Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Sometimes, the best things come to those who wait, and that waiting has finally paid off for the Mets and their top prospect, Francisco Álvarez.

Álvarez, the rookie catcher for the Mets and highly touted prospect, started his season off slowly but showed off his power on Sunday night during the game in San Francisco. He hit a solo home run over the left-field wall, which helped the Mets tie the game against the Giants in the sixth inning. Despite their efforts, the Mets couldn’t find the go-ahead run and ultimately lost to the Giants 5-4 at Oracle Park. The team finished their 10-game road trip with a 7-3 record and will be returning to Citi Field on Tuesday.

When talking to reporters, Mets manager Buck Showalter praised the young catcher. “That’s good for him,”  Showalter told reporters. “They called a couple of bad pitches on him that I’m sure frustrated him, but that was good to see something happen to him positively from a offensive standpoint so maybe on the off day he can dwell on that a little bit and come in on Tuesday and continue to get closer to what we know he’s capable of.”

Prior to the home run, Álvarez’s first two at-bats in the game were unsuccessful, resulting in him hitting into an inning-ending double play and striking out with the bases loaded both times. Notably, the home run was the first extra-base hit by a Mets catcher this season. After a call up late last season, which included his first major league home run, Álvarez did not make the team out of camp this year, as Omar Narvaez and Tomas Nido were selected as the catching tandem. Injuries struck though as Narvaez was sidelined with a left calf strain, which opened the door for Álvarez to step in and garner major league playing time. Although it hasn’t shown much, there are many things that the young catcher can bring to the team and his home run Sunday night is evident of that.

This season, he has played eight games, and has four hits out of 27 at-bats, resulting in a batting average of .148. Additionally, he has scored two runs and two RBIs. Even with his struggles, the pure and raw skill set Álvarez possesses is still showing through every time he steps onto the field. ESPN noted during the broadcast that Álvarez hit the ball just about three feet off the ground, which showcases his ability to hit the ball hard wherever it’s pitched.

Coming onto the season, Álvarez was listed as the Mets number one prospect and the number one prospect in Major League Baseball’s Top 100 list, and for good reason. Álvarez’s swings in the minor leagues were some of the most entertaining to watch, as he utilizes his impressive strength and bat speed to generate quick and deadly swings that tap into his incredible light tower power. His exit velocities and home run totals are both jaw dropping as a result. Despite being a catcher, Álvarez knows the strike zone well and has a keen ability to draw walks, but still needs to work on his overall swing decisions as a young hitter, with that last note being something major league pitchers are currently exploiting. However, the combination of his hard contact and constantly improving approach with his excellent work ethic, could ultimately make him an above-average hitter.

Although the Mets have noted Álvarez’s improvement in framing pitches behind the plate, him being limited in the athleticism department means that he remains a below-average defensive catcher. While his previous ankle injury may further hamper his development, his pure arm strength still gives him a defensive weapon for his arsenal. Despite his limitations, at only 21 years old, Álvarez enters this season with a bat ready for the big show, and if he continues to refine his work behind the plate, he has the potential to become a multi-time All-Star.

Considering the Mets have not had a home grown talent behind the plate in a very long time, the emergence of Alvarez becoming the next big power thread behind the dish is a welcoming sight. His home run on Sunday night is a welcoming sign for what Mets fans hope, is something they can hope to witness for years to come.