Royals Bolster Lineup; Sign Former Angels Farmhand Torres
GUELPH - The Guelph Royals Baseball Club is excited to announce today the signing of catcher Franklin Torres.
Torres, 26, joins the Royals after finishing a successful season in the LMBP, the top summer league in Venezuela.
In the LMBP, the former Los Angeles Angels farmhand batted .329-.430-.445 with three home runs, walking more (24) than he struck out (20).
Torres, who made it as far as AAA in the Angels system, fills the biggest hole the Royals had: the starting catcher position.
The native of Maracay, Venezuela will make his debut against the Barrie Baycats on Thursday.
To make room for Torres on the roster, the team has placed import infielder Ryosuke Ohashi on the inactive list.
Royals manager Dino Roumel said he is thrilled to add an impact catcher in Torres.
"A starting catcher is something we have long sought after, so we are very excited to add Torres. With his bat-to-ball skills, his defensive versatility, and his pro experience, we are looking forward to getting Franklin in the lineup."