Francisco Alvarez: Mets 2021 Minor League Player Of The Year

Francisco Alvarez might have set the tone for his season in spring training, when he homered against Jacob deGrom in a simulated game in Port St. Lucie, Fla.

The 19-year-old catcher was off and running, and he surpassed expectations for his first full minor league season.

Alvarez started the year at Low-A St. Lucie but was promoted to High-A Brooklyn after just 15 games. In 99 games he batted .272/.388/.554 with 24 home runs and 70 RBIs.

“He had a great year with the bat,” Mets farm director Jeremy Barnes said. “We weren’t really sure what it was going to be like at a first-year affiliate . . .”

“His bat was very impressive for us this year and he showed he had a good command of the strike zone for a 19-year-old kid and showed a ton of power. We knew he could hit, but I think what he did this year was pretty special.”

Alvarez is still developing behind the plate. He committed 12 errors in 59 games at catcher and was often used as the DH to ensure he wasn’t overloaded mentally and physically.

“He’s working on getting consistent with his stance and making sure that he can block balls more consistently,” Barnes said. “He shows that he’s got an elite arm, but it’s just refinement at this point, just making sure that he’s working on those soft skills and getting consistent . . . All the tools are there.”

Alvarez signed out of Venezuela in 2018 for $2.7 million, still the largest amount for an international amateur in franchise history. He appeared in the Futures Game this season and blasted a homer at Coors Field.

“(Alvarez) is so young, but you see all the talent,” Mets scout Tony De Francesco said. “His bat is his tool . . . he’s real aggressive, doesn’t get cheated.”