The Keepers - #58 - RP - Jose De La Torre

58. Jose De La Torre – RP – A+/AA – 25/yrs old

De La Torre signed out of high school with Milwaukee, in 2004, but was released after extended camp. He then played two years in college and then signed as a free agent with the Mets.

He has a 4-seam 90-91 fastball, 2-seam FB, changerup, and his go-to pitch is a nasty slider.

He has played three seasons for the Mets, sitting out the entire 2008 season due to injuries (TJS)

This past year, Jose pitched well for both St. Lucie (3-3, 2.77, 26-G, 3-SV, 35-K, 39.0-IP) and Binghamton (3-2, 2.67, 18-G, 2-SV, 37-K, 30.1-IP.

His combined three year minor league stats are impressive for a non-drafted pitcher: 12-15, 3.21, 95-G, 168-K in 168.0-IP.

From: http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/mets/2009/08/farm-report-de-la-torre-impres.html#ixzz0Tka57DOI - Jose De La Torre (right) missed last season after undergoing Tommy John elbow surgery in October 2007. The righthander is making up for lost time this season, first by compiling a 3-3 record, 2.77 ERA and three saves in 26 relief appearances for St. Lucie, then with Double-A Binghamton, where he’s 2-1 with a 1.89 ERA and .186 opponent batting average in 10 appearances. De La Torre, 23, returned from surgery in time to pitch with Caguas in the Puerto Rico Winter League last offseason, after completing his rehab in November. Omir Santos served as his catcher with the team. “He’s got a nasty slider,” Santos said. “He had surgery, and he was throwing good. His fastball, it wasn’t there yet, but it was coming around.” Santos also had caught De La Torre pre-surgery with the same team. “He almost got Rookie of the Year in winter ball,” Santos recalled. “He was working on the changeup this winter. He’s got good stuff. He threw the ball good. He’s not afraid of anybody. He just goes after people.”

Forecast:

Normally, a 25-yard old pitcher in 2010 at the AA level would toss him into the AAAA bin, but not relief pitchers. De La Torre had done little wrong in the Mets system, and has actually come back stronger after TJS surgery. He had no formble with the AA prospect-rich lineups in 2009. He should start off in Buffalo in the spring, but there is a chance they’ll hold him back in Binghamton. Either way, he looks to make a run at a Mets bullpen slot in 2011.