This story was excerpted from Bryan Hoch’s Yankees Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

Gleyber Torres has already surpassed his home run total from each of the past two seasons. While the Yankees’ coaching staff would point to mechanical adjustments and improved conditioning for the power surge, Father’s Day is approaching and there’s one explanation we shouldn’t rule out: good, old-fashioned dad strength.

Torres and his wife, Elizabeth, welcomed a son, Ethan, during Spring Training this year. Leaning over a hospital crib and gazing lovingly into those bright eyes, Torres said he felt the weight of new parenthood, sensing increased responsibility to perform for his family.

“Every player has motivation; now I’ve got extra motivation,” Torres said. “Everything changed. Before the game every morning, it’s a really special moment to see the baby growing up, little by little. Every time I go to the ballpark, I know I have a little boy waiting for me.”

Torres said that he received encouragement from many of his teammates -- manager Aaron Boone offered one tip that stuck, advising Torres that Ethan would get to know him more and more, and there would be days when it is difficult to leave the house.

“I got lots of advice before he was born. Everything helped,” Torres said. “I try to go everywhere with him, but I know there will be a situation where he has to stay.”

When the Yankees are home, Torres is a full-service dad: young Ethan certainly has shown his dad’s appetite at feeding time, and Torres said that he’s not afraid to dive in for diaper changes.

Frequent FaceTime calls keep the family connected when the club is on the road, and Torres said he is already thinking about the future.

“I’ve been thinking about how I can give him a really good education,” Torres said. “I know it’s a long time from now, but I’m already thinking about that, how to do the best for him. He’s so great, and I hope he plays baseball.”