Bryan Torres Hits Home Run in Cardinals Debut at Age 28

Bryan Torres hit a home run in his major league debut for the St. Louis Cardinals on Saturday, capping a 11 year journey through the minor and independent leagues before finally reaching the big leagues at age 28.

Torres helped the Cardinals defeat the Cincinnati Reds 8 1 in the first game of a day night doubleheader at Great American Ball Park. He reached base three times, working a full count walk in the second inning, singling in the fourth, and connecting on a 95 mph fastball in the ninth for a two run home run to right center field. He became the third Cardinals player since 1900 to record multiple hits including a home run in his debut, and the first to do so since 1957.

Torres first began playing minor league baseball in 2015 after signing with the Milwaukee organization. He was claimed off waivers by San Francisco in 2019, became a free agent after the 2021 season, and spent two years playing for the independent Milwaukee Milkmen of the American Association. He said he considered retiring during that period but decided to give himself one more chance.

He signed a minor league contract with the Cardinals in September 2023 and was added to the 40 man roster last November....