to get the job done and that it’s going to happen,” said Torres. “If I’m coming in for one inning, then I have to think that no one is going to hit the ball. You have to believe that nobody is going to hit anything you throw. That has to be the mindset.”

That same mound mentality has successfully landed Torres as the Southern League leader in saves with 10, the most recent of which occurred on back-to-back nights on July 3 in Tennessee then at home on July 4 against Chattanooga. Torres’ 10 contributes to the team overall record of 25 saves, ranking Rocket City first overall in the Southern League.

Your league leader in saves: Eric Torres 🔐⬇️ pic.twitter.com/6mXaiBGHnl

— Rocket City Trash Pandas (@trashpandas) July 5, 2022

Hailing from Milwaukee, Torres played baseball throughout his childhood before committing to Kansas State University where he would play three years of collegiate baseball and be named to the Big 12 Championship All-Tournament Team in 2021. In that same year, Torres was selected by the Angels in the 14th round of the draft and made his professional debut with Tri-City in Pasco, Washington. While at Tri-City, Torres boasted eight appearances that included four holds and six scoreless outings.

When asked about the difference between collegiate baseball and professional baseball, Torres revealed that at the end of the day, they weren’t too different.

“Really what it comes down to is having your intent level there the entire time,” said Torres. “You can’t take a single pitch off. It’s the same game, but everybody here is so good.”

With one full year of professional baseball under his belt, Torres reflects on his development and growth in baseball to reveal that a strength advantage makes all the difference in an athlete.

“Strength is a big determiner, I think. I never got in the weight room in high school and I probably would’ve done a little better if I had,” he said. “Here, everybody is strong and everybody can hit the ball out of the infield. Strength plays a big part.”

Torres’ baseball career has carried him mainly through the northwest United States. Having lived in Wisconsin, Kansas, and Washington, the state of Alabama was a new adventure for the young pitcher.

“That was a pretty crazy transition,” said Torres about moving to Alabama. “I mean the heat is another level and I’m just not used to heat this long.”

His favorite thing about being in Alabama? The breakfast.

“You guys have some really good breakfast, I will admit,” said Torres. “Anywhere you go in the South there’s one spot that does the good biscuits and gravy. Everyone is very nice down here and very welcoming as well.”

Torres looks to continue his work on the mound for the playoff-bound Trash Pandas as they continue the second half this weekend against Chattanooga before a six-game road series against the Mississippi Braves.