Adopted: Francisco Alvarez

[Edgy MD]

The Mets have rolled a lot of snake-eyes trying to develop a starting catcher in the first quintile of this century. You can go back to Jason Phillips and Vance Wilson, and throw in Josh Thole, Travis d'Arnaud, Kevin Plawecki, along with guys who barely saw daylight (Juan Centeno), guys who only saw a gleam or two after sailing on to other seas (Drew Butera, Francisco Peña). And then there's the guys still floating underneath (Ali Sanchez, Patrick Mazeika).



So yeah, another Francisco makes it feel even more like we've been down this road. It's hard to develop MLB starting catchers. At least part of that is something that's hard to teach. Have a guy who can show up ,and either through the charisma of Piazza or the red-ass of Grote, impress upon everybody that he's calling the shots, and he says go fuck yourself if you don't see it that way, even if he's 23 and hitting .220.



The caste system of today's game makes it hard for a young guy to just show up and step in like that. Butera and Peña, both being sons of longtime big-leaguers, would seemingly be as good as any to land like that, but neither had the offense to escape backup status even after they left the Mets.



So, having the juice to take charge among players with stature and tenure seemingly being a prerequisite of the job, the 21st Century Mets have been modestly more successful importing vets (Lo Duca, Buck, Buffalo) who can arrive as equals. Also, the ones who stick are the ones who find away to take the punishment four days in five and not let their bat fall into a black hole. No small matter even for the guys who hit in the minors. Catching's tough.



So, yeah, that's a long-winded way of saying it's really stupid to pin my hopes on young Francisco Alvarez. But he needed a home, and I found a place in my heart. He's still but a teenager, but he already has the catcherly frame (officially 5''11" and 220) that Travis d'Arnaud was never going to have. He was pushed so obscenely hard in his rookie year, skipping the DSL and going straight to stateside at only 17 with the GCL Mets, that you would have expected him to take his lumps and take them repeatedly. Instead, he fucking toyed with the league, hitting .462 / .548 / .846 / 1.395 in his first seven games, with two homers.



Look at those numbers and try not to drool. The Mets, amazingly, looked at him and said, "Fuck it, let's push him harder," and sent him to the Appy League. He took a few games to get going, but even there, as the very youngest player in the league, he pushed people around, copied their homework, stole their lunch money, and stepped on all their blue suede shoes, and simply gave not a single shit. He hit .282 / .377 / .443 / .820 with five more home runs in 35 games.



Did I mention that he was the only 17-year-old in the league? I don't think I did, but I alluded to it. Implied it.



it was a sorry situation. All the girls swooned and all the guys felt like shit because their girls all looked at them in a new light. A yellowy light. Like they were suddenly all defective giveaways and Francisco was the only prize to be had. Alvarez didn't give a shit. He didn't even take advantage of his newfound popularity with the ladies. He was too busy passing through Kingsport to even get anything started. All the guys hated him but respected him, and at the end of the day, he invited anybody who had a problem to meet him at the flagpole, and nobody would ever, ever show.



So yeah, eyes were on him. God knows how anybody's going to track minor leaguers this season, but Keith Law, Rany Jazayerli, and Casey Kasem's ghost all saw him moving toward their Hot 100s. Would the Mets have stayed aggressive and had him bypass Brooklyn to send him on to full season ball? God help me, but I think they would have. Look at him turn on this pitch:



http://metsminors.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/francisco-alvarez-e1561635732560.jpg>



Look at the catcher's glove and see how inside that pitch is, but like the David Wright worshipper I'm raising this guy to be, he keeps his hands in tight, and is quick through the zone.



And let's turn out the lights and get a little pornagraphic here. Tell me those aren't the legs of a major league catcher. Tell me that isn't the ass of a major league catcher. He's years from the big leagues and there are no big leagues any way this year, and certainly no All-Star team, but that ass is already a Major League All Star.



So get out of here with your crappy adoptees. Your relief pitchers and toolsy infielders. Yeah, they may make it to the bigs someday, but when they get there, it'll be Francisco Alvarez calling the shots.



