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Commentary: Torreyes a 'catalyst' for Dragons

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By B.J. Bethel, Staff Writer 9:47 PM Sunday, December 25, 2011

Calling former Dayton Dragon Ronald Torreyes pint-sized may infuriate pints world wide.

As Dayton Daily News Dragons beat writer Sean McClelland would say, Torreyes was 5-foot-9 on a tall day. He made Dustin Pedroia look like Dirk Nowitzki. He made most bat boys look like linebackers. As far as prototypical baseball players go, Torreyes didn’t have the look.

But he could hit.

And hit he did for the Dragons, who watched their offense begin to click last summer when Torreyes was made a part of Dayton’s lineup.

Torreyes batted No. 2 behind highly touted prospect Billy Hamilton.

Suddenly Hamilton found his bat, and opposing Midwest League teams found themselves in trouble with the top of the Dragons lineup. So much speed and pop threw opponents off their games. Torreyes batted .356 through 67 games, drove in 41 RBIs and stole 12 bases.

The Dragons had pitching the whole year, but manager Delino DeShields said the team finally came together for a playoff run for one reason summed up in three words: “Offense, offense, offense.”

That offense began performing when Torreyes arrived.

Watching Hamilton and Torreyes progress together would have been fun for Reds and Dragons fans, but it wasn’t meant to be. Torreyes was the final piece of a trade with the Chicago Cubs for reliever Sean Marshall last week.

Torreyes was not a major part of the deal, but you have to wonder if the Cubs and baseball operations president Theo Epstein picked the Reds’ pocket.

They certainly picked a big hitter, even if he is small in stature.

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2250 or bjbethel@DaytonDailyNews.com.

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