Eddy Alvarez

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Chicago White Sox #28 prospect in 2016
  Despite signing as a 24-year-old nondrafted free agent in 2014 after dedicating his early 20s to speed skating, Alvarez's roots are planted firmly in baseball. He played at Miami's Columbus High through 2008 and nearly followed his older brother Nick, an outfielder who played professionally, to St. Thomas (Fla.). In the end, Alvarez dropped baseball to concentrate on speed skating. He nearly made the U.S. Olympic team in 2010, but when he didn't, he shifted his focus back to baseball and walked on to the Salt Lake CC team in 2011. Alvarez had a surgical procedure in March 2012 to repair 12 tears in the patellar tendons of both knees. Despite being immobilized for four weeks, he recovered to qualify for 2014 Olympic team and won a silver medal in the 5,000-meter relay. In his first full baseball season in 2015, Alvarez hit .296/.409/.424 with 88 walks and 53 stolen bases at two Class A levels. Because he is 5-foot-9 and has well below-average power, he has mastered the small-ball arts of bunting, hitting behind runners, stealing bases and working walks, and he rarely strikes out. While his arm is a bit short to play shortstop, he positions himself well and converts routine plays to profile as a second baseman. Alvarez will be 26 in 2016 and has no standout tool, but his competitive makeup has won over most everybody who has seen him play.