Chris Torres, a West Springfield native, has been selected by the Seattle Mariners after a standout college career that has captured the attention of baseball scouts across the country.
A Milestone for Western Massachusetts Baseball
The right‑hander honed his craft at West Springfield High School before excelling at the University of South Carolina Upstate, where he helped the team capture back‑to‑back conference tournament titles and secure consecutive NCAA regional berths.
The Mariners drafted Torres in the 15th round of the 2024 MLB amateur draft, marking the first time a player from Western Massachusetts has turned professional in baseball since Nick Dombkowski in 2021.
Now stationed in Arizona, Torres works alongside the Mariners' player development staff, focusing on refining his pitching arsenal as he prepares for the next step in his career.
His ultimate goal is to take the mound at T‑Mobile Park and perform in front of a crowd of roughly 48,000 fans, a prospect that underscores the excitement surrounding his debut.
The journey from the modest fields of West Springfield to the bright lights of Seattle reflects not only Torres's personal dedication but also the growing pipeline of talent emerging from the region.
Fans and community leaders alike are watching his progress, hopeful that his success will inspire the next generation of young athletes in Western Massachusetts.