The Mets are getting a lift as they head to Atlanta for crucial sequence of the 12 months. The membership is anticipated to name up Francisco Alvarez — a 20-year-old catcher and one of many high prospects in baseball — on Friday forward of the beginning of a three-game set in opposition to the Braves.
Holding solely a one-game lead over the Braves within the NL East, the Mets may use an offensive increase after some inconsistent performances on the plate earlier this week in opposition to the Miami Marlins. The right-handed hitting Alvarez may compete for at-bats as a DH and doubtlessly compete for a playoff roster spot as effectively.
The Mets are in dire want of DH manufacturing. Darin Ruf, acquired on the commerce deadline in alternate for the earlier DH, J.D. Davis, has been abysmal since coming to New York from San Francisco, hitting simply .152 with a .413 OPS. He was even used solely in opposition to left-handed pitching for a stretch and the outcomes weren’t a lot better. Mark Vientos has been used as DH in opposition to lefties as effectively and has hit .250 with one house run.
Left-hander Max Fried is slated to start out Friday and Alvarez has been crushing left-handed pitching this season, slashing .315/.424.595 with a 1.019 OPS in 132 plate appearances between Double-A Binghamton and Triple-A Syracuse.
The Venezuela native who signed with the Mets at age 16 for a franchise file $2.7 million was promoted to Triple-A in July after dominating in Double-A, regardless of being a lot youthful than many of the competitors. He missed time with an ankle damage in August however since he returned to the lineup on Sept. 11 he’s hit .362 with a 1.079 OPS and three house runs.
He has plus-plus energy and his 24 whole homers in 2021 have been second-most amongst minor league youngsters. Manager Buck Showalter referred to as one among his spring coaching bombs a “big boy” house run. He balances that out with a robust stroll price. Alvarez has spectacular measurement and power at solely 5-10 and makes use of it to generate energy.
Behind the plate, he has a plus arm however his defensive skills and framing are nonetheless growing, however these aren’t why the Mets are calling him up proper now. This isn’t unusual for catchers his age.
This could possibly be the primary actual have a look at the participant billed because the Mets’ greatest catcher since Mike Piazza. It’s an enormous second for Alvarez and for the group, particularly given the stakes the Mets are enjoying for in Atlanta, however there’s an inherent danger of calling up a 20-year-old. In the previous, the Mets have rushed prospects, typically out of necessity and typically in an try to drum up pleasure towards the tip of a shedding season. But if utilized in the suitable approach, Alvarez the danger is minimized.
Using Alvarez as a DH in particular conditions may assist him get a really feel for big-time big-league conditions and atmospheres. The environment in Truist Park this weekend will undoubtedly really feel playoff-like, which may assist take a few of the shock worth out of the particular playoffs. His protection and framing received’t be uncovered if he’s solely getting used for his bat for now. And if that bat is as major-league prepared as some scouts say it’s then the Mets ought to completely get a have a look at him earlier than the postseason.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com