Francisco Alvarez/Photo by Allen Greene Photography
As we head towards the 2020 season, MLB Pipeline has prepared their annual list of prospects from each organization which they believe will have a breakout season. For the New York Mets, MLB Pipeline selected Francisco Alvarez, who is currently their fifth-best prospect in the Mets farm system.
Last year, Alvarez made his professional debut. In 42 games for Gulf Coast and Kingsport, he would hit .317/.407/.510 with 10 doubles, seven homers, and 26 RBI. There were positive reports on his catching ability with him showing more agility and framing skills than originally anticipated.
This performance was all the more impressive when you consider he was just 17 years old. While impressive, it was not entirely unexpected. After all, the Mets did give him a $2.7 million bonus which surpassed the bonuses previously given to Amed Rosario and Ronny Mauricio.
With this strong season behind him, MLB Pipeline noted he has received “rave reviews from those inside the organization.” In terms of their own analysis, MLB Pipeline sees Alvarez as “already perhaps the best pure hitter in New York’s system, with defensive chops behind the plate that could make him an impactful two-way catcher.”
In addition to Alvarez, Toronto Blue Jays prospect Simeon Woods Richardson was named a breakout candidate, calling him “a high-ceiling pitching prospect, armed with a plus fastball-curveball combo, an advanced changeup and a mature overall feel for his craft that could help him move quickly through the minors.”
With Woods Richardson on this list, it is interesting to contemplate who would have been tabbed as the breakout candidate had the Mets not obtained Marcus Stroman. Regardless of the result, Alvarez has so far proven to be worth the bonus he received, and he is in a position to further impress in 2020.
