Carlos Ephriam Torres (born October 22, 1982) is an American former
professional baseball
Professional baseball is organized baseball in which players are selected for their talents and are paid to play for a specific team or club system. It is played in leagues and associated farm teams throughout the world.
Modern professiona ...
pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throws ("pitches") the Baseball (ball), baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of out (baseball), retiring a batter (baseball), batter, who attempts to e ...
. He played in
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball (MLB) is a professional baseball organization and the oldest major professional sports league in the world. MLB is composed of 30 total teams, divided equally between the National League (NL) and the American League (AL) ...
(MLB) for the
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are an American professional baseball team based in Chicago. The White Sox compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) Central division. The team is owned by Jerry Reinsdorf, and ...
,
Colorado Rockies
The Colorado Rockies are an American professional baseball team based in Denver. The Rockies compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) West division. The team plays its home baseball games at Coors Fi ...
,
New York Mets
The New York Mets are an American professional baseball team based in the New York City borough of Queens. The Mets compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member of the National League (NL) East division. They are one of two major leagu ...
,
Milwaukee Brewers
The Milwaukee Brewers are an American professional baseball team based in Milwaukee. They compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) Central division. The Brewers are named for the city's association wi ...
,
Washington Nationals
The Washington Nationals are an American professional baseball team based in Washington, D.C.. They compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member of the National League (NL) East division. From 2005 to 2007, the team played in RFK Stadi ...
, and
Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are an American professional baseball team based in Detroit. The Tigers compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member of the American League (AL) Central division. One of the AL's eight charter franchises, the club was f ...
and for the
Yomiuri Giants
The are a Japanese professional baseball team competing in Nippon Professional Baseball's Central League. Based in Bunkyo, Tokyo, they are one of two professional baseball teams based in Tokyo, the other being the Tokyo Yakult Swallows. They ...
of
Nippon Professional Baseball
or NPB is the highest level of baseball in Japan. Locally, it is often called , meaning ''Professional Baseball''.
Outside Japan, it is often just referred to as "Japanese baseball". The roots of the league can be traced back to the formatio ...
(NPB).
Early life
Carlos Torres was born in
Santa Cruz, California
Santa Cruz ( Spanish for "Holy Cross") is the county seat and largest city of Santa Cruz County, in Northern California. As of the 2020 census, the city population was 62,956. Situated on the northern edge of Monterey Bay, Santa Cruz is a pop ...
after his father, Jose, emigrated from
Zacatecas, Mexico.
As a child, Torres moved from house to house in
Santa Cruz County's "south county" agricultural region where his father looked for work to support his five children.
Before focusing on baseball, Torres lettered in four sports (
baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each, taking turns batting and fielding. The game occurs over the course of several plays, with each play generally beginning when a player on the fielding ...
,
football,
basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams, most commonly of five players each, opposing one another on a rectangular court, compete with the primary objective of shooting a basketball (approximately in diameter) through the defender's h ...
and
track and field
Track and field is a sport that includes athletic contests based on running, jumping, and throwing skills. The name is derived from where the sport takes place, a running track and a grass field for the throwing and some of the jumping eve ...
) at
Aptos High School
Aptos High School is a comprehensive secondary school in Aptos, California, USA in the Pajaro Valley Unified School District. Aptos High serves the communities of Rio Del Mar, Corralitos, Seacliff, Seascape, La Selva Beach, Buena Vista and Wats ...
, graduating in 2000.
His father encouraged his playing sports in order to keep him active and out of trouble.
Career
College
Torres first began his collegiate career at
Allan Hancock College
Allan Hancock College is a public community college in Santa Maria, California.
History
In 1920 Allan Hancock College was started by the Santa Maria High School District. Originally called Santa Maria Junior College, classes were held until ...
then moved up north to
San Jose City College
San José City College (SJCC) is a public community college in San Jose, California. Founded in 1921, SJCC is located in the West San Jose neighborhood of Fruitdale.
History
The college was founded in 1921, opening its doors to students in Sep ...
before transferring to
San Jose State University
San José State University (San Jose State or SJSU) is a public university in San Jose, California. Established in 1857, SJSU is the oldest public university on the West Coast and the founding campus of the California State University (CSU) sy ...
, pitching in 20 games, (starting seven) in 2003. He ultimately transferred to
Kansas State University
Kansas State University (KSU, Kansas State, or K-State) is a public land-grant research university with its main campus in Manhattan, Kansas, United States. It was opened as the state's land-grant college in 1863 and was the first public insti ...
in 2004, pitching in 16 games, (15 starts), compiling an ERA of 4.12.
Chicago White Sox
Torres was drafted in the 15th round, 449th overall, in the
2004 MLB Draft by the
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are an American professional baseball team based in Chicago. The White Sox compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) Central division. The team is owned by Jerry Reinsdorf, and ...
and signed for $1,000.
He worked his way up through the White Sox minor league system, before making his Major League debut on July 22, 2009 against the
Tampa Bay Rays
The Tampa Bay Rays are an American professional baseball team based in St. Petersburg, Florida. The Rays compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) East division. Since its inception, the team's home v ...
