Francisco Alvarez stays the New York Mets‘ catcher heading towards the 2027 MLB season, at any time when it really will get to begin after a conceptual lockout.
First, he’s getting some baseball work in taking part in for a distinct group this winter.
In some components of the world, baseball is a year-round endeavor — and one notably potent in the course of the winter in Latin America.
It’s such a notable factor that MLB gamers will head south and play “winter ball.”
That’s what Alvarez is doing proper now.
Francisco Alvarez in Winter Ball
Alvarez, a local of Venezuela, is at present taking part in within the Venezuelan Winter League.
He’s suiting up for Magallanes.
It’s really the primary time recorded on report that Alvarez has suited up in a winter league since changing into a professional, so it’s notable.
It’ll be an attention-grabbing query to ask Alvarez down the street — he probably hoped to perform one thing this winter by heading to Venezuela.
By Nov. 8, Alvarez has performed 9 video games. He’s off to a chilly begin. Alvarez is hitting 6-for-28 (.214 common) with a .674 OPS. He has one residence run and 6 RBI. He has walked 5 instances and struck out 9 instances.
Provided that Alvarez probably has a stronger motive for this pursuit this winter, the stats might not be that essential. It could possibly be extra about what he can enhance upon within the meantime.
Francisco Alvarez Future
Alvarez stays below contract with the Mets by way of the 2029 season.
He’ll nonetheless have a couple of extra seasons of the arbitration course of to undergo first, so the Mets can have him as their beginning catcher for years to come back if they need.
Alvarez was as soon as a really high-level prospect, and whereas he has had some bumps, he has largely delivered on his conceptual expertise. He has large energy and an enormous arm, and he’s an affordable catcher behind the plate.
The Mets will hope his time in Venezuela this winter may also help him develop.
There’s an opportunity Alvarez determined to play with the lockout looming in baseball — or he merely wished to go well with up for some ballgames in his residence nation whereas he was wholesome and nonetheless in his prime.
Both method, it’s a cool alternative for Alvarez to get some further motion on the diamond.
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