LOS ANGELES — Two weeks into being on the ultimate doorstep of being known as as much as the key leagues, Francisco Alvarez needed to take a detour to a significant league ballpark.
On Saturday, the catcher was at Dodger Stadium for his second straight Futures Recreation. Later this season, he may very well be headed to Citi Area to affix the Mets in a pennant chase.
The 20-year-old Alvarez, who's at present the No. 2 prospect in baseball per MLB.com, began the yr at Double-A Binghamton however may end it in Queens if he proves his bat is able to assist the Mets.
“Clearly it’s all the time been a aim of mine since I used to be slightly child to achieve the massive leagues,” Alvarez mentioned Saturday by an interpreter earlier than going 0-for-1 with a stroll because the Nationwide League’s No. 3 hitter and DH. “That also is the aim.
“I attempt to not get too forward of myself, however I’m right here to assist and I’m able to go at any time when they want me.”
After all, for the following two-plus weeks, Alvarez may additionally hear his identify in commerce rumors. Earlier than Saturday, the catcher figured to be nearly untouchable because the group’s prize jewel within the minors, however maybe the one factor that would change that's together with him in a possible deal for Nationals celebrity Juan Soto — who turned down a 15-year, $440 million provide, placing him in play to be traded earlier than the Aug. 2 deadline.
“I actually attempt to not concentrate on social media or rumors or chatter,” Alvarez mentioned. “All I can do is concentrate on myself and on my day-to-day. That’s what I attempt to care for. Rumors are rumors, they’re going to be on the market, however I simply attempt to concentrate on myself and my day-to-day.”
Alvarez had an identical reply when requested about followers clamoring for him to be promoted to the Mets, although he mentioned he appreciated their help. Whereas the Mets at present have catcher James McCann on the injured checklist with a strained indirect, Alvarez may find yourself in Queens this yr to serve predominantly as a chosen hitter, a spot that has lacked constant manufacturing for supervisor Buck Showalter’s membership.
Mets president Sandy Alderson, talking earlier this week on “The Present” podcast with The Submit’s Joel Sherman and Jon Heyman, mentioned Alvarez wouldn't be a candidate to fill the membership’s void at DH till he confirmed “sustained efficiency over some time frame” at Triple-A.
“I feel in the beginning, if that’s what the group wants, that’s what I'd do,” Alvarez mentioned. “For me, I see myself as a catcher. I feel I'm a catcher, so I plan on taking part in catcher within the massive leagues. But when the group wants me to DH, then I’m more than pleased to do this.”
Alvarez was crushing Double-A pitching to the tune of a .277 batting common with 18 house runs and a .922 OPS in 67 video games with Binghamton. He was promoted to Triple-A Syracuse on July 3, and in his first eight video games was batting simply 2-for-23 (.087) with a .454 OPS, one extra-base hit, 9 strikeouts and 7 walks.
“It’s been nice,” mentioned Alvarez, who was joined on Saturday by Syracuse teammate Mark Vientos. “Truthfully, it’s a variety of new moments, assembly new folks. It’s actually been an fulfilling time for me. … Baseball is totally different at totally different ranges, however for me, it’s all the identical sport.”
Alvarez has additionally gotten to catch Mets aces Max Scherzer and Jacob deGrom throughout their respective rehab assignments in latest weeks, and every pitcher was complimentary of him.
“It feels nice, to be trustworthy,” Alvarez mentioned. “I take a variety of pleasure in what I do. To have pitchers of that caliber say good issues about me, it feels nice. I simply proceed to work arduous and attempt to be the most effective I can.”
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