Three Mets prospects who will be future stars in years to come

PORT ST. LUCIE, FL - MARCH 08: Ronny Mauricio #2 of the New York Mets in action against the Houston Astros during a spring training baseball game at Clover Park on March 8, 2020 in Port St. Lucie, Florida. The Mets defeated the Astros 3-1. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /

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NEW YORK – APRIL 07: The home run apple is seen before the New York Mets play the Florida Marlins on April 7, 2010 at Citi Field in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /

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.