durable lefty with strikeout juice, now a pro after anchoring USC Upstate’s rotation
In the 2026 season, Chris Torres was USC Upstate’s rotation headliner, going 5-4 with a 5.28 ERA and 71 strikeouts in 76 2/3 innings, then got drafted by the Seattle Mariners in the 16th round.[6][9] His calling card is swing-and-miss stuff and workload durability: over two seasons with the Spartans, he logged 158 innings, 149 strikeouts, and 13 wins, and he was praised for delivering quality starts, including a seven-inning, three-hit gem with six strikeouts and no walks in May 2026.[2][4] He looks like a fit for teams that want a competitive lefty who can take the ball, miss bats, and handle big-game pressure, even if the ERA comes with some volatility.[2][12]
