Carlos Alvarez Stats & Scouting Report

AB	988
AVG	.289
OBP	.411
SLG	.41
HR	11

Full name Carlos David Alvarez
Born 11/25/1985 in San Cristobal, Dominican Republic
Profile Ht.: 5'11" / Wt.: 175 / Bats: S / Throws: R

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

Though his $1.4 million bonus in 2006 remains controversial, Gonzalez started to give Washington a return on its investment in 2008. After hitting .245 in his 2007 pro debut, he repeated the Gulf Coast League and won the batting title with a .343 average. With a quiet swing and excellent plate discipline for his age, Gonzalez projects to hit for average with gap power and occasional home run pop. The Nationals got on him to improve his conditioning, and he firmed up his body some and added strength, which helped him drive more balls. He also made plenty of progress using the whole field from both sides of the plate. Defensively, he shows smooth actions and soft hands that give him an outside chance to stay at shortstop. Nicknamed "Smiley" in part for his energy and enthusiasm, he showed more vocal on-field leadership in 2008, though he's still far from fluent in English. Gonzalez's substandard range and arm strength are still likely to dictate an eventual move to second base. He's a below-average runner who lacks first-step quickness. If Gonzalez continues to get stronger, he could wind up as a quality all-around second baseman, similar to Jose Vidro but with less power. In the short term, he'll remain at shortstop and advance to low Class A.
Internally, the Nationals are divided on Gonzalez. Because they signed him for a $1.4 million bonus--far more than anyone else was willing to pay him--many club officials are reluctant to say anything critical about him, but there are serious questions about whether his fringy tools will allow him to stay at shortstop. His soft, sure hands and smooth actions are his best assets defensively, but his range is below average at short, particularly to his right. He played through a minor shoulder injury for most of 2007 and showed below-average arm strength. Even at full strength, his arm is likely better suited for second base. The Nationals tried to sell Gonzalez as a slick-fielding shortstop when they signed him, but in reality he profiles more as a switch-hitting second baseman with a line-drive bat, similar to Jose Vidro. Like most young switch-hitters, Gonzalez is a better hitter from the left side, with a fluid swing that stays inside the ball consistently. He needs to add strength in his wrists and forearms. His lower half has some thickness and he's a below-average runner. At this early stage of his career, Gonzalez is a contact hitter with advanced strike-zone judgment, but he projects for some gap power. He could get a shot at Hagerstown in 2008, though Vermont seems a more likely destination.
Nationals special assistant Jose Rijo first discovered Gonzalez when the shortstop was 14, and he played at Rijo's Dominican baseball academy for a year. Their close relationship--and a $1.4 million signing bonus--helped Washington beat out four teams for his services last summer. He impressed in Dominican instructional league during the fall. A switch-hitter, Gonzalez has a short stroke with a good swing path, and he knows the strike zone very well for his age. Though he's just a fringe-average runner, he has good range and a solid-average arm at shortstop, where his actions are quick and easy and his hands are special. He has amazing instincts and is exceptionally skilled. During warmups he'll occasionally perform tricks like flipping the ball to first base behind his back. A high-energy player whose enthusiasm for the game is contagious, he goes by the nickname "Smiley." Like most 17-year-olds, Gonzalez needs to add strength, and a conditioning program will help. He has a mature offensive approach for his age, but he still needs plenty of polish. Despite good bat speed, he has below-average power. Gonzalez will come to the United States for spring training and likely will make his pro debut in the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League, though he has a shot to go to low Class A.

Minor League Top Prospects

The Nationals shocked other clubs when they paid $1.4 million to sign Gonzalez out of the Dominican Republic in 2006, and he did nothing to shed the notion he was overpaid by hitting .245 in the GCL last season. He returned to league in 2008 and was much improved at the plate, winning the batting title at .343. A patient switch-hitter who fits at the top of the lineup, Gonzalez has advanced plate discipline and rarely chases anything out of the strike zone. He projects to hit for average, get on base and provide 10-15 homers per season as a big leaguer. "This was a big year for him to show people what he's capable of doing," Henley said. "He matured a lot mentally and physically and showcased his durability and tools." Scouts were unsure if Gonzalez could stay at the shortstop position after 2007. He also improved defensively this year, with better actions and footwork and softer hands. He has an average arm and adequate range, though he's probably a tick below-average runner.