[fimg=379]https://miro.medium.com/max/2048/1*6jnXcsSkD5jlwZMdETq7xQ.png[/fimg] [fimg=321]https://metsjunkiescom.files.wordpress.com/2019/07/img_1507.jpg[/fimg]

[fimg=350]https://miro.medium.com/max/4094/1*0VFtGq-6QamPLiBQEyyuHw.jpeg[/fimg] [fimg=350]http://metsminors.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/AGP_6886-1-e1564061058368.jpg[/fimg]

[MFS62]

He'll be battling my adoptee Andres Regnault on his way up through the system. I think he also has the stuff to make it to the bigs.

BTW, you forgot the underwhelming Doc Doyle on that list.



Later

[Johnny Lunchbucket]

He does have a nice ass.

[MFS62]

He has been added to the Mets 60 man player pool, so he could be called up this crazy season.

Later

[Edgy MD]

He could, but I think they're adding a lot of high end prospects who are still way down on the totem pole, just so they can get the supervision of the top development instructors. They added Matthew Allen, and he's only thrown 10 innings outside of high school.

[MFS62]

Edgy MD wrote: He could, but I think they're adding a lot of high end prospects who are still way down on the totem pole, just so they can get the supervision of the top development instructors. They added Matthew Allen, and he's only thrown 10 innings outside of high school.

I shuddered when he was brought up and one writer said that means they are now eligible to be traded. Nothing in the rules says that, but with Brodie, you never know about prospects.

Later

[Edgy MD]

Having missed time due to the utter absence of minor league baseball in the US in 2020, #2 Mets prospect Francisco Alvarez will try and make some of that up in Australia this winter, having signed to play for the ABL's Sydney Blue Sox.



A more surprising signing with the Blue Sox this offseason has been 48-year-old 12-time MLB All-Star Manny Ramirez.

[MFS62]

The story from the abl website:

https://theabl.com.au/news/blue-sox-secure-highly-touted-mets-prospect/https://theabl.com.au/news/blue-sox-secure-highly-touted-mets-prospect/



Later

[Edgy MD]

Alvarez has not appeared in the first two games between Sydney and Melbourne, and it looks like the third game (and more?) are going to be scrapped due to COVID-19 concerns.



Additionally, the Blue Sox have announced that Manny Ramirez will not be appearing for the team after all, due to un-named medical concerns, which are not deemed to be life-threatening and are not COVID-related.

[Edgy MD]

It seems Alvarez' season down unda is also ending before it begins. Having been unable to get home to Venezuela in 2020 due to COVID restrictions, the Mets were able to get him a visa to see his family for the holidays. Whatever wisdom such a move does or doesn't have, that keeps him ineligible to visit Australia for a long enough duration that the Blue Sox have announced he wont be playing for them after all.



Still want to follow some Met prospect action in the Southern Hemisphere? You can still follow the Blue Sox who are deploying Carlos Cortes, a secondbaseman who is about the 15th-ranked prospect; and Manny Rodriguez, a shortstop most recently in St. Loo, among others.

[ashie62]

Think of Alvarez as missing a couple of years to covid like being away for military service. Better now at 17 than say 25.

[Edgy MD]

Wait. Alvarez is "missing a couple of years to covid"?

[MFS62]

He's on the top 10 list of catching prospects.

https://sports.yahoo.com/mets-francisco-alvarez-cracks-top-142543535.htmlhttps://sports.yahoo.com/mets-francisco-alvarez-cracks-top-142543535.html



Later

[Benjamin Grimm]

I would guess he's destined for St. Lucie this year, assuming there's a minor league season?



A rough estimate of his ETA suggests the Mets may be able to start phasing him in as they start phasing James McCann out.

[MFS62]

Just saw on BMFS's thread that Keith Law named him the 19th best prospect on his top 100 list.

The lists I've seen project his ML debut in 2023.

Later

[MFS62]

He opened with a 4 for 5 at St. Lucie.

Of course, he didn't play in the second game (they played a last year draftee at catcher), but he went 1 for 4 in their third game.



