Francisco Alvarez

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked New York Mets #1 prospect in 2023
  BA Grade/Risk: 65/Medium
  
  Track Record: Alvarez grew up working for his father's construction company in Venezuela. After signing with the Mets for $2.7 million in 2018, he quickly constructed a case as one of the top prospects in baseball. Alvarez hit his way to the Rookie-advanced Appalachian League as a 17-year-old in his 2019 pro debut. The lost 2020 minor league season did nothing to slow him. Alvarez shined at the Mets' alternate training site that summer and emerged as the organization's clear-cut No.1 prospect. When minor league baseball returned in 2021, he was ready. Alvarez popped 24 home runs--only one teenager hit more--in a season spent primarily at High-A. He made further offensive gains in 2022, hitting .260/.374/.511 in 112 games and tallying career highs with 27 homers and 70 walks. Alvarez spent July, August and September with Triple-A Syracuse, but he missed nearly three weeks with a right ankle injury late in the season. He returned from the injured list to hit .362 with three homers and a 1.079 OPS in 13 games to earn his first big league callup on Sept. 30. With New York, a 20-year-old Alvarez popped his first big league homer, caught his first game and made the Mets' postseason roster. He was the youngest player in MLB in 2022.
  
  Scouting Report: Few prospects can match Alvarez's raw power. Built like a fire hydrant at a listed 5-foot-10, 233 pounds, he unleashes a compact, powerful swing that inflicts damage and earns double-plus power grades. Alvarez's average exit velocity in the minors in 2022 was 90 mph and his 90th percentile EV checked in at nearly 108 mph, an elite reading. Alvarez has good feel for the strike zone, but like many young hitters will expand his zone and chase. He should be an average hitter in MLB but can improve that grade slightly with better swing decisions and more zone contact. While he clears the offensive bar at catcher, Alvarez has work to do behind the plate. He receives well and has an average arm he used to throw out 29% of 108 minor league basestealers. He emphasized learning English and conducted meetings in his second language in 2022, underscoring his leadership initiative. Alvarez has a large frame and must remain flexible and strong in his ankles to weather a long season. Game-calling and understanding situations is the final hurdle in his development. With time, he has the potential to develop into a near-average defensive catcher.
  
  The Future: The Mets have long been enamored of Alvarez's work ethic, composure and competitive makeup. He has that 'it' factor to become a star on baseball's biggest stage. Alvarez has already reached the summit of his climb in pro ball, and he is poised to hit in the middle of the Mets' order for a long time. It just might require a bit more Triple-A time to shore up his hitting approach and gain more reps behind the plate. After the season, Alvarez had surgery on his right ankle to remove a loose body and repair damaged cartilage. He is expected to be ready for spring training and will spend most of 2023 with the big club.
  
  Scouting Grades: Hitting: 50. Power: 70. Speed: 30. Fielding: 45. Arm: 50.
• 
  Ranked New York Mets #1 prospect in 2022
  Track Record: When the Mets signed Alvarez for a franchise international amateur record $2.7 million in 2018, they knew they were acquiring a player with a high upside. They just might not have expected him to realize so much of his upside so soon. Alvarez moved quickly to the Rookie-advanced Appalachian League in his 2019 pro debut and put up a .916 OPS as a 17-year-old catcher. His batting dominance manifested at the same age and in the same league as similar breakthroughs by Vladimir Guerrero Jr. in 2016 and Wander Franco in 2018. Alvarez made the most of his time at the Mets’ alternate training site in 2020 during the coronavirus shutdown, wowing scouts and emerging from it as the organization’s clear-cut No. 1 prospect. He retains that standing following a powerful full-season debut in 2021. In a year spent primarily at High-A Brooklyn, he hit .272/.388/.554 with 24 home runs in 99 games and led all qualified 19-year-olds in full-season ball with a .941 OPS. His peer group included standout 2020 first-round picks Jordan Walker, Nick Yorke, Zac Veen and Robert Hassell III. Alvarez shined at the Mets’ fall hitting camp after the season, where he helped mentor fellow young players, and participated in Dominican instructional league in November.
  
