Hudson Valley Teen Signs MLB Contract

A Hudson Valley teen is officially ready to begin his professional baseball career.

On June 4, the Cleveland Indians selected 17-year-old Lineras “Lenny” Torres from Beacon High School with the 41st pick in the 2018 MLB draft. Torres throws a mid- to upper 90s fastball and scouts say he has a fantastic slider. Torres was considered one of the two best pitchers from New York.

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The right-handed pitcher is 6'2" 185 pounds. He posted a 0.68 era with 85 strikeouts in 41 innings for Beacon High School this past spring.

At the time of the selection, it was unclear if Torres would sign with Cleveland because he committed to play at St. John's University.

However, on Tuesday, Torres opted to forgo college and begin his professional baseball career. The slot value for the 41st pick in the 2018 MLB draft was $1,744,800. Cleveland signed Torres for $1.35 million, below the value assigned for the pick, MLB.com reports.

"[He's] an impressive kid," Indians director of amateur scouting Scott Barnsby told MLB.com. "We saw him several times last summer. ... Lenny's been up to 96 [mph]. It's a really quick arm. His slider has really progressed. We feel like he's got a chance to have a solid average-to-plus slider. A developing feel for the changeup. Throws strikes. Looking to develop him as a starter."