
2) Mets catcher prospect Francisco Alvarez
Who doesn’t love a catcher that is known primarily for his bat? Francisco Alvarez, of Venezuela, signed for 2.9 million dollars as a 16-year-old on the international free agent market back in 2018, breaking the expensive record set by Ronny Mauricio the year before.
In the last full year of minor league baseball, 2019, Alvarez shined in rookie ball, posting .312/.407/.510 splits in a league where he was on average three years younger than the rest of the competition.
Only 19 years old, Alvarez is also noted for his natural leadership skills, an essential trait for a team’s future franchise catcher who will command the pitching staff and characterize the right attitude in the clubhouse.
Alvarez’s greatest strengths are his ability to hit for average as well as power, and his arm strength as a catcher defensively. His bat was publicly highlighted in a Twitter video when he hit a home run off of Mets legend Jacob deGrom in a Florida intrateam scrimmage.
The Mets belief and desire to keep Alvarez has also been the reason for the team not making moves to acquire sluggers like Kris Bryant on the trade market.
Alvarez will begin this season playing alongside teammate Ronny Mauricio with the single-A St. Lucie Mets. Pending his promising potential actualizing, Alvarez is expected to arrive at the major league level in 2023. This will be the perfect time for his arrival in his then age 21-year-old season. By arriving in 2023 Alvarez will be given the proper amount of time to adjust to the major league level and gain valuable experience learning from James McCann before the veteran’s contract expires.