  Scouting Report: Alvarez combines rare hitting attributes at the plate with the tools, personality and motivation to develop into a championship catcher. At the plate, Alvarez has incredible awareness and shows no fear. He has plus offensive upside, both in terms of hitting for average and power. Alvarez makes adjustments within at-bats and has the sort of natural timing and ability to pick up spin to hit breaking pitches. His power is the product of good weight transfer and a short, fast bat path to crush baseballs, especially to right-center field. Alvarez is a motivated defensive catcher who should get to average overall. One reason the Mets promoted him out of Low-A St. Lucie after 15 games was that they wanted him to hone his framing with a human umpire, rather than the automated balls and strikes at Low-A Southeast. He receives the ball well but needs to fine-tune his presentation to buy strikes for his pitchers. His raw arm strength is plus but plays down to average because of inefficient throwing mechanics. He threw out 23% of basestealers in 2021. Alvarez dramatically improved his rate of passed balls but still has a tendency to use his hands more than his body when blocking pitches in the dirt. The Mets expect him to improve his defensive consistency because of his drive and passion to improve.
  
  The Future: Alvarez planned to spend the offseason in Miami to continue developing his game. He should spend the bulk of 2022 at Double-A as a 20-year-old, with an MLB debut possible in 2023 after some Triple-A seasoning. It’s rare for catchers as young as Alvarez to play regularly in the majors, but few young catchers have his precociousness. He has a chance to be a middle-of-the-order hitter and team leader behind the plate.
  
• 
  Ranked New York Mets #1 prospect in 2021
  Hitting: 50.Power: 60. Run: 30. Fielding: 50. Arm: 60.
  TRACK RECORD: The Mets made Alvarez the headliner of their 2018 international class by signing the Venezuelan catcher for a franchise-record $2.7 million. He dazzled in his 2019 pro debut by quickly hitting his way to the Rookie-level Appalachian League as a 17-year-old. That is the same age and level progression traveled by Vladimir Guerrero Jr. in 2016 and Wander Franco in 2018. Alvarez didn’t get a chance to build on his breakout in 2020 because of the pandemic and canceled minor league season. Stranded in spring training in mid-March when Venezuela shut its borders, he headed from Port St. Lucie, Fla., to the Mets’ alternate training site in Brooklyn in July. He wowed teammates and staff as the most impressive hitter in camp.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Alvarez developed exceptionally strong hands and forearms from working for his father’s construction company as a youth. He has incredible raw strength, double-plus raw power and he drives the ball to the opposite field exceptionally well. He is a confident two-strike hitter who can spoil pitches and put offspeed and breaking pitches in play with authority. He has the type of bat-to-ball skill, reflexes and flyball profile to deliver first-division offensive production at catcher. Alvarez’s defensive game requires maintenance, but he will stick at the position. He is a confident, poised defensive catcher with solid-average receiving ability and a plus arm. He allowed 15 passed balls in 27 games behind the plate in 2019, calling into question his blocking ability. But some of that is attributable to the one-knee catching technique he is learning. It helps him present pitches to the umpire to gain strikes for his pitcher but costs him lateral mobility on balls in the dirt and momentum on throws to second base. Alvarez tends to overthrow on stolen base attempts and needs to focus on making clean transfers and accurate throws to the bag. He has the type of outgoing, take-charge attitude to build rapport with pitchers. The next step is building conviction in his pitch calling. Alvarez has a thick build and mature body type even at age 19, but he is flexible enough for the position and determined to be a big league catcher.
  
  THE FUTURE: Alvarez lost at-bats to the pandemic but gained valuable experience with veteran pitchers at the alternate site and at instructional league, where he called his own game. He was slated to head to the Australian Baseball League in the offseason, but when Venezuela opened its borders in the fall, the 19-year-old asked to return home to see family. The young catcher was also feeling worn down after what equated to his first full season. Alvarez is the rare catching prospect who has middle-of-the-order offensive upside, though it will take at least two more full seasons in the minors for his glove to catch up. The wait will be worth it.
• 
  Ranked New York Mets #2 prospect in 2020
  TRACK RECORD: The Mets loved Alvarez's combination of tools when they signed him, but they were equally enamored of his work ethic and grinding mentality. Rival scouts mirrored the Mets' praise after getting a look at the 17-year-old catcher at a pair of Rookie-level stops in his 2019 pro debut. Alvarez hit .462 during a week in the Gulf Coast League before his manager implored the Mets to promote him. He continued to hit as the youngest player in the Appalachian League, ranking as the circuit's No. 1 prospect.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Alvarez has the potential to be a franchise catcher. He handles velocity and stays on breaking balls, while showing elite bat-to-ball ability and power straightaway and to the opposite field. Alvarez has special potential with the bat and could be a plus overall hitter with power. He has all the ingredients behind the plate to start for a winning team, including a high energy level and the massive hands and forearms of a big league backstop. He receives well and keeps the running game in check with a plus arm. On his to-do list are fine-tuning his pitch-framing and game-calling.
  
