Astros’ Abraham Toro: Son and legend of Canada

Revue de presse

Chandler Rome, Houston Chronicle, 19 février 2020

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Abraham Toro makes his offseason home in Montreal, where he says baseball enthusiasts are few and far between. One iconic moment last season seems to have shifted the attention.

This winter, Toro traveled throughout the city unable to escape telling the one story of his homecoming.

“Obviously a lot of people talked about that game in Toronto,” Toro said with a grin. “A lot of people talked about (Justin) Verlander.”

“There’s not a lot of baseball players there, so it’s kind of nice that they support that.”

Toro’s two-run home run during the ninth inning of Verlander’s no-hitter at Rogers Centre capped a somewhat unforeseen ascent up the Astros’ minor league system. That he did it in a game in his home country — when he wasn’t even supposed to start — was a fitting conclusion to a crazy season. Verlander's expletive-laden jubilation after the game inspired t-shirts.

After starting 2019 in Class AA Corpus Christi, Toro appeared in 25 major league games, affording a sorely-needed switch-hitting presence and defensive versatility the team craves. His offensive output was unspectacular, but his adequate defense at three positions aligned with former manager A.J. Hinch’s want for adaptability.

Toro’s Toronto home run was one of two he struck in the major leagues. He finished with a .688 OPS and became too pull-happy with his swing. Toro dedicated his offseason to spraying the baseball to all fields. He spent time honing his skills at two infield positions — third base and second base — while cognizant he can always shift to first.

This spring, Toro’s conducted interviews in French, Spanish and English. A reporter from Montreal has been in camp for a few days to exclusively cover him. When his time came to take part in promotional video shoots that air on the jumbotron at Minute Maid Park, Toro read off a French script.

Verlander gifted the rookie a watch following the no-hitter. Toro didn't bring it to camp, instead keeping it in a safe place in Montreal, where his legend only continues to grow.

Revue de presse publiée par Jacques Lanciault

Photo ci-dessue : Houston Astros starting pitcher Justin Verlander (35) fist bumps Houston Astros third baseman Abraham Toro (13) after he got the last out in the seventh inning at Minute Maid Park in Houston on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019. (Photo: Elizabeth Conley/Staff photographer)