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The Mets don’t have a lot to hang their hat on these days, as the team has lost 12 of its last 15 games. And, while New York was handed another loss on Tuesday night, there was at least one silver lining. Perhaps it’ll get lost in the mix of things as New York’s starting pitching continues to put its offense in early holes, but Francisco Álvarez is finally starting to find his groove at the plate.

While it came in a losing effort, the 21-year-old Álvarez hit two home runs in Tuesday’s 7-6 loss. His first home run of the evening, which was also the Mets’ first hit of Tuesday’s contest, came in the third inning against Cincinnati starter, Luke Weaver, and had an exit velocity of 105.8 mph. Álvarez would later tag Weaver for his second home run of the game in the sixth inning. Álvarez’s third homer of the season had an exit velocity of 101.9 mph and helped spark a comeback effort from New York following Buck Showalter’s ejection.

At 21 years and 171 days old, Álvarez is the fifth-youngest player since 1900 with a multi-home run game while playing catcher, according to Major League Baseball’s Sarah Langs. Joe Mauer was the most recent catcher to accomplish this feat in 2004 when the former American League MVP and six-time All-Star was just 21 years and 72 days old. Álvarez is in some elite company considering Mauer is one of the greatest catchers of the modern era and will be eligible for the National Baseball Hall of Fame for the first time in 2024.

According to our own Michael Mayer, Álvarez joined players in Mets history such as José  Reyes, David Wright, Darryl Strawberry, Ed Kranepool and Ron Swoboda, as those younger than 22 years old with a multi-homer game. Again, elite company for the young catcher.

Offense was never the concern for the young Álvarez, instead, it was how he would adapt behind the plate. However, it’s been the opposite to start his first full season in the Majors. According to SIS Baseball, Álvarez is among the top catchers at pitch-framing this season, as he’s gotten a lot more strikes above his expected strike totals. That was on display during Tuesday’s game against the Reds, as was his power with the bat.

An offensive boost at the catcher position is something the Mets’ lineup so desperately needed. In just 19 games, Álvarez has already matched Tomás Nido and James McCann‘s home run totals from the season before. Nido and McCann each hit three home runs during the 2022 season, playing in 98 and 61 games, respectively.

Álvarez has finally started to find his groove at the plate and at the right time. While the Mets are struggling to win games, the offense isn’t exactly the reason why the team is currently two games under. 500. At the same time, a power surge from Álvarez is much-needed for a team that ranks just 22nd in the league in home runs. Álvarez is showing just how special he can be, as his talent behind and at the plate is undeniable.