This year, Francisco Alvarez will get his chance with the New York Mets earlier than anticipated, making him an immediate must-add in fantasy baseball leagues.
The New York Mets proactively sent top prospect Francisco Alvarez to Citi Field for Thursday’s home opener, which was ultimately postponed to Friday because of catcher Omar Narvaez’s injury on Wednesday.
The Mets do intend to recall Alvarez for Friday’s home opener against the Miami Marlins, according to Tim Healey of Newsday, following the announcement on Thursday that Narvaez is anticipated to miss eight to nine weeks due to a left calf strain.
Alvarez made his major league debut last season, with a home run and two hits over 14 plate appearances (five games). He also appeared in a postseason game, but now he’s in line for a real chance to come to the big leagues and stay for good.
It’s clear Alvarez’s bat is major league-ready. He hit 27 home runs and drove in 78 in the minors last year (Double-A and Triple-A), with a .260/.374/.511 slash-line, a 14.1 percent walk rate and 136 wRC+. The question, as it usually is for young catchers, is defense and that put him Triple-A to start this season.
