ProfileHt.: 5'11" / Wt.: 210 / Bats: R / Throws: R
School
Virginia Tech
Debut08/01/2009
Drafted in the 24th round (707th overall) by the Cleveland Guardians in 2004.
View Draft Report
C Wyatt Toregas had a chance to go in the fourth or fifth round but may slip because he struggled with the bat this spring. He batted .280-4-39 after hitting .319-10-60 last year. He's a solid defensive catcher with a sturdy, compact frame and solid catch-and-throw skills. Toregas has soft, sure hands, polished receiving skills and above-average arm strength. At the plate he has an upright stance and line-drive stroke with gap power. He needs work at the plate because he has a slow trigger and is late getting his barrel out at times, and he opens up his front side and pulls off the ball.
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
A versatile performer at Virginia Tech who played infield and outfield as well as catcher, Toregas has emerged as a prospect since switching positions and becoming a full-time catcher. The Indians added him to their 40-man roster in November. He became the complete package behind the plate in 2006 and took another step forward last year, continuing to hone his game-calling skills and maintain some offensive upside. A contact hitter with good plate discipline, Toregas hits line drives to all fields, showing surprising power as well. He reads pitches well and can turn on inside fastballs, though he can get too pull-happy at times. Toregas' gregarious demeanor can sometimes rub pitchers the wrong way, but he's a natural leader who handles a staff well. Toregas has the best catch-and-throw skills in the system, and threw out 51 percent of basestealers last year, tops in the Eastern League. He possesses well-above-average arm strength, posting 1.85 pop times consistently. Though the organization is split on how much upside Toregas has, he's at least a solid backup in the majors. He'll likely spend all of 2008 in Triple-A.
Toregas was one of the system's most improved players last year, vaulting himself from an afterthought to the top of the catcher depth chart when Kelly Shoppach was promoted to the big leagues in June. Toregas had a solid pro debut with the bat in 2004, then took a step backward offensively in 2005 as he honed his game-calling and receiving skills. He was the complete package in 2006, hitting for average and power with tremendous improvement defensively, and the Indians now believe that he has a higher ceiling than Shoppach. Toregas has a line-drive stroke and uses the whole field effectively, showing good oppositefield pop. He can become pull-oriented and his swing can get too long at times. His speed is well below-average. Toregas has solid catch-and-throw skills. With a strong, accurate arm and a quick release, he posts consistent 1.85 pop times to second base. He led the Carolina League by throwing out 48 percent of basestealers last year and erased 38 percent after his promotion to Double-A. Toregas' bat cooled off after he got to Akron, so while he'll get a long look in big league camp, he'll probably open 2007 in the minors.
Best Tools List
Rated Best Defensive Catcher in the Cleveland Guardians in 2009
Rated Best Defensive Catcher in the Cleveland Guardians in 2008
Rated Best Defensive Catcher in the Eastern League in 2007
Rated Best Defensive Catcher in the Cleveland Guardians in 2007
Rated Best Defensive Catcher in the Carolina League in 2006
Career Transactions
Pittsburgh Pirates signed free agent Wyatt Toregas.
C Wyatt Toregas elected free agency.
C Wyatt Toregas assigned to Indianapolis Indians from Altoona Curve.
Altoona Curve signed free agent C Wyatt Toregas.
C Wyatt Toregas elected free agency.
Indianapolis Indians activated C Wyatt Toregas from the 7-day disabled list.
Indianapolis Indians placed C Wyatt Toregas on the 7-day disabled list.
C Wyatt Toregas assigned to Indianapolis Indians from Altoona Curve.
Wyatt Toregas assigned to Altoona Curve from Indianapolis Indians.
Wyatt Toregas roster status changed by Indianapolis Indians.
Indianapolis Indians placed C Wyatt Toregas on the 7-day disabled list.
Wyatt Toregas assigned to Indianapolis Indians.
Pittsburgh Pirates sent C Wyatt Toregas outright to Indianapolis Indians.
Pittsburgh Pirates designated Wyatt Toregas for assignment.
Pittsburgh Pirates selected the contract of C Wyatt Toregas from Indianapolis Indians.
Wyatt Toregas roster status changed by Indianapolis Indians.
Indianapolis Indians placed C Wyatt Toregas on the 7-day disabled list retroactive to May 5, 2011.
C Wyatt Toregas assigned to Indianapolis Indians from State College Spikes.
Wyatt Toregas assigned to State College Spikes from Indianapolis Indians.
Wyatt Toregas assigned to Indianapolis Indians from Pittsburgh Pirates.
Pittsburgh Pirates signed free agent C Wyatt Toregas to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training.
C Wyatt Toregas elected free agency.
Columbus Clippers activated C Wyatt Toregas from the 7-day disabled list.
Columbus Clippers placed C Wyatt Toregas on the 7-day disabled list.
C Wyatt Toregas assigned to Columbus Clippers from Mahoning Valley Scrappers.
Wyatt Toregas assigned to Mahoning Valley Scrappers from Akron Aeros.
Wyatt Toregas assigned to Akron Aeros from Cleveland Indians.
Cleveland Indians designated C Wyatt Toregas for assignment.
Cleveland Indians optioned Wyatt Toregas to Columbus Clippers.
Cleveland Indians recalled Wyatt Toregas from Columbus Clippers.
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