Later

[Edgy MD]

Alvarez went 2-6 with a three-run homer as the designated hitter this afternoon.



This, amazingly, brought all his numbers ... down — most of them anyhow — with a slashy line that now sits at .417 / .567 / .646 // 1.213 through 63 plate appearances.

[MFS62]

SNY reporting that Alvarez is being promoted to High-A Brooklyn.



Later

[Edgy MD]

That'll put him, Baty, and Mauricio in the same lineup.

[MFS62]

Edgy MD wrote: That'll put him, Baty, and Mauricio in the same lineup.

My daughter is getting tickets for us to see Binghamton (AA) at Hartford in August.

I hope to see at least one of them promoted to that level by then. It would keep my streak going for seeing at least one future Met playing in AA ball each time I've gone to one of their games. (From Veras, Vina and Husky, through Ike Davis to Gimemez) There isn't anyone else now playing at Binghamton I'm confident I'll see in the majors.



Later

[Edgy MD]

I would guess it's massively improbable to see a AA team — even a 2-15 one — that doesn't have at least one player with a big league future of some sort ahead of him.

[MFS62]

I said one that I'm confident I'll be seeing in the Majors.

Third baseman Mark Vientos is on many Mets top 10 prospect lists, but is hovering around the Mendoza line so far this season. And he may be passed by Baty as as third base prospect very soon. To put it another way, none that I see as a sure-fire bet to make it, or adopt.

None of the position players on Binghamton have been impressive so far. But I'll give you a "yet" on this.

And there may be a pitcher or two who might make it.

Later

[MFS62]

Francisco has moved up from 39 to 21 on the most recent Baseball America top 100 prospects list.

Later

[Edgy MD]

Francisco Alvarez back in the lineup tonight. Has a walk, a run scored, and an RBI, midway through the sixth.

[MFS62]

From SNY:

Mets top prospects Francisco Alvarez and Brett Baty will be representing New York in the SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game on July 11 in Colorado, MLB announced on Wednesday. [Alvarez was raking with the St. Lucie Mets over his first 15 games of the year, owning a .417/.567/.646 slash line with two homers, five doubles and 12 RBI. He quickly moved up to High-A Brooklyn where he is hitting .267/.379/.570 with six dingers and 19 RBI over 27 games./quote] Later

MFS62 Jul 13 2021 12:25 PM Re: Adopted: Francisco Alvarez

From Jim Bowden, ranking his top 10 players he saw in the Futures Game: 8. Francisco Álvarez, C, New York Mets I had never seen Álvarez in person before, and he blew me away in batting practice with his short, compact swing and loud, sweet-spot contact. He carried it over in the game, hitting a bomb. Behind the plate, he looked solid, although I didn't see him enough to really be able to break him down defensively on the one look. Still, so far it looks like the Mets will have their long-term solution after James McCann. Later

MFS62 Jul 24 2021 06:44 AM Re: Adopted: Francisco Alvarez

Keith Law seems to agree on his midseason top 50. 8. Francisco Álvarez, C, New York Mets Álvarez's bat would play anywhere; he's showing ridiculous power for a 19-year-old, with 10 homers in 56 games and a lot of hard-hit line drives. He wrecked Low-A pitching for two weeks — Low A is not what it used to be, but still, Álvarez hit .417/.567/.646 there — and then moved up to High-A Brooklyn, where he's still taking good at-bats and showing power. The one weakness in his game right now is throwing; he has arm strength but has thrown out just 17 percent of runners this year between the two levels. As long as he stays behind the plate, he's a potential MVP. Later

MFS62 Aug 19 2021 07:52 AM Re: Adopted: Francisco Alvarez

Something to keep an eye on (from Amazing Avenue 8/18 minor league report): Of note, in that ninth, Francisco Alvarez removed himself from the game after returning the ball to Metoyer. As he was throwing the ball, he grimaced in pain and called over his coaches. He was not in agony and remained calm and collected, so whatever he felt in his throwing arm/shoulder hopefully is nothing serious Later

Edgy MD Dec 13 2021 01:00 PM Re: Adopted: Francisco Alvarez

CBS Sports is under the impression that Francisco Alvarez is Major League Baseball's seventh-best prospect. Their top prospect — Baltimore's Adley Rutschman — is also a catcher, but Alvey is three and a half years younger than Adley.

