Baseball is a worldwide game with players from all around the globe coming to the United States to play professional baseball. In the major leagues today, some of the up incoming stars are Puerto Rican, including Carlos Correa, Francisco Lindor and Javier Baez.
Not only are all three players making an impact on their respective teams, but they are also serving as role models to inspiring teenage baseball players in their native country.
Ricardo De La Torre is an 18-year-old shortstop from Juana Diaz, P.R. with aspirations of playing in the major leagues one day. While 257 Puerto Ricans have played at baseball’s highest level, the country’s young stars have impacted baseball players in Puerto Rico.
“It’s cool for us because Carlos Correa, Francisco Lindor and Javier Baez have opened doors for scouts to come to Puerto Rico to see prospects here,” De La Torre said. “Because of those three, we have a big opportunity with scouts now coming here.”
De La Torre is an intriguing and skilled prep baseball player who has a bright future ahead. An Auburn University commit, he will have the opportunity this June to pursue a career in professional baseball.
Baseball America ranks the well-regarded Puerto Rican shortstop as the 45th-best prep prospect in June’s MLB First-Year Player Draft class.
With scouts paying close attention to De La Torre, who attends the Puerto Rico Baseball Academy, as the draft rapidly approaches, he’s received advice from Correa and Lindor about the draft process and playing professionally.
“If you’re a first-rounder or second-rounder you’re one of a lot people,” said De La Torre about the advice Correa gave him. “You need to work hard if you want to be a major league player. If you’re struggling, don’t think about that because all the players in the majors have struggled. Just work and be consistent.
“One month ago, Francisco Lindor also called me and gave me advice about the draft. He heard about me and we were talking about the same thing Carlos Correa said.”
A 6-foot-2, 175-pound shortstop, De La Torre has sky-high potential and an intriguing tool set offensively and defensively.
He has all the tools necessary to stick at shortstop long-term, possessing an extremely strong arm, advance footwork and solid speed.
Hitting from the right side of the plate, De La Torre is a line drive hitter who makes consistent, hard contact.
De La Torre has an aggressive approach at the plate and is dedicating time to improving offensively in hopes of becoming a well-rounded hitter, he said.
“My bat I’d like to improve more,” De La Torre said. “Just working in the cages off the tee. Just working on my hands to keep them in and hitting it up the middle.”
De La Torre believes he’s ready for pro baseball, but isn’t rushing to a decision about his future just yet. As the draft looms, he plans on conversing with people close to him for advice and guidance.
“I’m going to think about it and talk to my agent and parents,” De La Torre said. “I always want to be a pro player. For me, I think I’m going to be a pro player, but I need to talk to my parents about that and make that decision with the draft.”
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