One of the more exciting players entering 2023 for the New York Mets is the organization’s top prospect, Francisco Alvarez.
Not only is Alvarez the Mets’ top prospect, but he was MLB.com’s number-one rated prospect in all of baseball.
The young and talented bat turned just 21 in November and offers the Mets loads of upside in 2023 and beyond.
He joined the Mets signing as an international free agent in 2018. Alvarez played 253 games in the minor leagues and batted .274. From a talent standpoint, Alvarez is well-known for his power, something the Mets will need next year. Alvarez hit 24 home runs in 2021, followed by 27 last year in the minor leagues.
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Francisco Alvarez anticipates being on New York Mets Opening Day roster:
Alvarez recently stated the following to journalist Cesar Sequera Ramos with regard to his opening day status
“I am 100% sure that I will be on the Mets’ Opening Day roster.”
With unknowns, this is exciting to hear. Alvarez did gain some major league experience at the end of last year. He played in five games, totaling 14 plate appearances. Alvarez did end up only going 2-12, but one of his hits was a big home run, showing off exactly why he is so highly regarded.
With his talented bat, which the Mets could use, the questions surrounding his Opening Day status all relate to his unknown development defensively. If Alvarez could show growth behind the plate, there is no reason to think why he would not be on the roster to open the season.
On the flip side, should his defense remain a concern, the Mets would still be wise to keep his bat on their roster. The Mets have two catchers who can play behind the plate in Omar Narvaez and Tomas Nido. Add that with the Mets’ right-handed designated hitter role being another question, Alvarez, with his upside, fits logically for this team’s initial roster.
In the end, while the experience gained in 2022 was minimal, at least Alvarez gained some reps. Knowing the Mets’ offense needs more talent and, particularly, power, the best trait Alvarez offers, there is no reason why he shouldn’t be with the team to begin the year. Alvarez is regarded as the top prospect in baseball and should have a role with the Mets as, ideally, one of their top right-handed designated hitters from the start of this upcoming season.