Benjamin Grimm Dec 13 2021 01:01 PM Re: Adopted: Francisco Alvarez

Do they have an ETA for him?

Edgy MD Dec 13 2021 01:09 PM Re: Adopted: Francisco Alvarez

They don't, but MRC expects him to open in Binghamton in 2022, which suggests a 2023 arrival date to be reasonable.

Edgy MD Mar 25 2022 07:39 AM Re: Adopted: Francisco Alvarez

Before last night's exhibition game against the Marlins was over, this happened. [media=youtube]gcX0cfVspWA[/media] https://twitter.com/SNYtv/status/1507165833063186432

Benjamin Grimm Mar 25 2022 08:39 AM Re: Adopted: Francisco Alvarez

James McCann has to be hearing footsteps.

smg58 Mar 25 2022 10:19 AM Re: Adopted: Francisco Alvarez

I was just going to say, if McCann doesn't bounce back with the bat we could be seeing Alvarez sooner rather than later.

MFS62 Apr 09 2022 05:06 AM Re: Adopted: Francisco Alvarez

He had a nice first game at AA last night, 3-5 with two doubles and a home run. Later

MFS62 Apr 09 2022 07:30 PM Re: Adopted: Francisco Alvarez

Her hit his second home run in his second AA game. Do we detect a pattern here? Later

m8644 Apr 09 2022 09:05 PM Re: Adopted: Francisco Alvarez

Cannot wait until this kid is up here

MFS62 Apr 10 2022 01:25 PM Re: Adopted: Francisco Alvarez

And on the third day ... he was rested. The manager sat him. Is it the "day game after night game " thingie? If it is, sheesh - the kid is 20 and we're talking the third game of the season. Let's see what the kid can do because he'll have to do it (catch day games after night games) when he reaches the majors. And if you don't want to have him catch, there's this newfangled rule called the DH that will let him bat. And everyone who has heard or read about him wants to see him get as many at bats as possible. Wassup? Inquiring minds want to know. Later

Edgy MD Apr 10 2022 01:44 PM Re: Adopted: Francisco Alvarez

I think it'll be OK.

Edgy MD Apr 10 2022 01:48 PM Re: Adopted: Francisco Alvarez

Mets do little against Whatshisname the Nats pitche.r

MFS62 Apr 10 2022 02:13 PM Re: Adopted: Francisco Alvarez

Edgy MD wrote: I think it'll be OK. We checked. I believe this was the only scheduled weekend series for Binghamton at Hartford this year. If it weren't for another family event, I would have driven over an hour to get there, talking to my grandson about Alvarez all the way, only to get there and not seen him. From past Binghamton visits, I know there are a lot of disappointed Mets fan families who were there today. I'm pissed now, but I would really have been pissed if we had made the trip and not seen him. Later

MFS62 Apr 12 2022 07:27 PM Re: Adopted: Francisco Alvarez

Three homers in three games. He went 2-4 in the Binghamton home opener (with 3 RBI), "dropping" his average to .538. Later

MFS62 Apr 18 2022 05:42 PM Re: Adopted: Francisco Alvarez

The kid has cooled off a bit. He's "down" to .375/.429/1.000 - a 1.429 OPS. His counting stats include 3 doubles and 4 home runs with 10 RBI in six games (the manager didn't put him in the lineup in two games). Later

Edgy MD May 03 2022 10:08 PM Re: Adopted: Francisco Alvarez

Since his hot start, Alvarez has sort of decended in chumpitude. Coaches are trying to tell him that he's the best hitter in the league and the pitchers are expanding the strike zone to avoid him. He's got to learn restraint, and if that happens in Bingo rather than Queens, that would be just terrific. His 1-for-5 with two strikeouts this evening dropped his average to .238.