  THE FUTURE: Alvarez desires to be great and has put in the work to learn English and condition his body. Look for him to make a splash in full-season ball in 2020 and get on the big league radar in 2023.
• 
  Ranked New York Mets #12 prospect in 2019
  Track Record: Alvarez's family owned a construction business in Venezuela, and Francisco took part in the family trade by handling 90-pound bags of concrete at age 10. That work ethic and raw strength serve him as a catcher, a position he took up at a young age. Alvarez's tools marked him as the No. 9 prospect in the 2018 international signing class, and the Mets signed him on July 2 when he was 16.
  
  Scouting Report: Alvarez has such large hands, wide forearms and intense grip strength that teammates have taken to nicknaming him "The Thing"from the Fantastic Four comic books. He is an intense competitor with the quick-twitch actions and toughness to become an everyday catcher. Alvarez hits for power in games with a short, explosive stroke, and he can drive the ball straightaway and to right field with above-average power. He has the barrel control, bath path and plate discipline to hit for a solid average. Alvarez's defensive ability and arm grade as above-average, though he needs to improve his lateral agility. He runs deceptively well despite his position and stocky frame.
  
  The Future: Alvarez faces a long trek to the big leagues, but he could be worth the wait. With a chance for an above-average bat and above-average defense to go with a grinding, win-at-all-costs mentality, he has first-division potential behind the plate.

Minor League Top Prospects

• 
  Ranked South Atlantic League #3 prospect in 2021
  The Mets’ No. 1 prospect has some of the most impressive raw power in the minors and it was on full display during the Futures Game. In addition to hitting a home run during the game, Alvarez launched shot after shot to center field in batting practice. Alvarez has had no trouble making consistent hard contact as one of the younger players in High-A East, with 22 home runs in just 84 games at 19 years old, though his power has come with a high rate of swing and miss. Alvarez showed improvement behind the plate this season, getting more confident in his ability to work with pitchers while earning praise for his receiving ability. He has a plus arm, but will need to continue to work on his balance, setup and game calling.
• 
  Ranked National League #1 prospect in 2019
  Alvarez began his first pro season in the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League before showing that his bat was more than advanced enough for the level (1.395 OPS). He was promoted to Kingsport, where he posted an .820 OPS over 35 games while being more than three years younger than the average hitter. Alvarez has extremely strong hands and forearms, with an advanced swing, solid barrel control and impressive usage of the opposite field with impact. Defensively, he has impressive arm strength and handles a staff well despite his youth, with the tools to be an above-average defender with continued refinement. The 17-year-old backstop is also praised for his work ethic and enthusiasm on the field in addition to his well-rounded tool set. "That’s what shocked me when I found out he was 17,” one Appy League manager said. "You don’t see kids that young who can catch that well usually. Tremendous arm strength, and (he) shut down our running game.”

Top 100 Rankings

• Ranked Baseball America's #9 prospect in 2023
• Ranked Baseball America's #13 prospect in 2022
• Ranked Baseball America's #48 prospect in 2021
• Ranked Baseball America's #67 prospect in 2020

• February, 2023 Scouting Report
  BA Grade/Risk: 65/Medium
  
  Track Record: Alvarez grew up working for his father's construction company in Venezuela. After signing with the Mets for $2.7 million in 2018, he quickly constructed a case as one of the top prospects in baseball. Alvarez hit his way to the Rookie-advanced Appalachian League as a 17-year-old in his 2019 pro debut. The lost 2020 minor league season did nothing to slow him. Alvarez shined at the Mets' alternate training site that summer and emerged as the organization's clear-cut No.1 prospect. When minor league baseball returned in 2021, he was ready. Alvarez popped 24 home runs--only one teenager hit more--in a season spent primarily at High-A. He made further offensive gains in 2022, hitting .260/.374/.511 in 112 games and tallying career highs with 27 homers and 70 walks. Alvarez spent July, August and September with Triple-A Syracuse, but he missed nearly three weeks with a right ankle injury late in the season. He returned from the injured list to hit .362 with three homers and a 1.079 OPS in 13 games to earn his first big league callup on Sept. 30. With New York, a 20-year-old Alvarez popped his first big league homer, caught his first game and made the Mets' postseason roster. He was the youngest player in MLB in 2022.
  
