New Rockland Boulders Bench Coach Chris Torres Excited For Opportunity

Former Boulders players Chris Torres (right) was named the teams new bench coach. (Rockland Boulders)

Recently, the Rockland Boulders announced the hiring of Chris Torres as their new bench coach. This past week I had the opportunity to talk to Torres about joining the Rockland coaching staff.

“It’s good to get back into the Can-Am League since I played for a quite a few years and also the Atlantic League,” said Chris Torres. “To get back into professional baseball and with Jamie (Keefe) who I have played with before, know personally as a friend and is like a dad to me. Jamie’s résumé speaks for itself being a high round draft pick and wins he has achieved as a coach in the Can-Am League.”

Torres played for Keefe when he was managing the Pittsfield Colonials back in 2010 and 2011. In addition, Torres won a Can-Am League championship with the Nashua Pride in 2007 and played with new Boulders pitching coach Carlos Mirabal in the Atlantic League.

“Bringing that togetherness and family atmosphere will contribute to wins and a championship,” said Torres. “You got Carlos, who I can sit on the bench and pick his mind about pitching. He enjoyed success in Japan, Atlantic League and professional baseball.”

Torres credits his late father Victor for teaching him the game and helping out with scholarships and getting drafted. “He passed up a job opportunity to stay with us, moved on to the Giants and Can-Am League,” said Torres.

Torres’s brother was a 14^th round draft pick and owns a baseball school. “I work for an indoor facility with kids and my dad taught a baseball camp with 200 or 300 kids. He went into the inner cities and taught under privileged kids,” added Torres.

Twice Torres was selected in the MLB Amateur Draft. The Pittsburgh Pirates selected him in the 2001 draft and then in 2005 Detroit Tigers called his name. “I was a senior in college when I was drafted by the Pirates,” he said. “They offered me a pretty significant amount of money to go there but talking with my family and advisor David Mosely who I believe still writes for Baseball America I decided to go back to college (Cumberland University, Belmont, Tennessee).”

That moved paid off as Torres won a NAIA National Championship in 2004. “Unfortunately the Pirates went through a change in their organization and new scouts were hired,” he said. “The 2^nd time I was drafted by the Tigers I thanked my lucky stars and got the opportunity to play with some good players.”

Torres says the best baseball he has played was in the independent leagues. “It’s more of a family and collegiate feeling.” he explained. “Guys play to win a championship and you build friendships because baseball is a small world. In the minor leagues you play to take a guy’s job and get to the major leagues which is every guy’s dream.”

In the end, Torres’ ultimate goal is to bring another championship to Rockland. “I want one of those rings and I am excited for my family to come up here. A new chapter with some emotional feelings after losing my father. I’m not sure how I will react, I could shed a tear.”