#Yankees mailbag: Shortstop won’t be too big for Gleyber Torres

What was [Gleyber] Torres’ fielding percentage as a shortstop in the minors? He doesn’t look to be half of what Didi Gregorius was as a Yankee. I think it’s going to affect his bat because he doesn’t look comfortable at short at all. — Tom

Nobody should confuse Torres with Gregorius in the field, even if Torres’ original position in pro ball was short.

From the day Gregorius took over for Derek Jeter, his play at short was easy to watch. Very good range, smooth hands and an accurate arm. Torres doesn’t have Gregorius’ range or hands, and his awkward footwork at times negates an above-average arm. Torres’ five errors in 10 spring training games led to questions as to why the Yankees let Gregorius leave for Philadelphia via free agency.

Through six levels — including two in the big leagues — at short, the 23-year-old Torres has a .950 fielding percentage. In two big league seasons (98 games) at the position he has a .954 percentage.

However, due to the Yankees using infield shifts, Torres’ range isn’t a negative, because a lot of times there will be three fielders on the same side of the infield.

Now for the trade-off: Moving Torres to short provides the Yankees with a legitimate right-handed bat with power in a premium position. It also allows DJ LeMahieu to play second base, which is his best position and where he won three Gold Gloves with the Rockies.

Even if Torres struggles in the field, I don’t believe it will hurt his bat, because he is on the verge of becoming one of the best hitters in the game.

Submit your Yankees questions to be answered in an upcoming mailbag

I know rosters will eventually shrink back down to 26, but for time being, who gets final bench spot on the 30-man roster? [Mike] Ford? [Clint] Frazier? [Rosell] Herrera? — Bryant Cleary

That depends on what Aaron Boone and pitching coach Matt Blake settle on regarding how many pitchers they will take for the first two weeks. As of this past Thursday, Blake said that decision hadn’t been made.

Out of your trio of names, I would say Frazier is the favorite if the Yankees take 14 position players. Should the Yankees take 13 position players, Tyler Wade would get the nod over Frazier due to Wade being more versatile. Ford plays only first base, and if Giancarlo Stanton is healthy, he will eat up the DH at-bats. Outfielder Herrera isn’t on the 40-man roster, which hurts his chances.

Who are we more likely to see in the rotation this year? [Deivi] Garcia or [Clarke] Schmidt? — Ryan/“Scoop’’

During February and March, most scouts who watched Garcia and Schmidt pitch in exhibition games believed the 24-year-old Schmidt was ahead of the 21-year-old Garcia in terms of being ready to help the Yankees at the big league level this year. They didn’t say Garcia wouldn’t reach the big leagues, but believed Schmidt was closer.

However, should the Yankees need rotation reinforcements, there are several options in front of the right-handers. Mike King, Jonathan Loaisiga and Luis Cessa would likely be used as a starter ahead of Garcia and Schmidt. And the Yankees could use Chad Green as an opener.

Is Jordan Montgomery still the consensus fifth starter? — Noah Broderick

That was the plan when the coronavirus halted spring training on March 12 and nothing has changed. In four spring training outings (one start), the 27-year-old lefty worked 11 innings, struck out 16, walked one and gave up seven hits (four homers).

With James Paxton, Masahiro Tanaka and J.A. Happ eligible to be free agents whether the season is played or not, Montgomery figures to be more than a No. 5 starter in the future.