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NY Mets Top Prospects: Major league ETAs for the best on the farm

By Nicholas Kyriacou

WEST PALM BEACH, FL - MARCH 11: The New Era cap, Nike sunglasses and Wilson glove of Michael Conforto #30 of the New York Mets during a spring training baseball game against the Houston Astros at Fitteam Ballpark of the Palm Beaches on March 11, 2019 in West Palm Beach, Florida. The Astros defeated the Mets 6-3. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
WEST PALM BEACH, FL - MARCH 11: The New Era cap, Nike sunglasses and Wilson glove of Michael Conforto #30 of the New York Mets during a spring training baseball game against the Houston Astros at Fitteam Ballpark of the Palm Beaches on March 11, 2019 in West Palm Beach, Florida. The Astros defeated the Mets 6-3. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /
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PHILADELPHIA, PA – APRIL 16: Rawlings baseballs sit in a catcher glove in the dugout of the New York Mets before a game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on April 16, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Phillies defeated the Mets 14-3. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /

Francisco Alvarez: Brooklyn Cyclones High-A Affiliate

Entering his second full season in the minor leagues, 19-year-old C Francisco Álvarez already ranks high on MLB’s top 100 list as the No. 41 prospect in the game.

A native of the Dominican Republic, the young backstop signed with the Mets organization at the age of 17, during which time he ranked No. 13 on MLB.com’s Top 30 International Prospects list in July of 2018.

A talented teenaged ballplayer, Álvarez dazzled during his organizational debut before proving himself to be the best Mets hitting prospect as a member of the Kingsport Mets in 2019.

Noted for his work in the batter’s box, demonstrating a powerful bat that could one day fit nicely in the middle of the Mets lineup, his arm strength behind the plate however, remains one of the most significant question marks surrounding the young catcher’s major league aspirations.

Nonetheless, his excellent performance at the plate in the first 15 games of his 2021 season (owning a slash line of .417/.567/.646 with a 1.213 OPS stat to boot) certainly played a part in his recent promotion from A-ball with the St. Lucie Mets to the High-A ball with the Brooklyn Cyclones in late May 2021.

Mets ETA: 2023 September call-up, 2024 Opening Day roster

Since signing with the Mets organization, Álvarez’s position is one the Mets have notably lacked prior to the acquisition of James McCann and emergence of Tomás Nido as an exceptional backup option.

Therefore, I think it’s unlikely Mets fans will see Álvarez in the big leagues until after McCann’s 4-year contract inches closer to its expiration date. At age 19, that seems a good target date to shoot for, as there are still several years of development left for this young player.

But until then the Mets backstop can survive – if not thrive – with McCann and Nido behind the dish.

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