  Scouting Report: Few prospects can match Alvarez's raw power. Built like a fire hydrant at a listed 5-foot-10, 233 pounds, he unleashes a compact, powerful swing that inflicts damage and earns double-plus power grades. Alvarez's average exit velocity in the minors in 2022 was 90 mph and his 90th percentile EV checked in at nearly 108 mph, an elite reading. Alvarez has good feel for the strike zone, but like many young hitters will expand his zone and chase. He should be an average hitter in MLB but can improve that grade slightly with better swing decisions and more zone contact. While he clears the offensive bar at catcher, Alvarez has work to do behind the plate. He receives well and has an average arm he used to throw out 29% of 108 minor league basestealers. He emphasized learning English and conducted meetings in his second language in 2022, underscoring his leadership initiative. Alvarez has a large frame and must remain flexible and strong in his ankles to weather a long season. Game-calling and understanding situations is the final hurdle in his development. With time, he has the potential to develop into a near-average defensive catcher.
  
  The Future: The Mets have long been enamored of Alvarez's work ethic, composure and competitive makeup. He has that 'it' factor to become a star on baseball's biggest stage. Alvarez has already reached the summit of his climb in pro ball, and he is poised to hit in the middle of the Mets' order for a long time. It just might require a bit more Triple-A time to shore up his hitting approach and gain more reps behind the plate. After the season, Alvarez had surgery on his right ankle to remove a loose body and repair damaged cartilage. He is expected to be ready for spring training and will spend most of 2023 with the big club.
  
  Scouting Grades: Hitting: 50. Power: 70. Speed: 30. Fielding: 45. Arm: 50.
• December, 2022 Scouting Report
  BA Grade/Risk: 65/Medium
  
  Track Record: Alvarez grew up working for his father's construction company in Venezuela. After signing with the Mets for $2.7 million in 2018, he quickly constructed a case as one of the top prospects in baseball. Alvarez hit his way to the Rookie-advanced Appalachian League as a 17-year-old in his 2019 pro debut. The lost 2020 minor league season did nothing to slow him. Alvarez shined at the Mets' alternate training site that summer and emerged as the organization's clear-cut No.1 prospect. When minor league baseball returned in 2021, he was ready. Alvarez popped 24 home runs--only one teenager hit more--in a season spent primarily at High-A. He made further offensive gains in 2022, hitting .260/.374/.511 in 112 games and tallying career highs with 27 homers and 70 walks. Alvarez spent July, August and September with Triple-A Syracuse, but he missed nearly three weeks with a right ankle injury late in the season. He returned from the injured list to hit .362 with three homers and a 1.079 OPS in 13 games to earn his first big league callup on Sept. 30. With New York, a 20-year-old Alvarez popped his first big league homer, caught his first game and made the Mets' postseason roster. He was the youngest player in MLB in 2022.
  
  Scouting Report: Few prospects can match Alvarez's raw power. Built like a fire hydrant at a listed 5-foot-10, 233 pounds, he unleashes a compact, powerful swing that inflicts damage and earns double-plus power grades. Alvarez's average exit velocity in the minors in 2022 was 90 mph and his 90th percentile EV checked in at nearly 108 mph, an elite reading. Alvarez has good feel for the strike zone, but like many young hitters will expand his zone and chase. He should be an average hitter in MLB but can improve that grade slightly with better swing decisions and more zone contact. While he clears the offensive bar at catcher, Alvarez has work to do behind the plate. He receives well and has an average arm he used to throw out 29% of 108 minor league basestealers. He emphasized learning English and conducted meetings in his second language in 2022, underscoring his leadership initiative. Alvarez has a large frame and must remain flexible and strong in his ankles to weather a long season. Game-calling and understanding situations is the final hurdle in his development. With time, he has the potential to develop into a near-average defensive catcher.
  
  The Future: The Mets have long been enamored of Alvarez's work ethic, composure and competitive makeup. He has that 'it' factor to become a star on baseball's biggest stage. Alvarez has already reached the summit of his climb in pro ball, and he is poised to hit in the middle of the Mets' order for a long time. It just might require a bit more Triple-A time to shore up his hitting approach and gain more reps behind the plate. After the season, Alvarez had surgery on his right ankle to remove a loose body and repair damaged cartilage. He is expected to be ready for spring training and will spend most of 2023 with the big club.
  
  Scouting Grades: Hitting: 50. Power: 70. Speed: 30. Fielding: 45. Arm: 50.
• April, 2022 Scouting Report
  BA Grade: 65/Medium
  
  Track Record: When the Mets signed Alvarez for a franchise international amateur record $2.7 million in 2018, they knew they were acquiring a player with a high upside. They just might not have expected him to realize so much of his upside so soon. Alvarez moved quickly to the Rookie-advanced Appalachian League in his 2019 pro debut and put up a .916 OPS as a 17-year-old catcher. He made the most of his time at the Mets&#39 alternate training site in 2020 during the coronavirus shutdown, wowing scouts and emerging from it as the organization&#39s clear-cut No. 1 prospect. Alvarez retains that standing following a powerful full-season debut in 2021. In a year spent primarily at High-A Brooklyn, he hit .272/.388/.554 with 24 home runs in 99 games and led all qualified 19-year-olds in full-season ball with a .941 OPS. His peer group included standout 2020 first-round picks Jordan Walker, Nick Yorke, Zac Veen and Robert Hassell. Alvarez shined at the Mets&#39 fall hitting camp after the season and participated in Dominican instructional league in November.
  
