Position: UT
Height: 5’8”
Weight: 175 lbs
Bats/Throws: R/R
Born: 03/29/1997
College: Washington State University
Drafted: 22nd round, 664th Overall, 2019
Bonus: $2,000
40-man Roster: No
Rule 5 Eligible: Yes
Minor League Free Agency: 2025
Options Left: 3
Overview
Alvarez was an honorable mention at shortstop for the All-Pac-12 team his last two seasons. He attended junior college for one year, then was a three-year starter for Washington State. His hitting was very consistent and unspectacular, as he posted an OPS of .755, .711 and .756 from his sophomore to his senior season. He had little power in college, but generally made contact. As a senior, he signed quickly. As a pro, he’s hit for some power, but tends to sell out, trying to pull everything, with the result that he hasn’t hit for average and strikes out a lot. He’s a solid defender who plays all over the field.
2019-21
Alvarez started off in the GCL, not hitting much against the younger competition. After missing the pandemic season, he stayed in extended spring training until the Pirates sent him to high A at the beginning of July. After a weak first month, he exploded in August for a 385/479/564 line. Then in September he hit five home runs and posted an .858 OPS. A lot of the hitting was attributable to the Greensboro ballpark; he had five homers and a 1.137 OPS at home, two and .693 on the road. He split his time evenly between second, third and short, and pitched three times.
2022-23
Alvarez kept up the power breakout with a big early season in Altoona. He also had an excellent year as a base stealer, becoming the first 20/20 player in Curve history, with 20 home runs and 21 steals in 22 tries. His hitting did drop off steadily during the season, as shown by his month-by-month OPS:
April: 1.025
May: .989
June: .759
July: .743
August: .647
September: .567
On defense, Alvarez played third, second, left and short, in that order of frequency. He did not commit many errors.
In 2023, Alvarez stayed at Altoona and had the same year as 2022, without the big early-season performance. Overall, he hit 215/285/345, with a far lower walk rate and, obviously, far less power. He even mostly stopped stealing bases. He divided his time roughly evenly among second, third and short.
2024
Apart from a brief injury and rehab, Alvarez spent 2024 with Indianapolis. He had a good year at the plate, batting 271/360/417. He seemingly toned down his approach and his walk rate went up. He played mainly second, third and short in roughly equal amounts.
Stats
Transactions
June 5, 2019: Drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 22nd round, 664th overall pick; signed on June 13.