MFS62 May 31 2022 09:07 AM Re: Adopted: Francisco Alvarez

From today's Amazin Avenue: https://www.amazinavenue.com/2022/5/31/23147484/mets-minor-league-players-of-the-week-week-seven-c-fransisco-alvarez-rhp-connor-greyhttps://www.amazinavenue.com/2022/5/31/23147484/mets-minor-league-players-of-the-week-week-seven-c-fransisco-alvarez-rhp-connor-grey Alvarez got off to an incredible start to the season. In his first 13 games, he hit an impressive .292/.375/.667 with 6 doubles, 4 home runs, 6 walks, and 16 strikeouts, all while running a reasonable .345 BABIP. In his next 13 games, he hit .184/.305/.225 with 2 doubles, 0 home runs, 8 walks, and 13 strikeouts, all of which was coupled with a suppressed .243 BABIP. Checking the box scores, there were weak fly outs and ground balls aplenty. In his last 13 games, he is hitting .309/.339/.509 with a slightly inflated .378 BABIP. Pitchers, seemingly, adjusted to Alvarez. He seemingly started seeing less stuff that he could make solid contact with and drive, which resulted in the backstop drawing a few more walks but expanding the zone and making poor contact. He has since adjusted to the adjustments and is back to his mashing ways for now. This is a good sign, on Alvarez' part. He is still just 20-years-old. He is still just in his second full season of professional baseball. Even Barry Bonds and Mike Trout and Barry Bonds had cold spells. What makes those two players all-time greats (among other reasons) was and is their ability to regroup and return to their elite ways. That Alvarez seemingly has been able to fight out of the slump he was in bodes well for his future. Later

MFS62 Jun 06 2022 07:54 AM Re: Adopted: Francisco Alvarez

Francisco seems to have made adjustments to the adjustments the pitchers made for him after his blazing start and has rebounded nicely. His numbers are now .274/.342/.514 with 12 2B and 10 HR with 28 RBI in 45 games. Later

MFS62 Jun 07 2022 08:06 AM Re: Adopted: Francisco Alvarez

This writer calls Alvarez "the best player in the minors". https://sny.tv/articles/prospect-expert-mets-francisco-alvarez?fbclid=IwAR3aE7GIjXx2rv22iuJyymUkDNFf3QQyhVDmTdt8vUYBxHHJZQM2vmljRyYhttps://sny.tv/articles/prospect-expert-mets-francisco-alvarez?fbclid=IwAR3aE7GIjXx2rv22iuJyymUkDNFf3QQyhVDmTdt8vUYBxHHJZQM2vmljRyY Later

Edgy MD Jun 12 2022 09:39 PM Re: Adopted: Francisco Alvarez

You can call Francisco "Lionel Richie," because he can't slow down. Hit homer #13 in the first for Bingo today. Jordal Yamamoto picked up the win with two innings in relief.

Benjamin Grimm Jun 13 2022 06:11 AM Re: Adopted: Francisco Alvarez

He may not be ready for Flushing, but is it too early to ask if he's ready for Syracuse?

smg58 Jun 13 2022 06:30 AM Re: Adopted: Francisco Alvarez

I was thinking the same thing. Catcher is the weak spot in our lineup even when McCann comes back, and while I wouldn't bring Alvarez to Queens tomorrow, seeing how he handles AAA at this point seems reasonable.

Edgy MD Jun 14 2022 11:05 AM Re: Adopted: Francisco Alvarez

I would guess that he gets a mid-season promotion, perhaps after the All-Star Break. Since, like, 1990, only two catchers have stuck after debuting before their 21st birthday, I think. More have failed. It's just hard to establish starting catchers at any age. Easier to come up as a backup, and learn to hit while somebody else plays the heavy. My first thought when it comes to catchers coming up at 20 is John Gibbons. Doesn't mean it can't be done, of course.

Benjamin Grimm Jun 14 2022 11:46 AM Re: Adopted: Francisco Alvarez

I just did a Google search on "youngest all-star catcher" and got this: Ivan Rodriguez was the youngest catcher to start an All-Star Game when he was voted to start in 1993. Pudge was 21 years old at the time (born in November 1971). He had been previously named as an alternate the year before in 1992.

