Francisco Alvarez is ‘The Iron Troll’

Francisco Alvarez will turn 24 years old on November 19. For some perspective, he’s nearly 300 games into his MLB career, and yet he’s younger than rookie teammates Ronny Mauricio, Brandon Sproat, and Nolan McLean. Despite his young age, Alvarez’s presence and play command respect. Combining his dedication to improving his craft with his insatiable desire to win, you get a player anyone would want as a teammate.

Dedication to Improving Craft

Throughout his young career, Alvarez has been praised for his dedication to growing and improving. He brims with a humble confidence that allows him to ask questions and learn, even while wearing across his chest that reads “The Best.” However, things don’t always go as planned, and it doesn’t help that he’s playing the grueling catching position.

After missing more than a third of the 2024 season, Alvarez’s 2025 got off to a similar start. It was announced on March 9 that he would miss 6-8 weeks after fracturing the hamate bone in his left hand. While he returned on the short end of that timeline, April 25, his bat didn’t seem keen on joining him. Over 35 games, Alvarez struggled at the dish with a .236/.319/.333/.652 slashline. His defense lagged, too, ranking in the 8th and 34th percentile in framing rate and blocking rate, respectively. Alvarez was demoted to Triple-A Syracuse on June 21. 

True to his nature, Alvarez took the demotion in stride. He leaned on his commitment to growth rather than confidence in those days. “So, for me, [confidence] always there, but it’s not 100 percent. But we can say it is at 90 percent right now,” he told Will Sammon of the Athletic. “I just have to keep working, keep doing my thing, and that’s it.” 

Alvarez went scorched earth in Syracuse, hitting a Ruthian .299/.397/.836/1.233 with 11 HR and 24 RBI in 19 games. Defensively, he made significant strides, too. Syracuse bench coach J.P. Arencibia said he was in the “100th percentile in Triple-A (in framing).” Alvarez earned a promotion back to the bigs a few days after the All-Star break on July 21.

Insatiable Desire to Win

While in Syracuse, the coaching staff raved about his engagement with the pitching staff, his work on defense, and his openness to feedback. Alvarez also credited his time in Syracuse with helping his patience. Upon returning from Syracuse, Alvarez showed improvements and then some. In the 21 games after earning his promotion, Alvarez batted .323/.408/.645/1.054 with six doubles, four home runs, 13 RBI, and nine walks.

But the nature of catcher waits for no one. On August 17, Alvarez sprained the UCL in his right thumb. The bad news is that the injury would require off-season surgery. The good news is that players can opt to play through it, given they can manage the pain. The initial prognosis was 10-14 days of no baseball activities, followed by beginning some hitting exercises before graduating to a rehab assignment. This would put his return at some point in September. 

Seven days later, on August 24,  manager Carlos Mendoza said, “I couldn’t believe it. There’s no way this guy is swinging the bat.” Alvarez then, in an attempt to get back and help the club during the stretch run, began his rehab assignment 10 days after his initial injury.

On Wednesday, August 27, in the first at-bat of his rehab assignment, Alvarez ripped a double to left field. Later that evening, Alvarez suffered a fractured pinky on his left hand. 

Alvarez was back in the Syracuse lineup on Saturday, August 30. 

Six days later, on September 5, Alvarez was slotted into the eight spot as the Mets took the field at Great American Ballpark to begin an essential series against the Cincinnati Reds. 

“I don’t have time to think about it, so I just keep going and think about playing and winning. Those are the only things going through my head right now, so I don’t think about the pain.” Alvarez said when returning from the injured list.

“We have confidence that Alvy is going to do everything he possibly can to get through this, to contribute, to help us win,” said president of baseball operations David Stearns before adding, “But I’d be lying if I said I knew exactly how this was going to play out. This is an injury, and it’s always tough to know exactly how that’s going to progress.” 

The Rest of 2025 & Beyond

The grueling nature of being an MLB catcher has not given Alvarez many breaks. As a 22-year-old rookie in 2023, Alvarez flashed elite power and a surprisingly strong defensive game. However, both 2024 and 2025 have been marred by injuries. The timing of the latest ones came at a moment when it seemed like the young backstop was finally putting it all together. 

Yet, in the face of a shocked Mets coaching staff and front office, Alvarez is unperturbed. Not only is Alvarez playing, but he’s still playing with the same boyish grin. Despite injuries that would knock out most, Alvarez brings the same consistent high energy. Mets fans love to support a hard-working homegrown player. But Alvarez’s drive to show up to the stadium every day no matter the obstacle also shows the type of exemplary teammate he is.

Oh, and in his last three games, Alvarez has delivered two multi-hit performances, including a double and a home run. Alvarez is affectionately nicknamed ‘The Troll,” but with the way he’s battling through injuries, ‘The Iron Troll’ may be more apt.