  Scouting Report: Alvarez combines rare hitting attributes at the plate with the tools, personality and motivation to develop into a championship catcher. At the plate, Alvarez has incredible awareness and shows no fear. He has plus offensive upside, both in terms of hitting for average and power. Alvarez makes adjustments within at-bats and has the sort of natural timing and ability to pick up spin to hit breaking pitches. His power is the product of good weight transfer and a short, fast bat path to crush baseballs, especially to right-center field. Alvarez is a motivated defensive catcher who should get to average overall. One reason the Mets promoted him out of Low-A St. Lucie after 15 games was that they wanted him to hone his framing with a human umpire, rather than the automated balls and strikes at Low-A Southeast. He receives the ball well but needs to fine-tune his presentation to buy strikes for his pitchers. His raw arm strength is plus but plays down to average because of inefficient throwing mechanics. He threw out 23% of basestealers in 2021. Alvarez dramatically improved his rate of passed balls but still has a tendency to use his hands more than his body when blocking pitches in the dirt. The Mets expect him to improve his defensive consistency because of his drive and passion to improve.
  
  The Future: Alvarez planned to spend the offseason in Miami to continue developing his game. He should spend the bulk of 2022 at Double-A as a 20-year-old, with an MLB debut possible in 2023 after some Triple-A seasoning. It&#39s rare for catchers as young as Alvarez to play regularly in the majors, but few young catchers have his precociousness. He has a chance to be a middle-of-the-order hitter and team leader behind the plate.
  
  Scouting Grades:Hit: 60. Power: 60. Speed: 30. Fielding: 50. Arm: 55.
• December, 2021 Scouting Report
  Track Record: When the Mets signed Alvarez for a franchise international amateur record $2.7 million in 2018, they knew they were acquiring a player with a high upside. They just might not have expected him to realize so much of his upside so soon. Alvarez moved quickly to the Rookie-advanced Appalachian League in his 2019 pro debut and put up a .916 OPS as a 17-year-old catcher. His batting dominance manifested at the same age and in the same league as similar breakthroughs by Vladimir Guerrero Jr. in 2016 and Wander Franco in 2018. Alvarez made the most of his time at the Mets’ alternate training site in 2020 during the coronavirus shutdown, wowing scouts and emerging from it as the organization’s clear-cut No. 1 prospect. He retains that standing following a powerful full-season debut in 2021. In a year spent primarily at High-A Brooklyn, he hit .272/.388/.554 with 24 home runs in 99 games and led all qualified 19-year-olds in full-season ball with a .941 OPS. His peer group included standout 2020 first-round picks Jordan Walker, Nick Yorke, Zac Veen and Robert Hassell III. Alvarez shined at the Mets’ fall hitting camp after the season, where he helped mentor fellow young players, and participated in Dominican instructional league in November.
  
  Scouting Report: Alvarez combines rare hitting attributes at the plate with the tools, personality and motivation to develop into a championship catcher. At the plate, Alvarez has incredible awareness and shows no fear. He has plus offensive upside, both in terms of hitting for average and power. Alvarez makes adjustments within at-bats and has the sort of natural timing and ability to pick up spin to hit breaking pitches. His power is the product of good weight transfer and a short, fast bat path to crush baseballs, especially to right-center field. Alvarez is a motivated defensive catcher who should get to average overall. One reason the Mets promoted him out of Low-A St. Lucie after 15 games was that they wanted him to hone his framing with a human umpire, rather than the automated balls and strikes at Low-A Southeast. He receives the ball well but needs to fine-tune his presentation to buy strikes for his pitchers. His raw arm strength is plus but plays down to average because of inefficient throwing mechanics. He threw out 23% of basestealers in 2021. Alvarez dramatically improved his rate of passed balls but still has a tendency to use his hands more than his body when blocking pitches in the dirt. The Mets expect him to improve his defensive consistency because of his drive and passion to improve.
  