. Prior to his call-up Torres had posted an 8-4 record with a 2.20 ERA with the White Sox' Triple-A affiliate, the
Charlotte Knights
The Charlotte Knights are a Minor League Baseball team of the International League and the Triple-A affiliate of the Chicago White Sox. They are located in Charlotte, North Carolina, and play their home games at Truist Field, which opened in 20 ...
. Scheduled starter
John Danks
John William Danks (born April 15, 1985) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Chicago White Sox.
Personal life
Danks graduated from Round Rock High School in Texas in 2003 and wa ...
had a blister on his index finger. Torres pitched six strong innings, giving up three runs on two homers and striking out three to record a
quality start
In baseball, a quality start is a statistic for a starting pitcher defined as a game in which the pitcher completes at least six innings and permits no more than three earned runs. The quality start has effectively replaced the 'complete game' as ...
. On September 3, Torres picked up his first major league victory by defeating
Ryan Dempster
Ryan Scott Dempster (born May 3, 1977), is a Canadian former professional baseball pitcher, who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Florida Marlins, Cincinnati Reds, Chicago Cubs, Texas Rangers, and Boston Red Sox. Dempster batted and t ...
and the
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are an American professional baseball team based in Chicago. The Cubs compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as part of the National League (NL) Central division. The club plays its home games at Wrigley Field, which is locate ...
5-0 in a make-up game at
Wrigley Field
Wrigley Field is a Major League Baseball (MLB) stadium on the North Side of Chicago, Illinois. It is the home of the Chicago Cubs, one of the city's two MLB franchises. It first opened in 1914 as Weeghman Park for Charles Weeghman's Chicago W ...
.
Yomiuri Giants
The
Yomiuri Giants
The are a Japanese professional baseball team competing in Nippon Professional Baseball's Central League. Based in Bunkyo, Tokyo, they are one of two professional baseball teams based in Tokyo, the other being the Tokyo Yakult Swallows. They ...
signed Torres to a contract on November 16, 2010.
At the beginning of the season, Torres was expected to compete for a place in the starting rotation. He earned his first
Nippon Professional Baseball
or NPB is the highest level of baseball in Japan. Locally, it is often called , meaning ''Professional Baseball''.
Outside Japan, it is often just referred to as "Japanese baseball". The roots of the league can be traced back to the formatio ...
win on July 28, 2011 against the
Yokohama BayStars
The are a professional baseball team in the Japanese Central League. Their home field is Yokohama Stadium, located in central Yokohama. The team has been known by several names since becoming a professional team in 1950. It adopted its curren ...
.
Colorado Rockies
On December 20, 2011, Torres signed a minor league deal with the
Colorado Rockies
The Colorado Rockies are an American professional baseball team based in Denver. The Rockies compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) West division. The team plays its home baseball games at Coors Fi ...
. On August 12, 2012, Torres got his first career base hit, an RBI single off
George Kontos
George Nicholas Kontos (born June 12, 1985) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the New York Yankees, San Francisco Giants, Pittsburgh Pirates, and Cleveland Indians. Prior to playing ...
of the
San Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants are an American professional baseball team based in San Francisco, California. The Giants compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) West division. Founded in 1883 as the New Y ...
.
New York Mets

Torres signed with the
New York Mets
The New York Mets are an American professional baseball team based in the New York City borough of Queens. The Mets compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member of the National League (NL) East division. They are one of two major leagu ...
on November 20, 2012. In 33 games for the team, Torres compiled 86.1 IP, 4-6, 3.44 ERA, 75 K's, and 1.12 WHIP. During the 2014 season, Torres appeared in a career-high 73 games, while compiling a record of 8-6, 3.06 ERA, 96 K's and 1.31 WHIP in 97.0 IP.
For the 2015 season, Torres appeared in 59 games, while compiling a record of 5-6, 4.68 ERA, 48 K's and 1.37 WHIP in 57.2 IP.
On January 22, 2016, Torres was designated for assignment by the Mets. On January 30, the Mets placed Torres on waivers. Torres cleared waivers on the next day and elected free agency.
Atlanta Braves
The
Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are an American professional baseball team based in the Atlanta metropolitan area. The Braves compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) East division. The Braves were founded in B ...
signed Torres to a minor league contract on February 10, 2016. He was released on March 31, 2016.
Milwaukee Brewers
On April 2, 2016, Torres signed a one-year major league deal with the
Milwaukee Brewers
The Milwaukee Brewers are an American professional baseball team based in Milwaukee. They compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) Central division. The Brewers are named for the city's association wi ...
. He was outrighted to AAA and elected free agency on November 2, 2017.
Cleveland Indians
Torres signed a minor league contract with the
Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Guardians are an American professional baseball team based in Cleveland. The Guardians compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) Central division. Since , they have played at Progressive ...
on February 22, 2018. The deal included an invitation to the Indians' major league spring training camp. Torres was released by the Indians on March 24, 2018.
Washington Nationals
On March 28, 2018, Torres signed a minor league deal with the
Washington Nationals
The Washington Nationals are an American professional baseball team based in Washington, D.C.. They compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member of the National League (NL) East division. From 2005 to 2007, the team played in RFK Stadi ...