Benjamin Grimm Jun 14 2022 11:52 AM Re: Adopted: Francisco Alvarez

Edgy MD wrote: It's just hard to establish starting catchers at any age. Easier to come up as a backup, and learn to hit while somebody else plays the heavy. Sticking with this, I looked to see how many catchers had enough playing time (and success) in their first season to win the Rookie of the Year award. There have been nine: 1968 Johnny Bench (CIN) 1970 Thurman Munson (NY) 1971 Earl Williams (ATL) 1972 Carlton Fisk (BOS) 1987 Benito Santiago (SD) 1990 Sandy Alomar Jr. (CLE) 1993 Mike Piazza (LA) 2008 Geovany Soto (CHN) 2010 Buster Posey (SF) I don't expect that the Mets will ditch McCann and give the job to Alvarez. I can see a year or two where they overlap, with McCann acting as a mentor, if he's willing.

Benjamin Grimm Jun 14 2022 02:39 PM Re: Adopted: Francisco Alvarez

https://twitter.com/JonHeyman/status/1536367620823318533

Edgy MD Jun 20 2022 08:35 AM Re: Adopted: Francisco Alvarez

Alvarez can do more than clobber homers, as he garnered two singles a double on Friday. He left the game in the 10th with what appeared to be an injury. This appeared to be confirmed on Saturday as he sat out. He nonetheless returned to the lineup in the DH slot yesterday and ... clobbered a three-run homer. Fortunately for the Rumble Ponies, Francisco's downtime comes while they have rehab patient James McCann with them to help out with the catching.

MFS62 Jun 23 2022 04:16 PM Re: Adopted: Francisco Alvarez

He's hitting .285 for the season, but has hit 15 homers for Double-A Binghamton this season; 11 of them have come over his last 21 games. Álvarez leads all Double-A batters in homers, slugging percentage (.852) and OPS (1.276) over 92 plate appearances in that timeframe. https://www.nj.com/sports/2022/06/mets-top-prospect-avoids-june-swoon-sizzles-at-the-plate.htmlhttps://www.nj.com/sports/2022/06/mets-top-prospect-avoids-june-swoon-sizzles-at-the-plate.html Later

Frayed Knot Jul 03 2022 05:31 AM Re: Adopted: Francisco Alvarez

Headed to Syracuse Was quoted as saying that this not only means he's closer to the big leagues but that now he'll get to hang with FMan, so it's a Win-Win promotion.

Edgy MD Jul 03 2022 10:09 PM Re: Adopted: Francisco Alvarez

Plus, he lasted long enough in Binghamton to eat on Scherzer's dime.

Edgy MD Jul 04 2022 06:42 PM Re: Adopted: Francisco Alvarez

Francisco 1-for-3 with a walk and an RBI so far in his Syracuse debut.

Edgy MD Jul 06 2022 08:12 AM Re: Adopted: Francisco Alvarez

Also notable about that debut is that Alvarez threw out his first would-be base-stealer. I still don't know what the formula is for developing a starting catcher, but MLB pipeline has named him baseball's second-best prospect.

MFS62 Jul 06 2022 08:14 PM Re: Adopted: Francisco Alvarez

According to SNY, on Thursday it will be announced that he's been named to the All-Star futures game. https://www.sny.tv/articles/mets-francisco-alvarez-will-make-all-star-futures-game-2022?fbclid=IwAR2Pk7QK13fF1cWnAQjx85Ql0tZ0_vlYuafGMCA0Xw8_MkyyXRGpn_q24_shttps://www.sny.tv/articles/mets-francisco-alvarez-will-make-all-star-futures-game-2022?fbclid=IwAR2Pk7QK13fF1cWnAQjx85Ql0tZ0_vlYuafGMCA0Xw8_MkyyXRGpn_q24_s Later

Edgy MD Jul 09 2022 04:33 PM Re: Adopted: Francisco Alvarez

What seems like an oblique injury to McCannister may offer itself as a pretext to call Francisco's name.

