Photo by Allen Greene Photography

17-year-old Mets catching prospect Francisco Alvarez capped off a standout first year of professional baseball by being added to Baseball America’s top 100 list on Friday. Alvarez slotted in at number 98, where he joined incumbents Ronny Mauricio (55) and Andres Gimenez (79)

“The Mets’ top international signing last year, Alvarez’s defense and power improved dramatically in his first year of pro ball and have turned him into one of the most promising all-around young catchers in the minors,” BA wrote.

The 5-foot-11-inch, 220-pound Venezuelan garnered a franchise-record bonus of $2.9 million in the summer of 2018 and made his debut this past June in the Gulf Coast League.

It took just seven games for Alvarez to force a promotion to the Kingsport Mets, where he spent the remainder of the season. In 131 at-bats, he hit .282/.377/.443 with five home runs and 16 RBI. Baseball America named him to their Appalachian League postseason all-star team.

Alvarez will be 18 for the entirety of the 2020 season. Given that the organization pushed prized teenagers like Mauricio and Mark Vientos to the full-season level this past year, Alvarez is likely headed for a similar fate.