, who assigned him to the
Syracuse Chiefs
Syracuse may refer to:
Places Italy
*Syracuse, Sicily, or spelled as ''Siracusa''
*Province of Syracuse
United States
* Syracuse, New York
** East Syracuse, New York
** North Syracuse, New York
* Syracuse, Indiana
*Syracuse, Kansas
*Syracuse, M ...
in the Class AAA
International League
The International League (IL) is a Minor League Baseball league that operates in the United States. Along with the Pacific Coast League, it is one of two leagues playing at the Triple-A level, which is one grade below Major League Baseball ( ...
.
[MiLB.com Carlos Torres Retrieved May 24, 2018]
/ref> He appeared in four games for the Chiefs, pitching five scoreless innings.[ On April 20, 2018, the Nationals selected his contract from Syracuse and placed him on their 25-man roster. He appeared in 10 games for the Nationals, pitching to a 6.52 ERA over 9 innings.][ The Nationals designated him for assignment on May 23, 2018. He declared free agency on October 2, 2018.
]
San Diego Padres
On January 17, 2019, Torres signed a minor league deal with the San Diego Padres
The San Diego Padres are an American professional baseball team based in San Diego. The Padres compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) West division. Founded in 1969, the club has won two NL penna ...
that included an invitation to spring training
Spring training is the preseason in Major League Baseball (MLB), a series of practices and exhibition games preceding the start of the regular season. Spring training allows new players to try out for roster and position spots, and gives estab ...
. On May 15, 2019, he opted out of his contract and became a free agent.
Detroit Tigers
On May 26, 2019, Torres signed a minor league contract with the Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are an American professional baseball team based in Detroit. The Tigers compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member of the American League (AL) Central division. One of the AL's eight charter franchises, the club was f ...
. On June 8, 2019, Torres was recalled by the Tigers. He was designated for assignment on June 22 after recording a 7.50 ERA in four appearances. Torres later elected free agency on June 24.
Minnesota Twins
On June 25, 2019, Torres signed a minor league deal with the Minnesota Twins
The Minnesota Twins are an American professional baseball team based in Minneapolis. The Twins compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) Central Division. The team is named after the Twin Cities area ...
. On July 24, the Twins selected Torres' contract. On July 28, Torres was designated for assignment.
San Francisco Giants
On August 5, 2019, Torres signed a minor league deal with the Giants. On August 28, Torres was released.
Toros de Tijuana
On February 26, 2020, Torres signed with the Toros de Tijuana
The Toros de Tijuana (or Tijuana Bulls) are a Mexican Baseball team based in Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico. They are members of the Mexican Baseball League and play their home games at Estadio Chevron.
Team history
Original Attempt
The fra ...
of the Mexican League
The Mexican League (, ) is a professional baseball league based in Mexico and the oldest running professional league in the country.
The league has 18 teams organized in two divisions, North and South. Teams play 114 games each season. Five te ...
. In 2020, he did not play a game because of the cancellation of the Mexican League season due to the COVID-19 pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic, also known as the coronavirus pandemic, is an ongoing global pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The novel virus was first identified ...
.
After the 2020 season, he played for Tomateros de Culiacán
The Tomateros de Culiacán ( en, Culiacán Tomato Growers) are a professional baseball team in the Mexican Pacific League based in Culiacán, Sinaloa. The ''Tomateros'' have won thirteen league titles and two Caribbean World Series in and . The ...
of the Mexican Pacific League
The Mexican Pacific League (), known as Liga ARCO Mexicana del Pacífico for sponsorship reasons or simply LMP for its acronym in Spanish, is a professional baseball winter league based in Northern Mexico. The ten-team regular season schedule run ...
(LVMP). He also played for Mexico in the 2021 Caribbean Series
The 2021 Caribbean Series (Serie del Caribe) was the 63rd edition of the international competition featuring the champions of the Colombian Professional Baseball League, Dominican Professional Baseball League, Mexican Pacific League, Panaman ...
.
On December 9, 2022, Torres retired from professional baseball.
References
External links
{{DEFAULTSORT:Torres, Carlos
1982 births
Living people
American baseball players of Mexican descent
American expatriate baseball players in Japan
Baseball players from California
Birmingham Barons players
Bristol White Sox players
Charlotte Knights players
Chicago White Sox players
Colorado Rockies players
Colorado Springs Sky Sox players
Detroit Tigers players
El Paso Chihuahuas players
Great Falls White Sox players
Kannapolis Intimidators players
Kansas State Wildcats baseball players
Las Vegas 51s players
Major League Baseball pitchers
Milwaukee Brewers players
National baseball team players
New York Mets players
Peoria Saguaros players
Rochester Red Wings players
Sacramento River Cats players
San Jose State Spartans baseball players
Sportspeople from Santa Cruz, California
Syracuse Chiefs players
Toledo Mud Hens players
Toros de Tijuana players
Washington Nationals players
Winston-Salem Warthogs players
Yomiuri Giants players
2017 World Baseball Classic players