Abraham Toro helps guide young A’s
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Lorenzo Delgado, Contributor
- May 15, 2024
Abraham Toro is off to hot May
HOUSTON – Spanish? French? English? Athletics’ infielder Abraham Toro spoke all three of those languages growing up in Canada. Toro’s parents, Yamila Hernandez and Douglas Toro Sr. migrated from Caracas, Venezuela, to Montreal. Both parents wanted to start a new beginning for their family.
Yamila Hernandez, a single mother, would take care of children at a local daycare when Toro was young. After her day job, she’d return home to cook for her family. Afterward, Yamila checked with parents around her neighborhood to see if they needed a babysitter to take care of their kids for the night.
Abraham Toro learned early about his mother’s sacrifices during his childhood.
Abraham Toro appreciates mom’s sacrifices
“She worked a lot,” Abraham Toro said. “She couldn’t go to a lot of games because she was working. So, I always had to go with a friend or teammates to games. She did all that to provide for me and my family.”
Toro was highly active in sports as a child, but baseball was his calling. The 6-foot utility man came from a family who identified baseball as the top sport in the country. Abraham Toro’s older brother, Douglas Jr. set the bar high for Abraham.
Douglas Jr. played Division II collegiate baseball for Lynn University. Douglas Jr. played different positions in the infield and outfield for the Fighting Knights. Abraham wanted to follow his Douglas’ footsteps and eventually even surpass his brother. He aspired to perform like four-time All-Star catcher Russell Martin.
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“Professional level, I like Russell Martin,” Abraham Toro said. “He was a guy from Montreal and was in the big leagues when I was young. So that was kind of a guy I liked.”
Abraham Toro popped out of the visitors dugout to prepare for a four-game series against the Houston Astros. Fans were yelling “Toro! Toro, can you sign my ball!” as he headed to the outfield to stretch.
Part of history
Toro may not be a fan favorite, but Astros fans remember him hitting a go-ahead home run, and securing the last out of Justin Verlander’s third career no-hitter as a rookie in 2019.
Toro was drafted by the Astros in the fifth round of the 2016 MLB Draft. Three years later, he made his major league debut in Houston. The Astros sent Toro and right-handed reliever Joe Smith to the Mariners at the 2021 trade deadline for relievers Rafael Montero and Kendall Graveman.
Toro was then traded by the Mariners to the Brewers in 2023. He has now landed with the Athletics.
The Longueuil, Quebec, Canada, native was traded to four different organizations in the past four years. Being traded, especially multiple times can affect players mentally. However, Toro accepts the mental rollercoaster he’s riding.
“It’s a lot of ups and downs. Mentally it’s a grind rollercoaster,” he said. “You try to ride the wave as much as possible and embrace the bad moments because it’s a part of failure and understand it’s a part of it. Mentally you just gotta be stronger and go through it.”
The 27-year-old Toro has provided an offensive spark to a young ball club.
The Seminole State Junior College alum has reached base safely 17 of his last 18 games. Moreover, Toro has hit safely in 14 of his last 16 games and is 24-for-62 (.387 batting average) with six doubles, two home runs, eight RBIs and nine multiple hit games over that span.
Strong May for Toro
“In spring training we talked about his bat,” Athletics manager Mark Kotsay said of Toro. “The success he’s had here in Houston and Seattle, we like the bat. Obviously, he’s performing at his highest level. He’s been a great addition and a big help for this ballclub.”
Toro is in his sixth season in the majors. He’s the A’s only player who possesses postseason experience. The 223-pound veteran commends his experience as a part of his early offensive success.
“I think mechanically it’s all the same, but I would say more mentally,” Toro says on his hot start. “Approach wise has been a little better, and understanding the league what they’re trying to do. Again, it’s just one bat at a time. It doesn’t matter what you did last at bat. Just try to be in the moment.”
Toro continues to live in the moment. Though, more importantly, he guides a young A’s team in a competitive American League West division.
Lorenzo Delgado
Contributor
Lorenzo Delgado graduated with his bachelor’s degree from Texas A&M University and is currently attending the University of Houston to earn his master’s degree. Lorenzo was formerly a contributing baseball writer for Call to the Pen on the Fansided Network. He is the host of an Astros baseball podcast called Full Seam Ahead, which is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts and wherever podcasts are found.
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