MFS62 Jul 10 2022 08:50 AM Re: Adopted: Francisco Alvarez

Edgy MD wrote: What seems like an oblique injury to McCannister may offer itself as a pretext to call Francisco's name. While I'd like to see it, he hasn't adjusted to AAA pitching yet, and has been in a (hopefully) mini-slump since he got there. If he had ben mashing at Syracuse, a better argument could be made for bringing him up. With Alvarez, I'll trust the old adage "Good things happen to those who wait". Later

Edgy MD Jul 10 2022 10:33 AM Re: Adopted: Francisco Alvarez

Yeah, it was just a maybe. Certainly not advocating.

ashie62 Jul 14 2022 07:44 AM Re: Adopted: Francisco Alvarez

I believe he gets called up at some point sans a trade for a veteran. Is Francisco a generational talent? Might be.

MFS62 Jul 23 2022 04:36 PM Re: Adopted: Francisco Alvarez

Francisco's first AAA home run is a Grand Slam in today's game. Later

MFS62 Jul 29 2022 05:03 PM Re: Adopted: Francisco Alvarez

Francisco's BA is barely North of the Interstate, but his second home run last night was a walkoff. Later

Edgy MD Jul 29 2022 09:59 PM Re: Adopted: Francisco Alvarez

https://twitter.com/SyracuseMets/status/1552839483162333184

smg58 Jul 31 2022 09:35 AM Re: Adopted: Francisco Alvarez

He has a criminally low BABIP so far, but everything else is OK so far at AAA. I'm betting he'll be cruising in another week or two.

Edgy MD Aug 04 2022 08:04 AM Re: Adopted: Francisco Alvarez

This is what Francisco Álvarez did last night. What did you do? https://twitter.com/SyracuseMets/status/1555002586557710336 What even happened to that ball? Does it even technically exist anymore?

Benjamin Grimm Aug 04 2022 08:11 AM Re: Adopted: Francisco Alvarez

I have to say, I'm glad they didn't trade him.

smg58 Aug 04 2022 08:25 AM Re: Adopted: Francisco Alvarez

I know he still has growing pains, but there's no way we ride with the catchers we have in September and October if there's a catcher at AAA who can do THAT.

Edgy MD Aug 27 2022 11:39 AM Re: Adopted: Francisco Alvarez

He came out of his slump with violence last night. https://twitter.com/SNY_Mets/status/1562232762651721730 I have to say that I have some pause, worrying about his legs. He not only carries extra weight, but he has that Wilmer Flores way of coming down heavy on his feet, like there's no shock absorption or stored energy down there at all. I fear he may be a full-time DH by 25.

MFS62 Aug 28 2022 11:36 AM Re: Adopted: Francisco Alvarez

Per Andy Martino of SNY, Francisco Álvarez has been experiencing right ankle soreness and will be evaluated in New York this week. There is a possibility he will have to miss time. Later

MFS62 Sep 02 2022 06:25 AM Re: Adopted: Francisco Alvarez

He has a "loose body" in the ankle and will be able to resume baseball duties soon. https://metsmerizedonline.com/francisco-alvarez-dealing-with-loose-body-in-right-ankle/https://metsmerizedonline.com/francisco-alvarez-dealing-with-loose-body-in-right-ankle/ sigh of relief. Later

MFS62 Sep 12 2022 01:44 PM Re: Adopted: Francisco Alvarez

Francisco returned from the IL list and played in last night's game, but went 0-4 as the DH. Later

MFS62 Sep 18 2022 01:48 PM Re: Adopted: Francisco Alvarez

Francisco is finally off the AAA interstate. His 2-4 (with a homer and 5 RBI today) put his BA at an even .200. Later

MFS62 Sep 20 2022 10:37 AM Re: Adopted: Francisco Alvarez

Francisco had seven hits with a pair of home runs in 20 at-bats in his first full series since an ankle injury sidelined him in late August. Later

Benjamin Grimm Sep 20 2022 10:39 AM Re: Adopted: Francisco Alvarez

Maybe he needs an ankle injury every once in a while to give him a jump start.