  The Future: Alvarez planned to spend the offseason in Miami to continue developing his game. He should spend the bulk of 2022 at Double-A as a 20-year-old, with an MLB debut possible in 2023 after some Triple-A seasoning. It’s rare for catchers as young as Alvarez to play regularly in the majors, but few young catchers have his precociousness. He has a chance to be a middle-of-the-order hitter and team leader behind the plate.
  
• October, 2021 Scouting Report
  The Mets’ No. 1 prospect has some of the most impressive raw power in the minors and it was on full display during the Futures Game. In addition to hitting a home run during the game, Alvarez launched shot after shot to center field in batting practice. Alvarez has had no trouble making consistent hard contact as one of the younger players in High-A East, with 22 home runs in just 84 games at 19 years old, though his power has come with a high rate of swing and miss. Alvarez showed improvement behind the plate this season, getting more confident in his ability to work with pitchers while earning praise for his receiving ability. He has a plus arm, but will need to continue to work on his balance, setup and game calling.
• July, 2021 Scouting Report
  Hitting: 50.Power: 60. Run: 30. Fielding: 50. Arm: 60.
  TRACK RECORD: The Mets made Alvarez the headliner of their 2018 international class by signing the Venezuelan catcher for a franchise-record $2.7 million. He dazzled in his 2019 pro debut by quickly hitting his way to the Rookie-level Appalachian League as a 17-year-old. That is the same age and level progression traveled by Vladimir Guerrero Jr. in 2016 and Wander Franco in 2018. Alvarez didn't get a chance to build on his breakout in 2020 because of the pandemic and canceled minor league season. Stranded in spring training in mid-March when Venezuela shut its borders, he headed from Port St. Lucie, Fla., to the Mets' alternate training site in Brooklyn in July. He wowed teammates and staff as the most impressive hitter in camp.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Alvarez developed exceptionally strong hands and forearms from working for his father's construction company as a youth. He has incredible raw strength, double-plus raw power and he drives the ball to the opposite field exceptionally well. He is a confident two-strike hitter who can spoil pitches and put offspeed and breaking pitches in play with authority. He has the type of bat-to-ball skill, reflexes and flyball profile to deliver first-division offensive production at catcher. Alvarez's defensive game requires maintenance, but he will stick at the position. He is a confident, poised defensive catcher with solid-average receiving ability and a plus arm. He allowed 15 passed balls in 27 games behind the plate in 2019, calling into question his blocking ability. But some of that is attributable to the one-knee catching technique he is learning. It helps him present pitches to the umpire to gain strikes for his pitcher but costs him lateral mobility on balls in the dirt and momentum on throws to second base. Alvarez tends to overthrow on stolen base attempts and needs to focus on making clean transfers and accurate throws to the bag. He has the type of outgoing, take-charge attitude to build rapport with pitchers. The next step is building conviction in his pitch calling. Alvarez has a thick build and mature body type even at age 19, but he is flexible enough for the position and determined to be a big league catcher.
  
  THE FUTURE: Alvarez lost at-bats to the pandemic but gained valuable experience with veteran pitchers at the alternate site and at instructional league, where he called his own game. He was slated to head to the Australian Baseball League in the offseason, but when Venezuela opened its borders in the fall, the 19-year-old asked to return home to see family. The young catcher was also feeling worn down after what equated to his first full season. Alvarez is the rare catching prospect who has middle-of-the-order offensive upside, though it will take at least two more full seasons in the minors for his glove to catch up. The wait will be worth it.
• March, 2021 Scouting Report
  Hitting: 50.Power: 60. Run: 30. Fielding: 50. Arm: 60.
  TRACK RECORD: The Mets made Alvarez the headliner of their 2018 international class by signing the Venezuelan catcher for a franchise-record $2.7 million. He dazzled in his 2019 pro debut by quickly hitting his way to the Rookie-level Appalachian League as a 17-year-old. That is the same age and level progression traveled by Vladimir Guerrero Jr. in 2016 and Wander Franco in 2018. Alvarez didn’t get a chance to build on his breakout in 2020 because of the pandemic and canceled minor league season. Stranded in spring training in mid-March when Venezuela shut its borders, he headed from Port St. Lucie, Fla., to the Mets’ alternate training site in Brooklyn in July. He wowed teammates and staff as the most impressive hitter in camp.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Alvarez developed exceptionally strong hands and forearms from working for his father’s construction company as a youth. He has incredible raw strength, double-plus raw power and he drives the ball to the opposite field exceptionally well. He is a confident two-strike hitter who can spoil pitches and put offspeed and breaking pitches in play with authority. He has the type of bat-to-ball skill, reflexes and flyball profile to deliver first-division offensive production at catcher. Alvarez’s defensive game requires maintenance, but he will stick at the position. He is a confident, poised defensive catcher with solid-average receiving ability and a plus arm. He allowed 15 passed balls in 27 games behind the plate in 2019, calling into question his blocking ability. But some of that is attributable to the one-knee catching technique he is learning. It helps him present pitches to the umpire to gain strikes for his pitcher but costs him lateral mobility on balls in the dirt and momentum on throws to second base. Alvarez tends to overthrow on stolen base attempts and needs to focus on making clean transfers and accurate throws to the bag. He has the type of outgoing, take-charge attitude to build rapport with pitchers. The next step is building conviction in his pitch calling. Alvarez has a thick build and mature body type even at age 19, but he is flexible enough for the position and determined to be a big league catcher.
  
