Francisco Alvarez

Alvarez didn't break camp with the Mets, but he was called up a week into the season and became the regular backstop, catching two-thirds of the club's games, along with seven games as the designated hitters. Alvarez fanned 26 percent of the time, which was in range of his minor league track record. However, his walk rate was just eight percent, considerably lower than his minor league pedigree. An above average exit velocity on fly balls supported bashing 25 homers. However, Alvarez's .222 BABIP, along with an above average strikeout rate rendered him a batting average liability. Some of the low BABIP was an unusually low line drive rate, along with a low BABIP on grounders. Both should improve this season, but Alvarez's average will still likely be detrimental to a fantasy lineup. On the other hand, his power is real, and his run production should pick up as the Mets offense should improve. Alvarez's defense and framing were excellent, though he had trouble controlling the running game. Alvarez should be among the leaders in homers from catchers, just make sure you can absorb his low average.

Generally considered a top-10 real-life prospect - although more divisive on fantasy rankings - Alvarez is best known for his impressive age-to-level advancement through the minors and huge raw power. He got his first MLB cup of coffee as a 20-year-old after slashing .260/.374/.510 with a 24.8 K%, 14.1 BB% and 36.3 Hard% across Double-A and Triple-A. Alvarez, who turned 21 in November, is well ahead of the typical catcher his age on the developmental path. He is also an oddity from a physical standpoint, as he is generously listed at 5-foot-10 and a similarly favorable 233 pounds. We've seen boxy catchers have success, but there's no denying he is a 20-grade athlete who figures to get even less agile over the coming years. His hard-hit data and in-game performance suggest he could hit double-digit homers as a rookie, but it seems like a neutral batting average would be a best-case scenario. He will always be more valuable in OBP leagues. Alvarez underwent ankle surgery in October but is expected to be ready to compete for the starting catcher job in spring training.

Alvarez quickly showed that he was too advanced for an age-appropriate assignment to Low-A, hitting .417 with two home runs, five doubles, 15 walks and seven strikeouts in 15 games before getting a bump to High-A, where he was the only qualified 19-year-old hitter. His production there was still excellent, albeit less outrageous. He hit .247/.351/.538 with 22 home runs, a 12.0 BB% and a 24.6 K% in 84 games. Given how stocky and slow he is, it's not surprising that his 49.8 Pull% and 45.2 GB% resulted in a .260 BABIP. It's unrealistic to expect Alvarez to be much better than a neutral fantasy contributor in batting average, but that's still a strong outcome for a primary catcher with at least plus power. His defense behind the plate isn't amazing, but he will stick at the position. Given how quickly he has moved up the ladder and how productive he has been, Alvarez is one of the few catching prospects with a realistic chance to be a top-five fantasy option at the position. He will reach the majors in 2023 or 2024.

Alvarez was the youngest player at the Mets' alternate training site and received rave reviews for his work on both sides of the ball. At 5-foot-11, 220 pounds, he is physically mature and his strength shows up in the form of plus all-fields power and a plus arm. His hit tool and approach are pretty advanced, but he will probably be power over hit in the majors. He was so good offensively in 2019 as a 17-year-old that some outside the organization speculated that he might be moved off catcher to fast-track his bat to the majors, but the Mets are keeping him behind the dish, which means he will need a couple more years in the minors to master the position. Evaluating catchers for dynasty leagues, especially ones who are multiple years away from contributing, is always a challenge, but he clearly has the upside to be a top-five fantasy catcher for a decade.

This offseason's catching prospect du jour, Alvarez was aggressively assigned to the Gulf Coast League as a 17-year-old, but that lasted just seven games (281 wRC+) before he needed to be given an even more ludicrous assignment. Six months younger than the next youngest hitter in the Appalachian League, Alvarez still managed to thrive, logging a 129 wRC+, 11.3 BB% and 21.9 K% while using the whole field (35.7 Oppo%) and lifting the ball with ease (38.1 GB%). The fact that he is a catching prospect is what makes this insane, as catchers typically lag a couple years behind other position players on their march to the big leagues, due to the time and effort needed to become a capable defender. Alvarez can improve his framing, but nobody questions his ability to stick behind the plate. He could be a 60- or 70-grade hitter with plus power and good on-base skills, and his bat should keep him on a fast track.