ATLANTA — Detroit Tigers second baseman Gleyber Torres knew he would start the 2025 MLB All-Star Game, thanks to the fan voting process, but he never expected to serve as the leadoff hitter for the American League.
The 28-year-old — a three-time All-Star in his eighth MLB season — became the first Tigers player to bat first for the AL in the All-Star Game since Lou Whitaker in 1984.
“It’s really special,” Torres said Tuesday, July 15, after exiting the All-Star Game at Truist Park. “Of all the stars, I started the game. I feel blessed.”
AL manager Aaron Boone — who manages the New York Yankees — informed Torres that he would be the leadoff hitter in the 95th Midsummer Classic. Torres played for the Yankees from 2018-24 (with all seven seasons under Boone) before joining the Tigers in 2025 on a one-year, $15 million contract.
“I was surprised when he told me,” Torres said, “but I was really happy.”
Why surprised?
“We have really good stars, like (Jacob) Wilson is a really good hitter,” Torres said, referencing the Athletics’ rookie shortstop hitting .332 over 87 games. “He’s almost behind (Aaron) Judge, and he has really good contact. I was happy.”
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For batting average, the AL is led by Judge of the Yankees at .355 in 96 games, followed by Wilson and then Tampa Bay Rays first baseman Jonathan Aranda at .324 in 91 games. In the All-Star Game, Judge batted third, Wilson batted ninth and Aranda came off the bench.
Still, Boone called on Torres at the top of the batting order.
In the All-Star Game, Torres finished 0-for-2 with one strikeout. He struck out swinging against Pittsburgh Pirates right-hander Paul Skenes in the first inning and grounded out against San Francisco Giants right-hander Logan Webb in the third inning.
“It’s been special,” Torres said. “It’s an honor. I really enjoyed tonight. I’m excited for the second half. We have to keep working. It’s going to be special for us.”
In 2025, Torres has been the Tigers’ leadoff hitter in 14 of 84 games — 16.7% of the time. Over his eight-year career, he has batted first in 112 of 972 games for 11.5% of his appearances, including 56 times (in 154 games, 36.4%) with the Yankees in 2024.
“He’s had an outstanding year for what’s been the best record in the American League so far,” Boone said Monday, July 14, one day before the Midsummer Classic. “He’s been a tone-setter for them at the top, getting on base at an amazing clip.”
Torres has been an on-base machine this season.
He is hitting .281 with nine home runs, 51 walks and 46 strikeouts in 84 games. His career-best .387 on-base percentage ranks fourth among AL players, trailing only Judge (.462), Aranda (.399) and Seattle Mariners shortstop J.P. Crawford (.391).
The Tigers also had the second hitter in the AL lineup, with Riley Greene following Torres. It marked the first time the Tigers had the first two hitters in the All-Star Game since 1966, when Dick McAuliffe and Al Kaline led the way.
It continues to be a historic season for the Tigers.
“Whatever we were doing in the first half, we have to do it a little bit better with more consistency,” Torres said. “The second half is really important for the team. The communication is there. Everybody is on the same page. A.J. (Hinch, the Tigers’ manager) is doing an amazing job. We have to keep playing and keep believing in ourselves — and just try to win the most games possible.”
Contact Evan Petzold at [email protected] or follow him @EvanPetzold.
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