  THE FUTURE: Alvarez lost at-bats to the pandemic but gained valuable experience with veteran pitchers at the alternate site and at instructional league, where he called his own game. He was slated to head to the Australian Baseball League in the offseason, but when Venezuela opened its borders in the fall, the 19-year-old asked to return home to see family. The young catcher was also feeling worn down after what equated to his first full season. Alvarez is the rare catching prospect who has middle-of-the-order offensive upside, though it will take at least two more full seasons in the minors for his glove to catch up. The wait will be worth it.
• December, 2020 Scouting Report
  Hitting: 50.Power: 60. Run: 30. Fielding: 50. Arm: 60.
  TRACK RECORD: The Mets made Alvarez the headliner of their 2018 international class by signing the Venezuelan catcher for a franchise-record $2.7 million. He dazzled in his 2019 pro debut by quickly hitting his way to the Rookie-level Appalachian League as a 17-year-old. That is the same age and level progression traveled by Vladimir Guerrero Jr. in 2016 and Wander Franco in 2018. Alvarez didn’t get a chance to build on his breakout in 2020 because of the pandemic and canceled minor league season. Stranded in spring training in mid-March when Venezuela shut its borders, he headed from Port St. Lucie, Fla., to the Mets’ alternate training site in Brooklyn in July. He wowed teammates and staff as the most impressive hitter in camp.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Alvarez developed exceptionally strong hands and forearms from working for his father’s construction company as a youth. He has incredible raw strength, double-plus raw power and he drives the ball to the opposite field exceptionally well. He is a confident two-strike hitter who can spoil pitches and put offspeed and breaking pitches in play with authority. He has the type of bat-to-ball skill, reflexes and flyball profile to deliver first-division offensive production at catcher. Alvarez’s defensive game requires maintenance, but he will stick at the position. He is a confident, poised defensive catcher with solid-average receiving ability and a plus arm. He allowed 15 passed balls in 27 games behind the plate in 2019, calling into question his blocking ability. But some of that is attributable to the one-knee catching technique he is learning. It helps him present pitches to the umpire to gain strikes for his pitcher but costs him lateral mobility on balls in the dirt and momentum on throws to second base. Alvarez tends to overthrow on stolen base attempts and needs to focus on making clean transfers and accurate throws to the bag. He has the type of outgoing, take-charge attitude to build rapport with pitchers. The next step is building conviction in his pitch calling. Alvarez has a thick build and mature body type even at age 19, but he is flexible enough for the position and determined to be a big league catcher.
  
  THE FUTURE: Alvarez lost at-bats to the pandemic but gained valuable experience with veteran pitchers at the alternate site and at instructional league, where he called his own game. He was slated to head to the Australian Baseball League in the offseason, but when Venezuela opened its borders in the fall, the 19-year-old asked to return home to see family. The young catcher was also feeling worn down after what equated to his first full season. Alvarez is the rare catching prospect who has middle-of-the-order offensive upside, though it will take at least two more full seasons in the minors for his glove to catch up. The wait will be worth it.
• July, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: The Mets loved Alvarez’s combination of tools when they signed him, but they were equally enamored of his work ethic and grinding mentality. Rival scouts mirrored the Mets’ praise after getting a look at the 17-year-old catcher at a pair of Rookie-level stops in his 2019 pro debut. Alvarez hit .462 during a week in the Gulf Coast League before his manager implored the Mets to promote him. He continued to hit as the youngest player in the Appalachian League, ranking as the circuit’s No. 1 prospect.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Alvarez has the potential to be a franchise catcher. He handles velocity and stays on breaking balls, while showing elite bat-to-ball ability and power straightaway and to the opposite field. Alvarez has special potential with the bat and could be a plus overall hitter with power. He has all the ingredients behind the plate to start for a winning team, including a high energy level and the massive hands and forearms of a big league backstop. He receives well and keeps the running game in check with a plus arm. On his to-do list are fine-tuning his pitch-framing and game-calling.
  