MFS62 Sep 21 2022 12:37 PM Re: Adopted: Francisco Alvarez

Benjamin Grimm wrote: Maybe he needs an ankle injury every once in a while to give him a jump start. You may be onto something. He was 3 for 3 last night with a double and homer in a rain shortened game. Maybe he is stepping more gingerly because he's afraid to inure it again, and it has altered his stroke or approach to the pitch. Later

MFS62 Sep 21 2022 07:56 PM Re: Adopted: Francisco Alvarez

Another 2-4. Up to .225. Later

MFS62 Sep 24 2022 02:01 PM Re: Adopted: Francisco Alvarez

Francisco Álvarez since returning from an ankle injury for Triple-A Syracuse: - 8 G, 34 PA, .387/.441/.742, 3 HR, 10 RBI, 5 XBH, 3 BB, 8 K He didn't play last night. I hope he finishes out the season strong and plays every game until the season ends on Thursday. Later

MFS62 Sep 28 2022 05:12 PM Re: Adopted: Francisco Alvarez

With no announcement whether yesterday's rainout will be made up, Francisco went 2-3 in today's final regular season game. He finished the season with a .234/.382/.443 line at AAA - 158AB, 31R, 37H, 6-0-9, 31 RBI in 45G and .277/.368/.553 at AA - 253AB, 43R,70H, 16-0-18, 47RBI in 76 G. Combined stats: .260/.374/.511 22-0-27 78RBI. Not bad for a 20 year old in 112 games. Later

Frayed Knot Sep 28 2022 05:29 PM Re: Adopted: Francisco Alvarez

The walk rate might be the most impressive part. A 65 - 70 point gap between a hitters BA & OBA is about average. Lurking around 100 and even 100+ point gap when young and young for your league is a very good sign.

MFS62 Oct 19 2022 08:06 AM Re: Adopted: Francisco Alvarez

He had surgery to repair his inured ankle, and will be ready for Spring Training. https://metsmerizedonline.com/francisco-alvarez-ankle-surgery/https://metsmerizedonline.com/francisco-alvarez-ankle-surgery/ Later

[MFS62]

From Jim Bowden, ranking his top 10 players he saw in the Futures Game:

8. Francisco Álvarez, C, New York Mets I had never seen Álvarez in person before, and he blew me away in batting practice with his short, compact swing and loud, sweet-spot contact. He carried it over in the game, hitting a bomb. Behind the plate, he looked solid, although I didn't see him enough to really be able to break him down defensively on the one look. Still, so far it looks like the Mets will have their long-term solution after James McCann.

Later

[MFS62]

Keith Law seems to agree on his midseason top 50.

8. Francisco Álvarez, C, New York Mets Álvarez's bat would play anywhere; he's showing ridiculous power for a 19-year-old, with 10 homers in 56 games and a lot of hard-hit line drives. He wrecked Low-A pitching for two weeks — Low A is not what it used to be, but still, Álvarez hit .417/.567/.646 there — and then moved up to High-A Brooklyn, where he's still taking good at-bats and showing power. The one weakness in his game right now is throwing; he has arm strength but has thrown out just 17 percent of runners this year between the two levels. As long as he stays behind the plate, he's a potential MVP.

Later

[MFS62]

Something to keep an eye on (from Amazing Avenue 8/18 minor league report):

Of note, in that ninth, Francisco Alvarez removed himself from the game after returning the ball to Metoyer. As he was throwing the ball, he grimaced in pain and called over his coaches. He was not in agony and remained calm and collected, so whatever he felt in his throwing arm/shoulder hopefully is nothing serious

Later

[Edgy MD]

CBS Sports is under the impression that Francisco Alvarez is Major League Baseball's seventh-best prospect.



Their top prospect — Baltimore's Adley Rutschman — is also a catcher, but Alvey is three and a half years younger than Adley.

[Benjamin Grimm]

Do they have an ETA for him?