  THE FUTURE: Alvarez desires to be great and has put in the work to learn English and condition his body. Look for him to make a splash in full-season ball in 2020 and get on the big league radar in 2023.
• December, 2019 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: The Mets loved Alvarez's combination of tools when they signed him, but they were equally enamored of his work ethic and grinding mentality. Rival scouts mirrored the Mets' praise after getting a look at the 17-year-old catcher at a pair of Rookie-level stops in his 2019 pro debut. Alvarez hit .462 during a week in the Gulf Coast League before his manager implored the Mets to promote him. He continued to hit as the youngest player in the Appalachian League, ranking as the circuit's No. 1 prospect.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Alvarez has the potential to be a franchise catcher. He handles velocity and stays on breaking balls, while showing elite bat-to-ball ability and power straightaway and to the opposite field. Alvarez has special potential with the bat and could be a plus overall hitter with power. He has all the ingredients behind the plate to start for a winning team, including a high energy level and the massive hands and forearms of a big league backstop. He receives well and keeps the running game in check with a plus arm. On his to-do list are fine-tuning his pitch-framing and game-calling.
  
  THE FUTURE: Alvarez desires to be great and has put in the work to learn English and condition his body. Look for him to make a splash in full-season ball in 2020 and get on the big league radar in 2023.
• August, 2019 Scouting Report
  Track Record: Alvarez's family owned a construction business in Venezuela, and Francisco took part in the family trade by handling 90-pound bags of concrete at age 10. That work ethic and raw strength serve him as a catcher, a position he took up at a young age. Alvarez's tools marked him as the No. 9 prospect in the 2018 international signing class, and the Mets signed him on July 2 when he was 16.
  
  Scouting Report: Alvarez has such large hands, wide forearms and intense grip strength that teammates have taken to nicknaming him "The Thing"from the Fantastic Four comic books. He is an intense competitor with the quick-twitch actions and toughness to become an everyday catcher. Alvarez hits for power in games with a short, explosive stroke, and he can drive the ball straightaway and to right field with above-average power. He has the barrel control, bath path and plate discipline to hit for a solid average. Alvarez's defensive ability and arm grade as above-average, though he needs to improve his lateral agility. He runs deceptively well despite his position and stocky frame.
  
  The Future: Alvarez faces a long trek to the big leagues, but he could be worth the wait. With a chance for an above-average bat and above-average defense to go with a grinding, win-at-all-costs mentality, he has first-division potential behind the plate.
• February, 2019 Scouting Report
  Track Record: Alvarez's family owned a construction business in Venezuela, and Francisco took part in the family trade by handling 90-pound bags of concrete at age 10. That work ethic and raw strength serve him as a catcher, a position he took up at a young age. Alvarez's tools marked him as the No. 9 prospect in the 2018 international signing class, and the Mets signed him on July 2 when he was 16.
  
  Scouting Report: Alvarez has such large hands, wide forearms and intense grip strength that teammates have taken to nicknaming him "The Thing"from the Fantastic Four comic books. He is an intense competitor with the quick-twitch actions and toughness to become an everyday catcher. Alvarez hits for power in games with a short, explosive stroke, and he can drive the ball straightaway and to right field with above-average power. He has the barrel control, bath path and plate discipline to hit for a solid average. Alvarez's defensive ability and arm grade as above-average, though he needs to improve his lateral agility. He runs deceptively well despite his position and stocky frame.
  
  The Future: Alvarez faces a long trek to the big leagues, but he could be worth the wait. With a chance for an above-average bat and above-average defense to go with a grinding, win-at-all-costs mentality, he has first-division potential behind the plate.
• December, 2018 Scouting Report
  Alvarez began his first pro season in the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League before showing that his bat was more than advanced enough for the level (1.395 OPS). He was promoted to Kingsport, where he posted an .820 OPS over 35 games while being more than three years younger than the average hitter. Alvarez has extremely strong hands and forearms, with an advanced swing, solid barrel control and impressive usage of the opposite field with impact. Defensively, he has impressive arm strength and handles a staff well despite his youth, with the tools to be an above-average defender with continued refinement. The 17-year-old backstop is also praised for his work ethic and enthusiasm on the field in addition to his well-rounded tool set. "That’s what shocked me when I found out he was 17,” one Appy League manager said. "You don’t see kids that young who can catch that well usually. Tremendous arm strength, and (he) shut down our running game.”